The Mumbai Indians (MI) have acquired the service of Baroda’s Shivalik Sharma who could be another potential star. However, he has played only 10 T20 games for Baroda so far but MI believed in the youngster and picked him under their wings. However, Shivalik wasn’t picked in the first part of the auction as his name arrived only at the backend during the accelerated round and almost gave up hope.
However, speaking exclusively to Sportskeeda, Shivalik Sharma said: “Initially my name didn’t come up in the first round and so I thought I wasn’t going to get picked. There was an accelerated round but I didn’t have any hopes. My family persuaded me to keep believing and then finally when my name came and I was picked, everyone was thrilled.”I wasn’t as emotional as I couldn’t believe at first that I was picked. For the next couple of days, it took time to let it sink in that Mumbai Indians have picked me.”
However, Shivalik Sharma shared his experience of being called by Mumbai Indians for the trials. He also opined on how former Indian wicketkeeper Kiran More, who has been a key part of the Mumbai Indians think tank in unearthing talents, backed the youngster as well.
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He said: “Yes MI did call me for trials and there was everyone there. Kiran More sir motivated me a lot and backed me to do well. I got confidence when he told me to keep doing what I have done till now and not take any pressure.”
While Shivalik Sharma’s performance is not great at the moment, he is grateful that he could help his team in whichever way possible. In eight innings at the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2023, Shivalik hit 114 runs in the 85 balls he faced, striking at 134.11 as well. He was also able to score 167 runs in six matches in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2023 including a fifty as well.
“My confidence went to the next level when I performed in SMAT. I got this belief that I belonged to this level. The mindset from my end has always been strong and I have always wanted to keep growing by performing not just in SMAT, but also in Vijay Hazare Trophy and Ranji Trophy and work towards my dream. I am really grateful to God for the good things that have happened to me of late.”
