Recently Cricket España´s Director of Cricket Harmit Phull (Rico) put some questions to brother and sister, Dhruv and Darshita Koorans Paul from Madrid Junior Cricket Club, two of Spain’s promising youngsters ….
Rico : Hi guys, thanks a million to agreeing to take part in this on line interview, let get started:
Rico : How old are you ?
Darshita – I am 15 years old.
Dhruv – I am 13 years old.
Rico : At what age did you start playing cricket, and where?
Darshita -I was 8 years old when I started playing cricket in Bangladesh.
Dhruv – I was 7 years old when I first started playing cricket.
Rico : What is your first memory of cricket?
Darshita – My first memory of playing cricket is when my father and brother were trying to teach me the basics about batting.
Dhruv – My first memory of cricket is when I first learned how to bowl.
Rico : Under normal circumstances, where and when do you practice playing cricket?
Darshita: when I’m not playing cricket, I practice by playing catch with my brother in our house. During the cricket season we are lucky to have weekly training sessions organised by Lewis Clark of Madrid Cricket Club
Dhruv -When I am not playing cricket, or practicing with Madrid CC, I go to a park and play with my friends there.
Rico : Do you see yourself as a batter or bowler?
Darshita – I see myself more of a bowler than a batter.
Dhruv – I see myself as a bowler.
Rico : What, where and when do you think was your best performance to date?
Darshita – In my opinion, my best performance was my first time playing in La Manga in 2017. I was the only girl on the team and I took my first wicket there.
Dhruv – My best performance was when I bowled a three wicket maiden, it was also a hat-trick, I was in a cricket academy, this was in the Gulshan youth club in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Rico : Why do you like to play cricket?
Darshita – I like to play cricket because I enjoy spending time with the people I play with.
Dhruv –. I like to play cricket because it is fun and I meet new people.
Rico : What is the best thing about cricket in Spain?
Darshita – The best thing about cricket in Spain is the team mates and the people I have met.
Dhruv -The best thing I like about cricket in Spain is the cricket community.
Rico : What if anything is the most dissapointing thing about cricket in Spain?
Darshita – The most disappointing thing about cricket in Spain is the lack of resources we have at hand and access to pitches.
Dhruv – The most disappointing thing about cricket in Spain is the lack of resources to play matches in Madrid.
Rico : What’s your most memorable cricket experience in Spain?
Darshita -My most memorable cricket experience in Spain is the tournaments/matches I have played here at La Manga and Cartama.
Dhruv – My most memorable cricket experience in Spain was my first cricket tournament at the Cartama Oval, Malaga Spain.
Rico : As a player, where would you like to see yourself in 15 years time?
Darshita – In 15 years time, I would like to be fit and play in local teams where ever I go whether that’s on university or while I’m employed.
Dhruv -. In 15 years time I see myself playing for my university’s cricket team.
Rico : Who is your favourite player and why?
Darshita – My favourite player is Mithali Raj because when she was asked a sexist question in an interview she stood up for herself and retaliated back.
Dhruv – My favourite player is Rohit Sharma because he shows skill and class in every stroke.
Rico : If you could have dinner tonight with any famous person in the world, who would it be and why?
Darshita – If I could I have dinner with a famous person, it would have to Ariana Grande. I would choose her because she is a young, influential woman who has gone through immense amounts of pain in such a short period of time.
Dhruv – A famous person I would have dinner with is James Altucher because he is an inspiration for everybody. I think this because he is self made and determined to reach his goals
Rico : What effect has Covid19 had on your young lives, for better and worse?
Darshita – CoVid-19 has had a lot of effect on young lives and most of these effects are negative. For example, we aren’t able to see our friends on a daily basis anymore and the amount of physical activity is way too low. However, there are some positives effects of COVID-19 as well, for example, as a result of online/remote learning, we are forced to take responsibility of our learning. Furthermore, we are being forced to control our anger and irritation that is slowly building up inside us all.
Dhruv – CoVid19 has interrupted my growth in education as well as extra-curriculums.
Rico : If you had a message to all people your age during these difficult times, what would it be?
Darshita – I would tell all the young people that during these difficult times it is very important to keep healthy both physically and mentally. Stay hydrated, get a sufficient amRount of sleep everyday, take some time to get off screens and focus on your well-being. Also, take this time to get to know your family members better and create some nice memories with them!
Dhruv -. My message would be, “Continue working hard and this will all pass”
Rico : Thank you both very much for your fantastic responses. Keep practicing together at home, remain safe and well, no doubt we will meet again at a cricket venue somewhere.
Harmit Phull – Director of Junior Cricket
Cricket España
