The wicketkeeper-batsman recollects telling his Mumbai teammates that he was going to be in the side for the long time during his initiation speech.
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In the Indian domestic circuit, Mumbai are the undisputed kings. With a staggering 41 Ranji Trophy titles and three Vijay Hazare trophies, there’s no one who comes close to Mumbai’s dominance. The team that blooded the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Sunil Gavaskar, Vijay Merchant, Dilip Vengsarkar and Rohit Sharma has been renowned for producing cricketing stalwarts that go on to immortalise the game.
Photo: Aditya Tare/InstagramRepresenting Mumbai in the domestic circuit is a matter of pride and valour for any budding cricketer who has grown playing in the maidans and gullies of this city. A 20-year-old Aditya Tare felt the same pride and jubilation when he was called up to the Mumbai squad for the Vijay Hazare Trophy in 2008.
“Whenever a youngster makes his debut for the team, he has to give an introductory speech and I remember saying that I don’t feel any pressure playing at his level, and I will stay in this team for a long time and thankfully now it’s been almost ten years and I’m still an integral part of the team,” remembers Tare.
Tare made his debut in 2008, under Amol Mazumdar in the Vijay Hazare Trophy in a side that included the likes of Ajit Agarkar and Ramesh Pawar. The wicketkeeper-batsman also remembers the senior players being pleasantly surprised with his initiation speech, while simultaneously reminding him ‘Just wait for a little while, you’ll feel a lot of pressure in this dressing room.’
Despite having a forgettable few games early on, Tare’s ambition remained undeterred and when opportunities arose in the subsequent Ranji Trophy – the tournament Tare always dreamt of playing – he made his mark almost immediately, scoring a match-winning 80 against Rajasthan in just his third Ranji match.
Since then, there has been no looking back for the Chembur-born wicketkeeper who has cemented his place in the Mumbai setup, even going to captain the side for more than two years.
“It’s been a terrific experience playing for Mumbai, playing with the likes of Agarkar and Pawar in their peak; I’ve got to learn a lot of things,” says Tare. “It’s been a great journey for me; and I’m really happy with the way my Mumbai career has panned out.”
