Parikshit Bhati: DPL's youngest buy at 14 set to emulate Vaibhav Suryavanshi

Just like 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi created a strong impression in the Indian Premier League (IPL) this season, his age-mate Parikshit Singh Bhati is looking to follow the footsteps of the Indian cricket’s latest teenage sensation when the Delhi Premier League (DPL) comes around about a fortnight from now.

Parikshit was picked by New Delhi Tigers during the auction at a base price of Rs 1 lakh, making him the youngest buy in the DPL auction.  

So fond was he of cricket at an early age that he approached an academy at the age of four only to be told to return two years later.

“I went to academy at 4 and the coach said I should come back at 6,” says Parikshit, who is a resident of Karkardooma in East Delhi. He studies at Navjeewan Adarsh Public Senior Secondary School in Shahdara after moving there from Keshav Vidya Mandir Model School in Mehrauli.

Parikshit Singh Bhati

He practices in Lajpat Nagar under Vishal Tyagi and plays for Rehman Cricket Club.

“I was in a state of shock after getting picked by New Delhi Tigers. I just couldn’t believe it,” says the top-order batsman.

Parikshit’s performance in DDCA Open League (40-overs) has been good. He scored 439 runs at 62 in nine matches for Rehman Cricket Club.  He also took 12 wickets with his off-spin.  

In the only T20 match he has played so far, he has scored 87 not out and picked one wicket.

“I began playing cricket in October, 2016. I used to watch cricket and got interested. Dad introduced me to it. He ensures that he buys everything I need,” says the right-hander who will turn 15 in September.  

Parikshit turned up for the under-16 trials in october last year, and he made scores of 82 off 101 balls, 61 off 66 balls and 212 not out off 158 balls in the league matches. He then scored 37 and 141 in the final trial matches. The aggregate of 533 in five matches should have been enough for him. But guess what became the stumbling block? He was underage by 29 days! Therefore, not picked.

A good performance this time may propel him to the squad.    

“Virat Kohli is my idol. When I began watching cricket, I liked his cover drive. I used to copy it. He is so passionate, he wants to win every match. That is what I like about him.”

Tags : Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Parikshit Bhati, DDCA, New Delhi Tigers, DPL, Cricket, Delhi