Attarwala with lasting fragrance

Coming from Boiser who couldn’t afford a bowling shoes as a school kid, Atif Attarwala has come a long way. The 26-year left-arm medium pacer was the man-of-the-match in the recently concluded final in the second edition of T20 Mumbai League.

The allrounder’s effort meant North Mumbai Panthers led by Prithvi Shaw won their maiden title. In fact it was second trophy for the 26-year-old as many editions. He had played his part in the last year’s final for Mumbai North East Triumph Knights.

Atif had taken two wickets for Triumph Knights in the penultimate over conceding mere three runs in the previous season’s finale.

This MPL, Attarwala was in good rhythm throughout taking regular intervals at crucial junctures. His three wickets in the final including prize scalps of Hersh Tank and Jay Bista killed SoBo SuperSonics chase and showed he is a big match player with calm composure.

He finished with second top wicket-taker in the tournament with 12 wickets in seven matches. He made valuable contributions with the bat turning a couple of matches with big hits.

The success at Wankhede stadium in front of healthy crowds was followed by his consistent showing in the top city tournaments like Talim Shield, Purshottam Shield and Police Shield. He took roughly 35 wickets in these three tournaments while representing clubs like Parkophene and Payyade.

“I had worked hard on my fitness, done power training and developed few more variations in my bowling. Last year, I played in bits and pieces before playing in the final. This year, I got regular chances and it helped me to give my best. I am thankful to coach and team management for that,” he said.

Last couple of years have been fruitful for Attarwala who has been regularly knocking doors on the senior Mumbai team. “I have been among the top wicket takers in club level tournaments. The performance has been noticed as I have been part of the Ranji Probables for last two seasons. I am getting there and hopefully I can represent Mumbai in all three formats in coming season and be a consistent performer,” Atif said with confidence.

The success hasn’t come overnight for the gutsy cricketer who carried on with his passion of cricket despite many hindrances. His talent didn’t remain in hiding as he represented Tarapur Vidyamandir School in Giles Shield and started picking wickets against better oppositions.

But his rise turned into stress as he was asked to get spiked shoes to get better grip during bowling run up for his own good. His father’s monthly income matched the cost of the shoes which took her emotional mother to former Ranji player Rajesh Sutar who owned a sports shop.

It was a harsh reality check for Attarwala and he thought he can’t put burden on his family. But it was just the start of journey for the hard working all-rounder.

“I took a six-wicket haul in Giles Shield against Shardashram and the moment I reached home, to my surprise I could see those brand new spike shoes lying wrapped for me! Sutar sir helped me a lot and I could pursue cricket,” Atif said.

But taking morning 5 am trains from Boisar to South Mumbai to play matches and come back around 6.30 pm in evening was making his parents apprehensive despite consistent encouragement. The solution came when he was playing in ELF Vengsarkar U14 selection tournament and took four wickets in his debut match. There he was noticed by Dinesh Lad who coaches in Swami Vivekanand International School (SVIS), Borivali and is father of current Ranji skipper Siddesh Lad and school coach of Indian cricketer Rohit Sharma.

“I remember when I did well in ELF tournament, Dinesh sir came to be and offered to study in SVIS. I was blank, I didn’t knew that he was Rohit Sharma’s coach, who was going to represent India in Under -19 World Cup. But he convinced my parents and I  received freeship from SVIS Director Yogesh Patel. He also gave me place in his home to avoid hectic travelling. I stayed with his family for five years and his wife Deepali took great care of me,” said Attarwala, who now resides in Andheri.

“For SVIS I took six wickets for four runs to bundle Shardashram for 14 runs in second innings and we won the Harris Shield Elite division match outright despite conceding first innings lead,” he recollected.

He went on to represent Mumbai in all junior age groups from U-15 to U-23. but a grave back injury threatened his rise. “I went through some severe injuries during my U-15. It was stress reaction in my back and it affected me a lot. I was able to make comeback through hard work and Lad sir’s guidance. He is the person I fall back even now when I want to discuss my bowling or batting or I am going through some kind of stress or anxiety,” he signed off.