Mumbai: Currently, he is keeping the wickets for Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL) but for the last eight seasons, he has donned six different jerseys. Meet Parthiv Patel – India’s one-time wicketkeeper before Mahendra Singh Dhoni arrived.
The 30-year-old has appeared in 89 matches overall and as luck would have it, he played as a batsman under Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings (CSK) from 2008-2010. In 26 matches, he hit three half-centuries and scored 516 runs. The inaugural edition of the tournament was his best batting performance so far. He opened the innings with Stephen Fleming – who is now coaching CSK.
(Photo: AFP)
Nonetheless, Parthiv’s next stint was a one-season affair at the now defunct Kochi Tuskers Kerala. He was also the vice-captain of the team led by Mahela Jayawardene and wore the gloves too. He scored 202 runs, took eight catches and pulled off a stumping dismissal. The orange jersey did not last long as BCCI suspended the franchise for breaching their agreement on bank gurantee to cover the annual fee.
(Photo: AFP)
In 2012, Parthiv came to Deccan Chargers (now Sunrisers Hyderabad) but the team did not do well and finished eighth out of nine teams. Later, due to financial constraints, the owners sold the team too but Parthiv found a place in the new team too. He had scored 194 runs, his highest score being 45, and had five catches and a stumping under his belt.
(Photo: AFP)
For Sunrisers, he maintained his decent record. He was never too dangerous or too hard-hitting. Parthiv is known for being calm and classy. He scored 294 runs along with a half-century.
(Photo: PTI)
In 2014, Royal Challengers Bangalore roped him and he took 11 catches out of the 12 games he turned out for, along with a stumping. Even with the bat, he scored 205 runs including a half-century.
(Photo: BCCI)
This year, with Mumbai Indians, he has been giving a good start to the team with his artistic drives and flicks. Four matches to go in the league stage and Parthiv has already scored 232 runs.
(Photo: BCCI)
Next year, Kolkata Knight Riders?
