Patience and resilience have helped Jeet Raval stay strong by Bipin Dani

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Player:	JA Raval
Event:	New Zealand in South Africa 2016

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DateLine: 12th June 2016

 

Mumbai, June 12 : India-born Jeet Raval, who has been included in New Zealand team has to thank Kit Perera for his cricket career in New Zealand. Besides being a chef, Kit Perera is also a cricket coach in Auckland.

 

"It was by chance that one day when I was at a Petrol station in Auckland, the manager asked me if I was involved in coaching as I was wearing my North Middlesex C C sweater, Anyway the manager explained to me that there was a man coming from India to work at the petrol station and that his son is very talented, so I gave my contact details and asked the manager to pass it on to Mr. Ashok Raval, Jeet’s Father", Perera, speaking exclusively over his mobile from Auckland, said.

 

"A few months later I had a call from Ashok and I invited Jeet to come and train with the premier team and immediately I knew that he had great potential".

 

"Jeet, after arriving from Gujarat, was accepted to Avondale College and he began his schooling there and continued to play".

 

"He played for Under-17 and Under-19 and A teams and Emerging players and made full use of his opportunities".

 

"Jeet made full use of the opportunities his parents had given him in New Zealand by getting a university degree in accounting and currently he works for BDO Spicers Accounting firm during off season", Perera added.

 

"I am still involved as the specialist batting coach at Suburbs New Lynn Cricket Club and I am always there to give technical and mental advice when needed for these guys", he further added.

 

Jeet Raval is a hard working boy, according to Barrington Rowland, his another mentor in New Zealand.

 

"Well all I can say he is one of the most focused hardworking cricketers who deserves this opportunity. His patience and resilience have helped him stay strong and keep performing for the last 7 seasons and finally get a break", he says. .

 

"He has great family support from both his Mom (Kalpana) and Dad (his Dad Ashok Raval played Volleyball at a high level) and sister. He recently got married to Surabhi as well who supports him".

 

"He also plays for a very good cricket club in Auckland called Suburbs New Lynn Cricket Club this is where I met him 8 years ago. He always was keen to learn and get better".

 

"He is a very humble guy and always remembers his roots. He used to be a medium pacer at under 14s Gujarat before moving over to New Zealand where he worked on his batting", Rowland concluded.

 

Jeet is in England, where he heard this good news.

 

(Article: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author only.
Copyright © 2016 Bipin Dani)