CHENNAI: Daryl S Ferrario first made a mark playing for Don Bosco (Egmore) as an opening batsman, who could also bowl spin. He has come a long way since, having been named in the India U-19 team courtesy hard work and single-minded dedication.
The national junior team selection committee — headed by former medium pacer and India U-19 coach Venkatesh Prasad — on Thursday named Daryl in the 15-member squad that will play in the Youth Asia Cup in Sri Lanka next month. Last month, Daryl was also picked for the U-19 Challenger Tournament.
“I’m happy to be named in the squad. If given an opportunity, I will certainly give my best shot,” said Daryl. “Perhaps my good show in the Vinoo Mankad Trophy and the U-19 Challenger helped me get the nod. I wish to improve with every game that I play. My immediate goal is to play for Kerala in the Ranji Trophy, and then take it from there.”
It was with encouragement shown by his school’s management — physical training teacher Albert Sam, in particular — that Daryl began to take the game seriously. He then grabbed headlines in the various age-group and inter-school tournaments, including the ones conducted by the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA).
“Daryl is a dedicated and hard-working player. He has a flair for technique and is a very good player of spin,” his coach S Shanmugam.
Daryl will join the likes of Arjan Kripal Singh, Tanveer Jabbar and Dinesh Karthik as yet another cricketer from Don Bosco to be selected for the India U-19 squad. The lanky youngster has led Tamil Nadu in the Vijay Merchant Trophy, and also did well in the Junior Super Kings inter-school tournament, conducted by Chennai Super Kings. Despite all that, he found shifting base to Kerala a more sensible move, considering the presence of heavyweights in the Tamil Nadu Ranji Trophy team. He represents Ernakulam in the Kerala Cricket Association’s mixed age-group competition.
“Passion for the game and ambition to go up the ladder made him move to Kerala. The senior Tamil Nadu top-order is packed, and it is difficult for a youngster to make inroads. The gestation period could be long. But, he still plays in the TNCA Kancheepuram district league’s first division for Little Hearts,” said Shanmugam.
“Daryl is a pretty good off-spinner, and he relishes the prospect of bowling to left-handers. Right from a very young age he has troubled southpaws,“ added Shanmugam.
ashok.v@newindianexpress.com