Star batsman Adrian Barath has been awarded the Morning Panchayat Individual of the year 2010. Barath, who scored 100 runs against Australia, was presented with the award for his accomplishments in cricket at the 106.1FM studio yesterday morning. Commenting on that game, he said he was "a bit concerned" because the world cricketing stars he adored when he was a child are now his opponents in the game. "I did not expect to score 100 against Australia. "I always wanted to score a debut 100, I didn't expect it to come against Australia. I was actually supposed to debut against Bangladesh. I was thinking that was the perfect opportunity, you know how that went.
"Against Australia it came up(the debut), and at the end of the day, it is one of the toughest opposition in the world. They have not been at their best at the current moment, but over the years they have shown that they are a team that doesn't back down they fight right down to the end. I really didn't expect to come against Australia. "Looking around while I was batting I was seeing Ricky Ponting, Michael Hussey. You grow up looking at these guys," he recalled.
The 20-year-old said as a young person he set his goals and planned what he wanted to accomplish.
Barath began his career at the tender age of 11 charting his way into his cricketing career by establishing goals such as wanting to be the first to score a first class century at age 16, but ended up achieving it at age 19. Though his accomplishment is etched in the West Indian Cricketing hall of fame, he is still satisfied. Asked why he chose to open for the West Indies he said: "I never like to sit and wait to bat. I like to face the music."
The Longdenville, Chaguanas, resident said his father should take the credit for the finely polished state his career is in. "He gave me the support I needed. He bowled one million balls or more for me."
Bharath said staying focused and making sacrifices is the secret to his success. He tells upcoming cricketers: "Have love for the game. I think nothing is possible in life if you don't have the love and passion. You must be able to put in the hard work. "I think you need to put the minutes into whatever you want to be-a batsman or bowler. You need to know what your strengths are and set your goals," he said.
"My dad knew the passion I had for he game. Anywhere you see me around the place you would see me with a bat and a ball, the passion for the game was there. He walked me right through (the training)," he said. Describing his accomplishments he said. "It was a dream come true. Coming up in the under 13s it was my goal to some day represent the West Indies." Barath admits that nerves did kick in when he first heard he was accepted to play for the West Indies. "All that you have been playing for all your life through the youth level. It's all in front of you now," he said.
Bharath, who is considered the youngster in the team, said his teammates supported him all the way.
"They told me that it's a matter of me backing my ability-do what I have been doing all the time, forget the opposition, it's bat and ball. "It's about confidence. If you believe in yourself and have the skill, once you are dedicated and put your mind to it, things would happen. It worked for me," he said.