The tale of Vijay Zol

Sai Prasad Mohapatra, writing for weekly magazine Open, profiles India U-19 captain and highly rated batsman Vijay Zol.

Vijay could possibly have played any sport, but chose cricket. He met Coach Kane at a huge barren Railway ground, the only playable area in the district--one that has a decent wicket, and that too, a matted one. "He had a solid defensive technique, and to add to that, he was aggressive," says Kane, who, besides being Maharashtra's junior selector, has been running Kane Cricket Academy at the Railway ground for over 25 years. "Balanced stance, head steady and minimal backlift, he would generate power from a strong forearm," he says, "Just watch his short-arm jab, which is a quick whip at the point of contact."