Triumphant trip to 'homeland' for rookie Patel
It's his first time playing the game in father Shashi's homeland and, albeit for just a moment, Jeetan Patel is public idol No 1
Sriram Veera
25-Feb-2013
It's his first time playing the game in father Shashi's homeland and, albeit for just a moment, Jeetan Patel is public idol No 1. Read more at the New Zealand Herald
Patel's passion for the game goes back to his father's fanatical background, having been born in the Gujarat province - of which Ahmadabad is the main city - before immigrating to England in his early teens and moving to New Zealand after marrying.
"At our home in Wellington, Dad and I would just play cricket day and night. I'm glad to be playing in his country of origin, but I'm here to play for my country now."
Sriram Veera is a former staff writer at ESPNcricinfo