Vadodara: Baroda’s 35-year-old bowler Bhargav Bhatt joined an illustrious club of former Vadodara cricketers by playing his 100th first-class match in the city on Sunday. Bhatt, a spin bowler, is playing against Bihar in the ongoing Ranji Trophy match at the Reliance Stadium.“It’s a great feeling to play my 100th first-class game. When I began playing, my focus was on trying to get a berth in the Baroda Ranji team. I never thought I would reach this milestone in my cricketing career,” Bhatt told TOI. The Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) felicitated him on Sunday and former India keeper Kiran More gave him a cap. BCA president Pranav Amin congratulated Bhatt on his achievement and said that it would motivate young cricketers from the city.Among others, former Baroda cricketers like D K Gaekwad, Anshuman Gaekwad, Kiran More, Nayan Mongia, Pathan brothers, Connor Williams, Jacob Martin and Tushar Arothe have played over 100 first-class games. Bhatt was the leading wicket-taker in the 2010-11 Ranji Trophy season, bagging 47 wickets in nine matches in his debut season. “I am thankful to the BCA for giving me ample opportunities and encouraging me in my career,” Bhatt added.Bhatt became a regular in the Baroda Ranji team and was also considered to have the potential to play for the Indian cricket team. However, he left the Baroda team in 2016 as he felt that he was being ignored in the team selection. Bhatt joined the Andhra Pradesh Ranji team and played with the team for two seasons before returning to the BCA fold in 2018.“I just wanted to make the most of my playing career and didn’t want to miss a single match. That was the reason I moved out before returning to the Baroda team,” Bhatt said. The 35-year-old bowler has bagged 382 wickets from the 100 first-class matches he has played so far. He recorded five-wicket hauls 20 times in his career. He also scored 1,248 runs including four half-centuries.Bhatt has played in the IPL but he still dreams of playing for the Indian cricket team. “That’s one dream I want to fulfil before I hang up my boots,” Bhatt said.
