Parthiv Patel reveals an interesting insight about his career
Former Indian cricketer Parthiv Patel recently shared a light-hearted anecdote about his experience during the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup, joking about how he managed to earn a living despite not featuring in a single match. Parthiv was one of the 15 players selected for India’s squad for the prestigious event, which was held in South Africa. At just 17 years old, he was the youngest member of the team and served as the backup wicketkeeper. Parthiv fondly recalled that throughout the tournament he remained behind Rahul Dravid in the pecking order, as Dravid was entrusted with the dual role of wicketkeeper and middle-order batter to accommodate an extra bowler.
Despite spending the entire competition on the bench, Parthiv mentioned with a smile that he still received a handsome remuneration at the end of the World Cup. His humorous take highlighted the lighter side of being a reserve player, travelling with the squad, learning from senior teammates, and enjoying the atmosphere, even without getting playing time. The memory offered fans an amusing glimpse into the realities of being part of a World Cup team as a young cricketer still finding his place.
"Don't talk about water, I have carried water for 85 ODIs. I used to carry drinks when Rahul Dravid used to keep wickets. I just gave water during the entire 2003 World Cup, but I built a big house by carrying water at the time," stated former Indian wicket-keeper batter Parthiv Patel.
"I had an advantage. When you are 17 and have studied in a Gujarati medium school, how will you understand what Andrew Flintoff is saying? I look very calm, but I am not. When I was five years old, my finger got stuck in a door and it was cut off," he added.
Over the course of his international career, Parthiv Patel represented India in 25 Tests, 38 ODIs, and two T20Is, showcasing his abilities both as a wicketkeeper and a reliable left-handed batter. He accumulated a total of 1706 runs across formats and proved his worth behind the stumps with 93 catches and 19 stumpings. His quick hands and sharp reflexes made him a valuable asset whenever he donned the gloves.
Parthiv’s last appearance for India came in 2018, after which he officially announced his retirement from all forms of international cricket in December 2020. Beyond the national team, he enjoyed a long and eventful stint in the Indian Premier League, featuring in 12 seasons and representing six different franchises. One of the highlights of his IPL journey was his crucial contribution to the Mumbai Indians’ 2017 title-winning campaign, where he played key roles both with the bat at the top of the order and as a dependable wicketkeeper.
Following his playing days, Parthiv transitioned smoothly into coaching and commentary. He currently serves as the batting coach for the Gujarat Titans, where he is involved in grooming the next generation of cricketers. Alongside coaching, he has also established himself as a respected voice in cricket broadcasting.
