Kaitano’s tough life decision

18 Jul, 2021 - 00:07 0 Views
Kaitano’s tough  life decision

The Sunday Mail

Don Makanyanga
Sports Reporter

AT 25, Takudzwanashe Kaitano — Zimbabwe’s new record holder for most runs by an opening batsman on debut — had to make a tough decision on which career path to pursue.

He turned down a promising career in engineering to follow his dreams to become an international cricketer.

Ironically, that cricket breakthrough came about fortuitously.

“I attended a Rhinos training session and, coincidentally, Robin Brown (coach) was looking for an opener, and with the help of some senior guys in the team, I was selected to open.

“Interestingly, this was the same week that I was supposed to have my last assessment for an industrial attachment in Hwange,” he said.

With a debut for First Class cricket beckoning and an assessment to set his engineering on course, the 28-year-old top-order batsman chose cricket.

“I was faced with a tough decision to make, but my love for cricket prevailed, as I chose to pursue my childhood dream of becoming a professional cricketer. Since then, I have been on this journey.”

Three years after making that crucial life decision, Kaitano watched his dream unfold before his eyes when he made his debut for Zimbabwe in a once-off Test match against Bangladesh at Harare Sports Club last
week.

“I have been looking forward to that day since I was a little kid. It’s every player’s dream to represent his or her own country at the highest level.

“Since I started playing cricket in primary school right up to secondary school, I always worked to represent Zimbabwe in all age groups.

“This desire to represent Zimbabwe at the highest level kept me awake and pushed me to work harder and invest in my game.

“I cannot explain exactly how it feels to wear my baggy green — that was the most important thing to happen in my career; it felt like receiving a PhD,” he said.

And many would have thought the excitement of finally attaining his childhood dream would give the batsman some butterflies in his stomach and affect his performance.

“My debut performance was okay…I was in a good space, though the experience was surreal.

“Thanks to the practice game we had played, it calmed my nerves, so when I crossed the ropes into the ground, it just became one of those other games.”

His calmness on the crease saw him writing his own piece of history as he hit 87 runs off 311 balls to break a standing record of 29 years.

It has taken a week or so for him to realise the significance of his record knock against Bangladesh, because he was disappointed with failing to hit a century on his first outing with the Chevrons.

“When I was told (about breaking the record), it was small news because I was still disappointed for not getting a century, but now after realising the significance, it has become special.

“I think it’s the highlight of my debut.”

His exploits on his debut have seen some suggesting that he might be the next big thing in Test cricket for Zimbabwe.

But he doesn’t want to be labelled a Test cricketer.

“I wouldn’t appreciate being tagged only as a Test player.

“I think I have a lot to offer in ODIs and T20s for the Chevrons, especially after a good season with Rhinos where I was a player of the tournament in the Pro50 competition.

“I believe if I keep working and improving my white-ball skills, I will break into all the teams,” he said.

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