How advice to become an auto-driver from his ‘ever-supportive’ father inspired Chirag Jani to evolve into one of India’s finest all-rounders

Like many budding players across India, Chirag Jani’s initial days in cricket were anything but straightforward. While his father, a policeman by profession, had always been supportive of cricket throughout his childhood, his housewife mother was completely against it.

“I was determined that I have to do something in my life so that I won’t need to drive an auto. To be fair, that triggered me a lot to motivate myself, although I knew my father’s morale support was always there,” Jani remarked in an exclusive interview with SportsCafe.

Since he was young, Jani always wanted to be an all-rounder. In fact, apart from batting and bowling, he used to keep wickets as well during his school days in Bhavnagar’s Mahuva village. Although he has huge respect for Kapil Dev, whom he regardfully calls ‘sir’, his first role model while growing up was Jacques Kallis. Chirag also used to adore Andrew Flintoff and tried to emulate him during practice sessions. Now, he admires Hardik Pandya and Ben Stokes for their continuous success with both bat and ball. 

So what next for Jani? A lucrative IPL contract, given the fact he is an out-and-out fast-bowling all-rounder who usually remains in high demand at the auctions?

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In the first week of December, Jani proved his class yet again. During the first half of the final against Ruturaj Gaikwad-led Maharashtra, the all-rounder picked up a hat-trick, took a couple of catches, affected a run-out, and then followed it up with a crafty 25-ball 30 to propel Saurashtra to the Vijay Hazare Trophy for the first time. To express his regards for the man who just turned 33 last month, Saurashtra skipper Jaydev Unadkat, following the triumph, opined: “If there is one player in the side who deserves to play at the highest level, it’s Chirag Jani.”

In an illustrious domestic career that will touch the decade mark this month, Jani has experienced ample highs and lows of Saurashtra cricket. He might have been too young to have played in their historic 2012/13 Ranji Trophy final, the team’s first in 75 years, but from there on he gradually kept improving his skillset and has since been a part of all the memorable trophy hunts of his team. He played a crucial role in helping Saurashtra reach the Ranji Trophy final again in 2015/16, but much like last time, Mumbai handed them another colossal innings defeat.

“I believe Saurashtra cricket has seen massive improvements in recent years. You can’t take us lightly anymore. You will face challenges whenever you go up against us from here on in any format,” Jani reckoned.

“We are going with almost the same 15-17 members everywhere, and it plays a key role in our success. Everyone is aware of what their role is, which yields benefits for us. Besides, our team management backs us a lot even if someone fails to make an impact for a few matches. We have been executing the plans which we made in team meetings, and that has been key for our recent rise.”

The ongoing Ranji Trophy is Jani’s 10th domestic season in First-Class cricket since he made his debut in December 2012 against Rajasthan in Jaipur. While speaking about his roller-coaster ride, he highlighted how Saurashtra Cricket Association (SCA) had backed him during his tough days when he was not at his fluent best in red-ball cricket. Now, with their support, he has become one of the pillars of the side, alongside Jaydev Unadkat, Sheldon Jackson, Arpit Vasapada, and Dharmendrasinh Jadeja. 

“Side by side, I will try to improve myself every year,” he pledged to himself before signing off, proclaiming his staggering numbers across all three formats are not going to downgrade anytime soon. In fact, with his present refreshing mindset, don’t be surprised if Chirag Jani starts to reach new heights and grabs the limelight in the upcoming future.