Cricket: Triumphant trip to 'homeland' for rookie Patel

Jeetan Patel. Picture / Reuters

The autograph and photograph hunters hover around the black singleted man at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. It is a frenzied scene.

It started with one ambitious teenager sneaking up from behind, cameraphone in hand. He was joined in a pincer movement by a chum with a pen and scrap of paper, and together they effortlessly forced the older man against the boundary wall as the remaining army of fans flocked in behind.

This is cricket worship, Indian-style; everyone wants some sort of lasting contact with international cricketers, be it through ink, bytes, or simply touch.

The man at the centre of the scrum is 26-year-old Jeetan Patel. It's his first time playing the game in father Shashi's homeland and, albeit for just a moment, he is public idol No 1. The horde of immaculately white-flannelled fellows surrounding him are teenagers assigned as practice bowlers for the Black Caps' opening two group matches of the Champions Trophy.

Patel may be one generation removed from having India as a homeland but the impact of his presence here is not lost on him.

"It's part of being in a country mad on the game. I'm happy to immerse myself in it and meet fan commitments, but at times it gets a bit overwhelming, especially in the middle of training," he says.

"Sometimes you've got to say no - but in a nice way."

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."

In fact, Shashi Patel arrived in India last Sunday and watched his son's star turn against South Africa then headed north to his home village before returning to watch Friday night's Sri Lankan match. One regret for Patel is that he can't visit Gujarat too.

"Dad and his mates are enjoying themselves back home, but I just don't have any time to get there. It's five hours out of the day just to travel - but I hope they see me on telly so I can give them a wave."

There should be plenty of opportunities for that. Patel has racked up an excellent record by modern standards in his first 11 ODIs, taking 18 wickets at 24.17, including a best of three for 11 from 3.1 overs, to help beat South Africa last week.

He failed to get as much chance to shine in the Sri Lankan loss but was the best of the bowlers with two for 32 from nine, coming on at 99 for 1 after 17 overs, with Sri Lanka needing 67 at a luxurious two per over. That was after sharing in a 10th wicket partnership of 47 with Daniel Vettori, the best of an uninspiring New Zealand scorecard.

His performances so far have earned the respect of Black Caps captain Stephen Fleming.

"He's been with us for a period of time now so it's not new to him and he's got the team's respect, which is often the most important thing for a young player," Fleming says.

For a man who has often been to India on family holidays you'd think the transition to being a cricketer would be relatively easy but Patel insists it is not so.

"You've got to respect certain things more as a sportsman here; like drinking bottled water and being extra careful what you eat. I love the food so that can be a bit tough. And during a match we're generally out in the heat for at least three-and-a-half hours... you just lose so much fluid."

The assumption Patel will be a fountain of inside Indian knowledge has not by-passed his team-mates.

Fleming jokes they are often disappointed with Patel's lack of good oil on how they can improve operations on the subcontinent.

"The boys tease him a bit about it when they're trying to get to grips with Indian culture. However I think it means a lot to him to be here... especially with his father over as well. You can just hear the passion in the way he talks."