Budding cricketers in UAE’s domestic cricket are producing deadly spells. Anay Suhas Wadekar is only ten years old, but through his brilliant bowling, he has been catching attention. Playing for Simply Cricket Academy in their Under-11 team against Hidayath Cricket Academy in the Legends Under-11 cricket tournament, he bagged six wickets for 14 runs from five overs, which included a hat-trick. He has been piling up wickets and has been outstanding in the Victoria KPL Emerging Under-11 and Under 12 tournaments. In the recent matches, he bagged 45 wickets at an economy rate of 5.51.

Anay Suhas Wadekar

Anay Suhas Wadekar has the surname of former Indian captain Ajit Wadekar. He was also born in Mumbai like the late legendary left-handed batsman and skipper who lifted Indian cricket to great heights. The difference is that Anay is a right-arm leg spinner and a right-handed batsman.
Ten-year-old Anay has won many matches not only with his bowling but through his batting as well. In the match where he took a hat-trick, he restricted Hidayat Cricket Academy to 124 in 18.4 overs. Simply Cricket Academy went on to win by 10 wickets through half-centuries from their wicketkeeper-batsman Karthik Krishnan (51n.o) and skipper Abhinav Madhu (57n.o.). Anay was adjudged Player of the Match for his spell of 6 for 14.

Anay Wadekar – a spell to remember

In the Victoria KPL Emerging Under-12, he bagged nine wickets at an economy of 3.65, and in the Under-11 event, he bagged five wickets at an economy of 4.27. In the Under-11 event, he also won the Man of the Final and the Best bowler of the tournament award.
Anay is thankful that his bowling performances have been systematically recorded since that gives him the boost to keep bowling at his best.

Anay Wadekar displaying the deadly spell ball

“I started training at Simply Cricket Academy from September 25, 2020, and have been learning every day to be better, and so I keep practicing every day,” says Anay, who wants to be known as an allrounder. This youngster is a Grade 5 student at the JSS Private School, Al Safa.
In one of the recent matches against Desert Club ECD XI, he played a match-winning knock. Desert Club had posted 135 for 5 in 25 overs. Chasing the score, Simply slipped losing wickets in quick succession. Coming in to bat in the middle order, Anay hit an unbeaten 39 off 40 balls and ensured his team a three-wicket win by reaching the target in 23.1 overs.

Anay Wadekar returns after his match winning unbeaten knock

Speaking about Anay, Simply Cricket Academy coach Dhammikka Sri Ranawaka said: “Anay is a boy who is always eager to learn new things, and he works hard every day. He makes it a point to regularly be at the practice sessions. In this season, he has always been there when the team needed him to provide breakthroughs and take vital wickets. His consistency has been very impressive. Bowling economical spells is something that has helped the team a lot and he does it regularly. Deceiving the batsmen with his flight and sharp spin is his forte.” Sujeewa de Silva, who was the first coach to provide tips to Anay, and Head Coach S. Vincent back Anay’s enthusiasm.
When asked about his goal, Anay said: “I want to become an international cricketer but also study and become an engineer.” Interestingly, late Wadekar too wanted to become an engineer but then went on to pursue only cricket to become one of the finest Indian captains. Let’s hope Anay achieves both his goals.