Juned Khan in action during Irani Cup©
Juned Khan, the fast bowler from Kannauj, moved to Mumbai to find a job that would help him support his family. He started working in a garment factory in the city before driving an auto-rickshaw despite being a minor. However, a twist of fate brought him back into the world of cricket and his fairytale journey eventually culminated in the youngster making his debut for Mumbai in the Irani Cup. It was a momentous occasion for the fast bowler who did not have the easiest of journeys and he celebrated the occasion in near-perfect style as the pacer took the prized wicket of Ruturaj Gaikwad in his first spell.
“I couldn't sleep at all since I was told on match night that I will be playing my first match for Mumbai, that too in the Irani Cup,” said an elated Juned during an interview with Sportstar.
“The wicket was a bonus. Just to find myself here is a dream in itself.”
Mohammad Juned Khan gets Ruturaj Gaikwad as his first wicket on debut.
— Vipin Tiwari (@Vipintiwari952) October 3, 2024
Juned was working as an autorickshaw driver in Mumbai when he once landed at the Sanjeevani Cricket Academy – run by former Mumbai wicketkeeper Manish Bangera. Although his experience was largely limited to tennis ball cricket, he ran in and bowled with a cricket ball for the first time.
Bangera encouraged him to keep bowling, but there were many challenges along the way.
“I didn't have money to buy spikes, but a lot of people helped me and supported me to keep playing regularly,” he said.
Juned's life took another dramatic turn when he was spotted by Abhishek Nayar – India's assistant coach who was then assistant coach of the Kolkata Knight Riders – while playing for the PJ Hindu Gymkhana in Police Shield.
The fast bowler impressed everyone with his bowling during the Buchi Babu and KSCA tournaments, with the selectors eventually handing him his debut for Mumbai in the Irani Cup.
This is just the beginning of the journey according to Juned and when asked about his cricketing idol, he quickly replied, “Mohammed Shami” – a cricketer who also left Uttar Pradesh and played domestic cricket from another state.
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