Childhood coach Dinesh Lad keen to see wards Rohit, Harmeet battle

Harmeet Singh and Dinesh Lad

Today's India versus USA T20 World Cup clash in New York is a big opportunity for two Indian players representing America - former Mumbai and India U-19 World Cup cricketers Saurabh Netravalkar and Harmeet Singh.

They have the platform to showcase their skills against a team which they aspired to play for at the highest level.

Spin bowling all-rounder Harmeet, 31, used to practice with India skipper Rohit Sharma during his school days at Swami Vivekanand International School (Borivli) and later made his Mumbai first-class debut against Himachal Pradesh in 2009 when Rohit was part of the team. Rohit and Harmeet's childhood coach Dinesh Lad knows what to expect. "Rohit plays

left-arm spinners well, so I don't think he will have problems, but Harmeet is bowling well too and it won't be easy for any Indian batsman, including Rohit," Lad told mid-day.

When asked if Harmeet is capable of claiming Rohit's wicket, he said: "Anything is possible in cricket. I don't think he [Harmeet] will be pressurised while bowling to the India batsmen, including Rohit. It will be an interesting battle."

Lad recalled a school game in which Harmeet showed his fighting spirit: "We [SVIS] were bowled out for just 135 against Rizvi School in the Pepsi Cup. I was disturbed and told my players how badly they had batted. But Harmeet said: "Sir, why are you tense? We will dismiss them inside 90'. And we bundled them out for 89 with Harmeet claiming four wickets."