From driving an auto rickshaw to leading Mumbai's bowling attack, Juned hits the fast lane
Lucknow: The 24-year-old pacer Mohammad Juned Khan, who made his first-class debut for Mumbai in the Irani Cup, now dreams of representing the 42-time Ranji Trophy champions. His remarkable journey, from a small town in Uttar Pradesh to the Mumbai team, showcases determination and perseverance.
In his debut match, Juned made an instant impact by taking a big first wicket, dismissing Rest of India’s captain, Ruturaj Gaikwad, for 9 runs. Skipper Ajinkya Rahane handed him the team’s cap just before the five-day Irani Cup match at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, a moment Juned had long awaited.
His journey to Mumbai’s squad was not easy. Hailing from a farming family in Kannauj, 127 km from Lucknow, Juned moved to Mumbai in 2014 in search of work. He initially worked as a helper in a jeans factory in Andheri and later started driving an auto rickshaw from 2015 to 2018. It was in 2019 that he joined Sanjeevani Cricket Academy after meeting his mentor, Abhishek Nayar.
“Abhishek Sir saw my passion and advised me to quit driving the auto and focus entirely on cricket. It changed my life,” Juned recalls. Without proper bowling spikes, he continued training with rubber studs, determined to make a name for himself in cricket.
Juned’s hard work paid off when he was roped in as a net bowler by Kolkata Knight Riders and subsequently performed well in local club cricket, Karnataka Cricket Association events, and the Bucchi Babu Tournament.
Despite living with his auto driver friends in Bandra, Mumbai, Juned remains focused on his goal to clock 140-145 kmph in the upcoming Ranji Trophy matches. He currently bowls at around 130 kmph but aims to increase his speed and draw inspiration from fast bowlers like Mohammed Shami.
“Playing alongside seasoned bowlers like Mukesh Kumar was a great learning experience,” says Juned, who hopes to replicate his success in the upcoming Ranji Trophy season.
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India Today Exit Poll animation shows Rahul Gandhi wrestling Nadda: Netizens react to Modi’s absence
New Delhi: An animated video by India Today depicted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi wrestling BJP National President JP Nadda as the exit polls projected a clear lead for the Congress in Haryana. The video sparked numerous reactions on social media, with many highlighting that PM Modi is often not presented as the BJP’s face when the party appears to be losing elections.
Several users pointed out how JP Nadda becomes the focus during election setbacks, while PM Modi is prominently featured during the party’s victories. The reactions ranged from sympathy for Nadda to sarcastic commentary.
Congress leader Pawan Khera tweeted, “अगले जन्म में मोहे नड्डा ना कीजे….,” implying that Nadda’s position is unenviable, especially during election losses.
अगले जन्म में मोहे नड्डा ना कीजे….
— Pawan Khera 🇮🇳 (@Pawankhera) October 5, 2024
A tweet of mind that never gets old. https://t.co/jejEimqPGU
X user Raju Verma wrote, “ये इंसान @JPNadda बेचारे बेइज्जती सहने के लिए ही पैदा हुए हैं.. किस्मत कैसा भी देना भगवान बस नड्डा जी जैसा मत देना,” indicating that Nadda is put in embarrassing situations repeatedly.
ये इंसान @JPNadda बेचारे बेइज्जती सहने के लिए ही पैदा हुए हैं..
— Raju verma (@VermarajuRaju) October 5, 2024
किस्मत कैसा भी देना भगवान बस नड्डा जी जैसा मत देना
User Harmeet Kaur expressed frustration over the media’s coverage, stating, “When winning ... It's Modi Modi everywhere. When losing.... replace Modi & plaster Nadda Ji's pic. And then you people get offended, when we call you Godi Media.”
😁😁😁
— Harmeet Kaur K (@iamharmeetK) October 5, 2024
You people are actually so pathetically funny
Bechara @JPNadda
When winning ...it's Modi Modi everywhere
When loosing....replace Modi & plaster Nadda ji 's pic 😁
And then you people get offended, when we call you Godi Media
Another user, VIKRAM (@Gobhiji3), added humor to the discussion, saying, “TV पर आ गया नड्डा, मतलब बीजेपी का बैठ गया भट्ठा. हरियाणा में बहुत बुरा हुआ भक्तों के साथ.” He suggested that Nadda’s appearance as BJP’s face is a clear indicator of the party’s decline in Haryana.
TV पर आ गया नड्डा,मतलब बीजेपी का बैठ गया भट्ठा.
— VIKRAM (@Gobhiji3) October 5, 2024
हरियाणा में बहुत बुरा हुआ भक्तों के साथ. 🤣🤣
Another user, D (@Deb_livnletliv), commented on the clear shift in strategy, “When you see Nadda as the face of BJP, you know the tables have turned and loss is written clearly all over the place.”
When you see Nadda as the face of BJP,you know the tables have turned and loss is written clearly all over the place 🤣
— D (@Deb_livnletliv) October 5, 2024
Many netizens have also shared memes, ridiculing the absence of Modi’s image and highlighting how Nadda becomes the fall guy during tough times.
Nadda ji be like 😂👇 pic.twitter.com/3hpIBDun5N
— Kuldeep Yadav (@kuldeepyadavsp_) October 5, 2024
BJP has dug a hole in Haryana. That is why Nadda has come to the Exit Poll.
— Nasreen Ebrahim (@EbrahimNasreen) October 6, 2024
Narendra Modi's crushing defeat is being blamed on Nadda. pic.twitter.com/bfHKq41S95
The video and subsequent online discussion have brought attention to the BJP’s strategy of promoting PM Modi’s image during winning streaks and shifting focus to other party leaders, like JP Nadda, when defeat looks clear.
