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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Bihar govt to constitute 100 fast-track courts to expedite disposal of criminal cases: Home min
Patna (PTI): Bihar Home Minister Samrat Choudhary on Sunday announced that the state government will establish 100 fast-track courts (FTCs) to ensure the swift disposal of pending cases.
He said that the move also aims to ease the burden on regular courts for them to accord due attention to sensitive cases.
Choudhary said the decision in this regard has been made considering that over 18 lakh cases are pending before different courts in the state.
The constitution of FTCs will "bring in a big relief" to the judicial system and litigants, he said.
"To operationalise 100 FTCs across 38 districts and sub-divisions, the government will undertake large-scale recruitment," the home minister asserted in a statement.
He said that a total of 900 posts, including those of bench clerks, office clerks, stenographers, deposition writers, data entry operators, drivers, process servers and peons, will be filled.
Choudhary also announced that 79 courts will be designated as 'act courts' to fast-track cases related to the Arms Act. Swift resolution of such serious cases, he said, will strengthen law and order in the state.
The minister said that Patna alone will get eight fast-track courts, while four courts each will be set up in Gaya, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga and Bhagalpur. Three FTCs each are planned for Nalanda (Bihar Sharif), Rohtas (Sasaram), Saran (Chhapra), Begusarai, Vaishali (Hajipur), East Champaran (Motihari), Samastipur and Madhubani.
Similarly, two courts each will be established in West Champaran (Bettiah), Saharsa, Purnea, Munger, Nawada, Jehanabad, Arwal, Aurangabad, Kaimur (Bhabhua), Buxar, Bhojpur (Arrah), Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Siwan, Gopalganj, Supaul, Madhepura, Araria, Kishanganj, Katihar, Banka, Jamui, Sheikhpura, Lakhisarai and Khagaria. One FTC each is also proposed for the sub-divisional courts of Naugachia and Bagaha.
