By Ravi Madholall
Right-handed opening West Indies batsman Rajendra Chandrika stated that he was delighted with his consistent performances in Canada.
Chandrika, who represented West Indies in five Tests, featured for Vikings Cricket Club in the recent annual Toronto and District Cricket Association Super9 50-over 2019 tournament.
Vikings eventually won the tournament, humbling arch-rivals Centurions by six wickets at King City Ground, Toronto. Chandrika churned out a fine batting display as well, scoring an attractive 60 in the championship contest.
In the Super9 competition, which began in May, Chandrika chalked up over 540 runs, including a brilliant 110, his only century this year, against Islanders Cricket Club.
The 30-year-old Chandrika, who played 59 First-Class matches, also showed his batting talent for Hawaiian Arctic Club at the Scarborough Cricket Association Premier League limited-over tournament.
Chandrika scored three fifties in six games for Arctic, who were led by former Guyana and West Indies player Royston Crandon.
According to Chandrika, who last represented the Caribbean team against India in 2016, he still wants to wear the prestigious colors again. Once he continues to play competitive cricket and make runs consistently, he believes his chance will come about once more, sooner rather than later.
“I had a great time in Canada playing for both Vikings and Hawaiian Arctic; I enjoyed my games thoroughly and was glad to score some runs,” he stated.
Chandrika, who started plying his trade in Canada in 2013, declared that Toronto cricket was very competitive and he would have also learnt a lot to keep improving his game in every department.
“Cricket in Canada has been very competitive, especially when you have players from around the world playing here on a regular basis and also some of Canada’s top national players on show, so definitely I will be back here next year,” Chandrika, who made his Test debut against Australia at home in 2015, disclosed.
He is now planning to return to his native Guyana to commence preparations for the upcoming franchise cricket; he knows a good First-Class season will see him back in the five-day version.
“I am confident of getting big scores in local cricket and then at the regional level while I am planning to play professional cricket in Trinidad and Tobago very early next year as well,” an enthusiastic Chandrika said.