Rohan Prem, a cricketer, started playing for Kerala at the age of nine. The left-handed batsman, who has played, led and scored centuries for Kerala in all age categories from the Under-13 level, is the highest run-scorer for Kerala in first-class cricket and the Ranji Trophy. Rohan, who played for the India Under-19 team and the Challenger Trophy India Green team, has retired from playing for Kerala at the age of 37. Rohan says that he has decided to change the Kerala kuppayamuri, which has been close to his body for 28 years, for the sake of the new generation who is waiting for an opportunity for Kerala. Rohan Prem talks to Kerala Kaumudi about his career and future prospects.
? Rohan has been a cricketer since he can remember. How did this journey begin?
Cricketer Rohan Prem is the sum total of my father’s deep love for cricket and me. My father started trying to make me a player when I was three or four years old. I was named after my father’s favorite actor Sunil Gavaskar’s son. In the past, when Gavaskar and Kapil came to Kochi, I was also taken to see them.
? The feeling of wearing the Kerala jersey for the first time
When I was nine years old, I played for Kerala in the under-13 team for the first time. The age when you don’t even know how it will happen except for the desire to become a cricketer.. The time when Ananthapadamanabhan Chettan and Sunil Oasis were full of Ranji Trophy.
? Wasn’t Rohan’s growth and Kerala cricket’s growth complementary?
of course. In the past, the Kerala team used to go to play in tournaments. Now it has turned into a way to win. Be it age category tournaments, ODI, T20, Ranji formats, there is a confidence that we too can win. The turning point was when I was included in a team that included Raifi Vincent Gomes, P. Prashant, Robert Fernandes, Abhishek Hegde and S. Anish from the U-13 level. As the team progressed through each age group, the Kerala team also started winning at the national level. VA Jagadish and Prashant Parameswaran accompanied him when he reached Ranji. We will debut in Ranji in the next few years. We grew up side by side. It went forward as a team. The growth of the team has evolved into the growth of all our careers.
?Memories of the first Ranji match
He made his Ranji Trophy debut on December 9, 2005 at the age of 19 against Rajasthan at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. In 2022, at the same venue against the same opponents, at the age of 36, I entered the 89th Ranji match and became the Kerala player who played the most Ranji matches. Rajasthan was led by international star Ajay Jadeja. Sreekumaran Nair from Kerala. Tinu Yohannan, who played for India, was Kerala’s opening bowler that day. Later he became the coach of the Kerala team in which I was a member. Kerala scored a crucial 42 runs in the first match which gave them the lead.
? Level change for Kerala in Ranji
If we look at the graph of Kerala cricket from where we started, we have reached a great height. All past players, coaches and KCA officials have contributed to this growth. KCA’s efforts in providing infrastructure including grounds are worth mentioning.
In the Ranji Trophy, we moved from the plate level to the elite level. Played in the knockouts many times. To enter the pre quarter and quarter consecutively. Reached the semis once. I am indeed proud to be a part of that journey. My arrival is at the stage when Ananthetan and Sunil Oasis Chetan are finishing the game. They have tried their best to maintain their tradition.
? Disappointment of not getting a chance in the Indian team
He played for the India Under-19 team and the India Green team in the Challenger Trophy. He shared a room with current captain Rohit Sharma in the U-19 Indian team. But we couldn’t get over it. I did what I had to do as a player. Do we need a push from outside along with our push?. I had no one to call my godfather. Often times, other state players who were not as good as me went up, but I stayed here. I don’t think there is any point in worrying about it.
? Sanju’s arrival in the Ranji team
Sanju came to Kerala when he was 13 years old. He was a child with a clear sense of purpose. and extraordinary talent. We all were sure that he would make it to the Indian team. He still has time ahead of him to become a regular presence in the Indian team.
? How difficult was the comeback at 35?
Having to stay away for two years due to injury and Covid and trying to come back to the Kerala team at the age of 35 was very tough. In the past, someone of this age would have been almost impossible to come back from such a break. Because at that time only age group matches were there for selection for Ranji Trophy. But now by holding the Kerala Cricket Association President’s Cup and Club Championship anyone can prove their ability and come back. But it requires extraordinary determination. I was saddened by many people’s judgments that they cannot come back at this age. I got to the point where I didn’t talk to anyone about cricket. But the support given by my father, mother and wife who stood by me to face that challenge brought me back to confidence. I often tried to convince myself that I could do it. When he came to that conviction, he got the energy to work hard. KCA Secretary Vinod and Chief Selector P. Prashant owe this comeback to their support.
? Rohan’s performance in Second Coming
I did not have to disappoint those who put their trust in me. He scored six half-centuries and one century in the last two seasons. Participated in many team wins and leads. On his second visit, he shared several partnerships with another senior player, Sachin Baby, including in the final match.
? The future of the Kerala team with Rohan stepping down
The current lads have the potential to become a top tier team at the national level. Especially in white ball formats. In two or three years’ time Kerala will become national champions in ODI and Twenty20 formats. Rohan S. Kunnummal, Vishnu Vinod, Sijomon Joseph, Muhammad Azharuddin, Salman Nisar and other top players are there now. Talents like Shaun Rodger are coming. Yes, our good times are yet to come. For them I am leaving with a full heart and full satisfaction. If I had played one more match remaining this season, I would have completed 100 matches in Ranji. But my decision was more about using the happy opportunity to make my own way than for my obvious gain.
? Rohan’s future prospects
I have only stopped playing first class for Kerala. I want to continue as a cricketer. If we get a chance in Ranji for other states then so on. There are many leagues in other countries. Let’s think slowly and decide which way to go. Anyway, there is no game other than cricket.
Sunil Gavaskar’s fan father Prem Bassin named his son after Gavaskar’s son. Prem had gone with his son to meet Gavaskar who had come to Kochi when Rohan was four years old. From that day till now, Rohan’s father has been with him in his growth. Mother is Jacqueline Wilfred. Aishwarya lives in Kannammula, Thiruvananthapuram with his wife Anju and daughters Ishita and Ritika.
Achievements of Rohan
Played and led for Kerala in all age categories from U-13 level onwards.
Scored centuries in all age categories.
Kerala player who scored most runs in Ranji Trophy
Kerala player with most centuries in Ranji
He played for the India Under-19 team and the India Green team in the Challenger Trophy.
First batsman to score 1000 runs for Kerala in Twenty20 format.
The second Kerala cricketer to complete 100 matches in first class cricket. Anantapadmanabhan was the first.
5000
Rohan Prem is the first Kerala cricketer to complete 5000 runs in Ranji Trophy. He has scored 5479 runs in first class cricket so far.
Career figures
First class cricket
102 matches
5479 runs
The highest score is 208
Century 13
Half century 27
53 wickets
Ranji Trophy Cricket
99 matches
5396 runs
The highest score is 208
Century 13
Half century 27
52 wickets
2024-02-13 18:55:19
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