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In a first an Adivasi player made his way into the Indian Premier League (IPL). Robin Minz created history by becoming the first Adivasi player to be picked up by an IPL franchise. Gujarat Titans bought Robin for a whopping ₹ 3.6 crores. Before being picked by the 2022 IPL champions, the Jharkhand-born wicketkeeper batter attracted bids from the most successful franchises. As soon as his name popped up on the giant screen at the auctions, MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings started the bidding for him. But why did CSK want him so badly?
Dhoni promises Robin Minz’s father
When the former Indian captain met Robin’s father, Francis Xavier Minz, he made a promise. Dhoni told Francis, “If no one picks him (Robin), then we will.” Robin who is usually known to be silent doesn’t talk much. His bat on the other hand does a lot of talking and is often referred to as “Jharkhand’s Chris Gayle”.
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Jharkhand cricketers all praise for Robin
Fellow cricketers from Jharkhand are very fond of him, and most believe he will be the next big thing in Indian cricket.
Robin plays at Ranchi’s Sonnet Cricket Club where his coaches are Chanchal Bhattacharya, Dhoni’s one-time coach, Asif Haque and SP Gautam. Dhoni often visits Sonnet Cricket Club and has also interacted with Robin talking about the game and the psychological aspect of the game. Ishan Kishan who is also from Jharkhand and is also a left-handed wicketkeeper once gifted Robin wicketkeeping gloves which he still uses.
Apart from Dhoni and Kishan, senior cricketers like Saurabh Tiwary and Ishank Jaggi had been praising Robin for a long time. Saurabh believes that Robin possesses natural power and will be the next big hitter in Indian cricket. Jaggi on the other hand is certain that Robin will be the next big thing.
Robin’s childhood
When Robin was a two-year-old kid, his father, Francis, an army man visited home and saw Robin playing with pebbles and cane. Seeing this, Francis made a bat from a piece of wood and bought a ball to give a headstart to the dream of becoming a cricketer. With two sisters, Robin and his family often found it difficult to afford his children’s education. Francis often had to borrow money or the family had to sacrifice some of the basic needs to afford cricket equipment.
Robin’s mother, Elis talked about their monetary problems and said, “When we first went to a sports-goods store to buy a bat and other gear for Robin, we thought we would get everything for Rs 2000. But the bat alone was Rs 5000! We didn’t know what to do. The shopkeeper was also looking at us suspiciously, whether we would be able to pay or not. But we managed, we had to borrow some money but we managed.”
Robin Minz’s incredible journey from playing with pebbles as a child to becoming the first Adivasi player in the prestigious Indian Premier League is nothing short of awe-inspiring. His groundbreaking entry into the IPL with Gujarat Titans, securing a hefty ₹ 3.6 crores bid, not only signifies a personal triumph but also marks a significant shift in the representation of diverse talent in cricket.
His upbringing, marked by financial constraints and sacrifices, reflects the unyielding dedication of his family towards nurturing his cricketing dream. Despite hurdles, the Minz family persevered, showcasing unwavering support and determination in fostering Robin’s passion for cricket.