'Did any legend die when your son was born?' Shaik Balishavali would often be asked by fellow parents flocking the coaching centre near Mangalagiri, a suburb near the town of Guntur in Andhra Pradesh, where the Andhra Cricket Association (ACA) has raised an academy. Balishavali would scratch his head in a dilemma thinking why would they inquire about such a thing. It dawned upon him soon enough that it was because his son SK Rasheed was a cut above the rest.
ICC UNDER 19 WORLD CUP 2022
'Special talent' Rasheed arrives on the big stage
Rasheed struck 94 off 108 balls with 8 fours and 1 six. © Getty
Balishavali did not know much about cricket, let aside the legends of the game. When his son was picked for the India Under-19 World Cup side as vice-captain, he felt that all that talk, after all, was not merely banter. His son's talent was on display in the U-19 World Cup semifinal against Australia in Antigua where Rasheed belted a classy and tenacious 94 that lifted India to a
