\u201cI am very happy with my team. We understand and support each other. We trust each other and are united as a team.\u201d That unity has been key in the big wins including their last victory over the Mumbai Dreamers where Javed was named as \u2018Player of the Match\u2019.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Although he is on top of his game at the moment, Javed recalled his pre-match jitters ahead of his first game at the RPL.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWhen I played my first match, I was a little hopeless. I didn't know how I was going to play against such big names. But everything changed after that first game and the first try I scored. When the match ended, my coach selected me as the Hero of the Day and gave me a jersey. I started crying when I got the jersey,\u201d he shared.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Javed hails from a very humble background in Vasant Kunj, New Delhi and has a peculiar story of how he got into a sport like rugby. On how his journey started, he shared, \u201c We used to live in Juggis (makeshift houses). There was a jungle behind where we used to go to relieve ourselves since we didn't have a bathroom. Slowly an NGO (Earth Foundation) came, cleared the jungle and made a ground.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThe coaches from Delhi Hurricanes rugby club came in collaboration with the NGO and used to train kids there. I was standing there and watching as my friends used to play but I didn\u2019t understand the sport and I was scared of the older kids and hence didn\u2019t want to play. I started playing because the coaches told me they would give me a \u2018Tiger\u2019 biscuit packet after training and for those biscuits I got greedy and started playing,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Despite his humble beginnings, Javed made it clear that he isn\u2019t playing the RPL for the money or fame, but for the experience and exposure. He stated, \u201cWhen I joined the league, I didn't care about money or anything else. I just wanted to play with the people I used to watch on TV. I wanted to learn from them. It doesn't matter if I play well or not. I just wanted to experience playing with and against them.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Javed is surrounded by world-class players in the Hyderabad Heroes camp. Olympic medallists like Joji Nasova and Terio Tamani from Fiji and global stars like his Spanish Captain Manu Moreno share a locker room with him which is the kind of exposure invaluable for a budding rugby player.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Javed is enjoying training under one of the biggest names in world rugby DJ Forbes who is also a former captain of the All Blacks Sevens team. About Forbes, Javed expressed, \u201cI don't have any pressure from my coach and he is the best person that I could train under. He knows my potential and strengths and directs me very well on the field. Even our captain Manu Moreno is very supportive. Whenever I make mistakes, he helps me a lot and he is very insightful.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Javed plays every match with his hand taped with \u2018Mom\u2019 \u2018and Dad\u2019 and a heart drawn on it. When asked about this gesture, he replied, \u201cWhen I used to play earlier, my family didn\u2019t have much money but my dad still used to support me the best he could. Despite everything, whatever I asked for, if they had the facilities, they would give that to me and I am very grateful for them.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
RPL matches on June 21:<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The first match of the evening features Chennai Bulls as they will look to avenge their loss from last night against Bengaluru Bravehearts. With both teams a point away from each other in the standings, this will be a crucial match in terms of the race to playoffs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In the second fixture, the Hyderabad Heroes go up against the Mumbai Dreamers. The Heroes have been the standout team of the tournament so far as they have a perfect record. They face the dreamers who are still searching for their first victory of the season.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The first match of the evening features Chennai Bulls as they will look to avenge their loss from last night against Bengaluru Bravehearts. With both teams a point away from each other in the standings, this will be a crucial match in terms of the race to playoffs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Also Read: <\/b> LIVE Cricket Score<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n