Warne asked him, Trivedi found a way

New Delhi: In the 44-day IPL that sent a billion strong nation into a trance along with a bevy of controversies that provided fodder to an equally frenzied media, Rajasthan Royals' victory has been the icing on the cake of Indian cricket's biggest carnival.

The galaxy of stars have shone bright throughout, while a sea of the country's next big hopes have been identified. No wonder then, that many of them belonged to Hollywood's entourage.

A scarring defeat in their first game spurred Jaipur to bounce back like no-one, and almost everyone who took part looked the part.

Yusuf Pathan, declared man of the match in the final, has already booked a place in the Indian One-day team that tours Bangladesh and Pakistan soon. Swapnil Asnodkar finds a place in an India A team that tours Israel, while Siddharth Trivedi, Pankaj Singh and Ravindra Jadeja feature in an Indian youth team set to tour Australia.

Save Ravindra Jadeja, who has previously had his share of limelight with the Indian Under-19 team recently, the rest, mostly in their mid 20s, would be grateful this opportunity came along. But if Siddharth Kishorkumar Trivedi's 13 wickets were anything to go by, the Gujarat medium-pacer would flip through last year's domestic record (21 wickets in six Plate League games) and silence the detractors, if any.

"I have performed well in domestic cricket," Trivedi beams after he was picked for the Indian youth team. "I'm glad that people have noticed my performances in the IPL. It's turned out to be the biggest platform for many of us."

Many of India's current stars have taken their first steps through India's Under-19 team, and Trivedi is no different. He was part of the 2002 World Cup squad that also featured Irfan Pathan, where he took nine wickets from seven games. But Trivedi still waits for that elusive call-up. For the time being, though, he can't stop raving about his side's management, led by Shane Warne.

"I'm thankful to the coaching staff who showed immense faith in me. The constant motivation from Shane Warne gave me confidence to do even better.

Everything about the Rajasthan Royals has been what dreams are made of: underdogs at the start of the tournament rising to become winners, a man christened the showman of the game turned a collection of low-priced wannabes into a group of champions at a bargain.

Under Shane Warne, cricket's version of Hollywood, Jaipur scripted a triumph that can easily be recreated on the silver screen. Even the words coming from him can be mistaken for crisp dialogued sheet: "Whatever ball you deliver, it should be the best ball you have ever bowled." And with a team willing to take it in stone, they executed it to perfection.

However, despite being in the fringes of selection many a time, and having played Under-19 cricket within a year since making his first-class debut, the youth team call-up was a godsend, although he would have wished for a notch higher.

"I was hoping for a national call-up, thought maybe at least my name would be considered," he says of the team recently selected for the back-to-back ODI engagements.

Trivedi knows he is knocking on a room's door which is overflowing with fast bowling talent. But this man is of a different mould altogether, much like Shaun Pollock, with his wide run-up, finishing inches beside the stumps at the time of his delivery stride, trying to tease the batsman with an unerring, nagging line.

He is a refreshing change in a barrage of quicks, someone who can create that uncertainty from the other end. For a lean frame, Trivedi boasts of a sharp bouncer and can move the ball either way. But he will have to wait.

"There is a lot of cricket before the next IPL gets underway. There is a full first-class season to do well in. But I'm also looking forward to the youth team's tour to Australia." Surely, even Shane Warne will be looking forward to that.

"He is a real legend. The way he motivates you is just fantastic. But it's his simplicity that adds to his greatness. He treats everyone in the team as equal," he boasts of the spin great.

For Trivedi, a new challenge is upon him. The IPL has not only thrown him into the limelight, but several others such as Manpreet Gony, Ashoke Dinda and Yo Mahesh. Added competition, however, is not going to deter him to go that extra mile.

"Competition is always there. The good thing about the IPL is that all of us have got chances, which has renewed our hope. But I don't need to worry about that. I just need to perform in Australia and do well in the domestic circuit and keep away from injuries (I didn't miss any game this season)."

As part of the Hollywood entourage, all Trivedi needs to do is follow the script, and "find a way."

More Headlines from Interviews

• 'The situation will improve till 2011'

• We can win Test series in India: Vaughan

• India inching towards becoming No.1: Srikkanth

• Lloyd enthralled by the Indian team

• Eden Test set up overseas wins: Laxman