The touring teams usually request the host nation for special assistance in the nets. They may require bowlers with some special abilities. This time, however, the Netherlands made a different demand. They required a left-hand batter for practice ahead of the group stage encounter against India in Ahmedabad. The team contacted the Gujarat Cricket Association on Monday witih a very obvious reason. The Netherlands do not have a left-hand batter in their line-up. However, they are soon going to face an Indian side that may include as many as six left-handers in the top eight. Players such as Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, and Axar Patel are all left-handers. Therefore, the Dutch side wanted to prepare themselves in the best possible manner. It was not an easy task. The Gujarat domestic season was already over, and their Ranji Trophy campaign was also finished before the knockouts. It was not easy to find a left-hand batter at such short notice. That is when the association contacted the Gujarat captain Manan Hingrajia. Also Read | Gambhir Approached by RR; Will he leave ICT? A Quick Call and a Big Opportunity Hingrajia, 27, was practicing alone at the Gujarat College ground when he got the call. He was asked to reach the Narendra Modi Stadium by 6 pm. At first, he didn’t know why. After completing his batting practice, he rushed through the traffic and reached the stadium on time. There, he was taken to the Netherlands camp and greeted by head coach Ryan Cook. Shortly, he was asked to take strike against the Netherlands bowlers, who had just completed their fitness activities. He was given a clear instruction. Bat freely and play all your shots. The bowlers used both new and old balls. Hingrajia went for the attack from the very first ball. He played powerful straight shots that went into the empty stands under the bright floodlights. Security personnel were placed around the ground to collect the balls. Also Read | Yuvraj Sharma creates history, becomes first Associate batter to have a T20 World Cup century Two Hours Under the Lights The practice session continued for two hours without any breaks. For Hingrajia, it became a memorable experience. Batting in the middle of the Narendra Modi Stadium in the T20 World Cup was not what he had planned for that day. For the Netherlands, it was a good practice session before they had to face the strong left-hand line-up of India. For Hingrajia, it was a bonus session and an opportunity to face the international attack. Sometimes, one phone call can make all the difference in making an ordinary day a memorable one.