Kerala lad to play for UAE in 2015 World Cup

KOCHI: Krishnachandran Karate, who represented Kerala in the Under-19, U-22, U-25 categories, has been picked in the UAE team for the 2015 Cricket World Cup beginning in Australia next month.
Krishnachandran who was among Ranji Trophy probables during the 2008-2009 season moved to UAE in 2010 as he failed to make it big in Kerala.
Though he moved from Palakkad to Middle East in search of a better job, Krishnachandran did not give up his passion and the four-year wait finally bore fruit when he was selected to don UAE colours in the Asian Cricket Council championship held in Malaysia in May.
Former Kerala Ranji Trophy captain Sony Cheruvathur said Krishnachandran was a hardworking player who fights till the end.
"Krishnachandran was very talented but unfortunately he could not make it to the Kerala Ranji team. He worked really hard to make it to UAE squad and I hope this World Cup would change his fortunes," said Sony.
Suresh, former Palakkad Cricket Association treasurer, also said Krishnachandran's attitude would bring him big success in the mega event. "It's a great platform and he could be a real match winner if he finds his balance in batting and bowling," said Suresh who played a mentor's role in Krishnachandran's career.
Krishnachandran has played 6 ODIs for UAE and has scored 81 runs from four innings. As an effective medium-pace bowler, he has been consistent with the ball too, picking up six wickets with a best of 3-35 against Afghanistan in November 2014. Krishnachandran went to college in Bengaluru and represented Mahaveer Jain College in various University Championships.
UAE, led by Mohammad Tauqir, is placed in Pool B, alongside Pakistan, India, South Africa, West Indies, Zimbabwe and Ireland. UAE will begin their campaign on February 19 against Zimbabwe.
It would be a dream match for Krishnachandran when UAE fac?e? India on February 28? and he would be hoping for a ?great show with bat and ball? against his heroes?