LUCKNOW, Aug. 21 -- In the Indian domestic cricket history, Uttar Pradesh's Ashish Winston Zaidi happens to be one of the biggest names as far as pace bowling is concerned. With 378 wickets in 110 first-class matches during his 18-year career, the statistic speaks volumes about his calibre. It is a well-known fact that Zaidi had his beginnings in the game from the muddy soil of the Yamuna Christian College ground in Allahabad (now Parayagraj). Almost 19 years after Zaidi's retirement, a young right arm pacer Atal Bihari Rai from the same Yamuna Christian College ground has been making waves in the ongoing third edition of the UPTwenty20 League with five wickets in just two matches for the Kashi Rudras. The 26-year-old pacer was the top wicket taker in the first edition of the UPTwenty20 League in 2023 with 25 wickets in 11 matches, but an injury denied him further success in the second season in 2024, where he got five wickets in 10 matches. However, the new season is turning out to be good for him as he is the Purple Cap holder right now. "I didn't know that Zaidi Sir too had his initial training at the same venue from where I began my career. It's a big honour for me that I am chasing the legacy of a great bowler of Indian domestic cricket like Zaidi Sir," said Atal Bihari Rai on the eve of Kashi Rudras' match against Noida Kings on Thursday. "I would love to touch the milestone set by Zaidi Sir in his cricketing career, but that's a long journey as of now. I am happy to regain old form in the third edition of the prestigious event and my current target is to finish as the highest wicket taker in this season too," said Rai, who shares the leading wicket taker tag with Yash Garg, who also has five wickets so far. Rai, who made his first-class debut for Uttar Pradesh in 2023, has so far got six wickets in five domestic matches, including a wicket in a List A match. "Sometimes, I feel that I haven't got enough opportunity to showcase my skill in domestic matches, and also feel that injury too put me behind in the last season. "It was tough to recover from injury as I was away from cricket for almost eight months, but during rehab I kept working hard on my fitness and confidence. Yes, I sustained injury during the final match of the first season of the UPTwenty20 League in 2023. Even in the second season, I tried my best but due to lack of proper practice, I couldn't meet my expectations." Rai, who now trains at the KP College ground in Prayagraj, said that after seeing his father's love for cricket, he chose to play cricket. "Despite being a cop, my father has always been fascinated with cricket. So, when I grew up, I decided to become a cricketer, and particularly a bowler," said Rai, adding, "Even now my father is very busy with his job, but he keeps getting updates of my daily performance from other family members." The cricketer, who has now joined the North Eastern Railway at Gorakhpur, sounds committed to play for Uttar Pradesh in the new domestic season. "Everyone wants to play for the state team, but at the same time Railways is a good option," said lanky Rai, who after doing wonders for Uttar Pradesh in the Under-16 event at the start of his career, was superb in Under-23 as he took eight wickets in his debut match against Punjab. "That was a memorable start to my cricketing career in the senior set up as I missed all my under-19 cricket life due to a fractured leg. In fact, that performance fetched me a place in the Ranji Trophy team. But this time, I am feeling well and bowling on the right lines and would love to play the new upcoming Ranji Trophy season."...