Thomas Draca (Image credit: Special arrangements)

NEW DELHI: When the legendary Sachin Tendulkar retired, he left the crowd with a piece of timeless advice: “Chase your dreams, they do come true.” For Italy allrounder Thomas Draca, one long-cherished dream is now within reach — meeting his idol, Hardik Pandya, during the T20 World Cup. On the field, whether with bat or ball, Draca strives to mirror Pandya’s intensity and fearless approach to the game.But his admiration doesn’t stop at cricketing skills alone. Draca also tries to emulate Pandya’s energy and demeanor off the field, reflecting the all-rounder’s professionalism and charisma in his own conduct.

“It’s my dream to play alongside him [Hardik Pandya]. I don’t really look forward to playing against him or bowling to him, but if we qualify and I get the chance to play against him or meet him, it would be an incredible experience. He’s someone I’ve always looked up to and model my game after. I’m an all-rounder too, and I really admire the way he approaches the game — the way he engages with the public and carries himself in the media. That’s something I try to emulate now,” Draca told TimesofIndia.com in an exclusive interview.

“Matching his energy is tough — he’s always on top of his game. If I can mirror that as I progress, I think I’ll be on the right path for a good career. I’d love to chat with him, get some tips. He seems like such a nice guy and has been one of my heroes growing up. I love how he plays fearlessly, takes on the contest with both bat and ball, and that’s what I’m trying to do myself. If I can do a little of that, I’ll know I’m heading in the right direction,” he added.Italy, a nation long celebrated for its football domination, is set to make its maiden appearance on the T20 World Cup stage. The Azzurri find themselves in a challenging group alongside Scotland, West Indies, Nepal, and England.Despite the stiff competition, 25-year-old Draca remains confident about Italy’s chances of progressing to the Super Eights, eager to make a mark on the global stage; meet his idol Pandya and ask him the questions he has already noted in his travel diary.

“One thing I’d ask him is how much his watch is worth — he’s wearing a Royal Oak! (laughs) Just kidding. I’d also ask about his variations, especially in the back end of the innings. I really like his off-cutter and knuckleball, so I’d probably ask him about those,” he said.“Then, I’d just have a chat and try to pick his brain. Whether it’s for five seconds or five minutes, I don’t care — we’ll see how long the conversation goes,” Draca added with a smile.A ‘SPECIAL’ PENDANTThe 25-year-old Draca has been honing his skills under the guidance of legends Dennis Lillee and Carlos Brathwaite.Lillee has been mentoring him in the art of pace bowling, while Brathwaite, famous for hitting four successive sixes off Ben Stokes in the final over of the 2016 T20 World Cup to secure the title for West Indies, has been shaping his all-round game.

“I was fortunate to meet Carlos Brathwaite during a franchise stint. Over the past year and a half, he’s really taken me under his wing. I’ve flown to Barbados multiple times to work out with his S&C coach, Jamar. He’s invested a lot of time in my cricket. Carlos always tells me to stay calm and be myself on the pitch. Don’t worry about the pressure — just enjoy the game. That mindset has really helped me stay relaxed, focus on my plans, and perform,” Draca said.“I’ve also got Dennis Lillee as a mentor. He guided me when I was 17, helping me through rehab and teaching me discipline both on and off the field. He even gave me his World Series chain to wear during the World Cup, which is an incredible inspiration. I know I’ll be emotional the first time I put it on,” he added.“Having that chain around my neck reminds me of the belief these greats have in me. It gives me the confidence to keep things simple, bowl fast, enjoy the game, and perform for my country,” Draca said.