For cricketer Deshmukh, Rajput's passing means a wish unfulfilled

PUNE: Maharashtra cricketer Digvijay Deshmukh has only fond memories of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, who allegedly committed suicide on Sunday.
The 22-year-old pacer shared the screen with Rajput in 2013 film Kai Po Che!
Then 15, Deshmukh portrayed the character of Ali Hashmi in the film, while Rajput played the role of cricketer and Ali's coach Ishan Bhatt.
The first on-screen interaction of two characters sees young Ali smashing Ishan off the park three consecutive times.The scene brings back the flashes of a famous dialogue "Maahi Maar Raha Hain!" from MS Dhoni, The Untold Story, a film based on Mahendra Singh Dhoni and the lead character played by Sushant Singh Rajput.
"I am at a loss for words, thinking about it just blanks me," Digvijay told TOI, his voice shaking over the phone. "I cannot get my head around, what must've happened that forced him to do something like this. It is just saddening.
"Whenever we were on the set (of Kai Po Che), he spoke about the game. Whenever we played cricket, he always wanted to be the best. I was playing professional cricket even then, he was eager to learn even from me, which shows how humble he really was," Deshmukh said.
Deshmukh, who made his Ranji Trophy debut against Jammu and Kashmir last year, recalled one particular memory of the actor, from the last day of filming.
"Sushant (sir) asked what I wanted to be when I grew up. I told him, ‘I want to be a cricketer and play on a bigger level and I will come to meet you when I will achieve it.'"
The lanky pacer was picked up by Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction for his base price of Rs. 20 lakh. Deshmukh wanted to meet the actor after turning out for Mumbai, but that wish will remain unfulfilled.