Devendra Bundela, the Madhya Pradesh captain, is two months short of turning 40. At an age where many of his contemporaries are long into retirement and have taken up coaching assignments, umpiring, commentary or lucrative media careers, Bundi bhai, as he is popularly known, still travels the length and breadth of India every year for the Ranji Trophy, a ritual he first started as a 19-year old in 1995-96.On Tuesday, he will play his 137th Ranji Trophy match and surpass his friend Amol Muzumdar, the former Mumbai captain, to become the most-capped cricketer in tournaments 83-year history.Cricket has taught me discipline, Bundela tells ESPNcricinfo. Coming from Ujjain [a town in Madhya Pradesh], which didnt have a history of cricket, it took me a while to get adjusted to rigours of professional cricket. That drove me to go out of my way and try and be an achiever.I took the decision to move out of my hometown to Indore very early. There was no guarantee of succeeding, but the challenges made me work that much harder. Its been a long journey, of ups and downs. Looking back now, I can say Ive given it my best despite the limitations I had. There are no regrets.The limitations Bundela refers to is about his own game and batting style. Growing up in an era that produced the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman and Sourav Ganguly, he says, made him feel he had to work that much harder.These guys were all so naturally gifted, Bundela, the third highest run-getter in Ranji Trophy history, says. In comparison, I realised I had to work doubly hard to be amidst these names. I used to learn from these guys even back in the day. Ultimately, it doesnt matter who you learn from.The other aspect to Bundelas career has been the motivation and drive to continue this long. By his own admission, he realised somewhere after 2004, that an India cap may be difficult. His performances were noteworthy, but Madhya Pradeshs inability to win the coveted domestic title, he says, may have played a part in a lot of cricketers from the region not coming through then despite being talented and consistent.I think the turning point was the 1998-99 Ranji season, he says. Maybe if we had beaten Karnataka in the Ranji final, things may have been different. To lose despite taking the first-innings lead hurt a lot. It does even today. If I could replay one match in my career, it would be that game. I clearly remember, around then, I was being talked about for a berth in the [national] team. I kept scoring runs. If Id finished off that game, probably the trajectory of my career would have taken a different path. It is this example that Bundela often impresses upon his young team-mates, when they come to him for advice: If you score a hundred, make sure you go beyond. If theres a task you can finish, dont leave it to the others. If youre in a good patch, try to keep going.What starts off as a healthy cricket discussion slowly veers into philosophy and the journey of life, according to Bundela. But he admits the current generation is much more focused and clear in their outlook. Youngsters today are much more confident, he says. There are so many avenues. Today, theres focus on India A tours, IPL, exchange programmes.For us, it was just Ranji Trophy. So cricketers of my generation had a different outlook. So by the time theyre playing for India, theyve been there and done that. Ultimately, irrespective of the level you play at, the basics remain the same - hard work, commitment and discipline. It doesnt matter if youre 22, 35 or 40. Thats what I keep telling them. Over two decades, Bundela has seen the landscape of domestic cricket change in front of his eyes. Among the changes he picks out immediately is professionalism. Twenty years ago, we were paid 1000 rupees per match. We used to travel by train, he says. Then, it became 2000, 4000, and slowly 10,000. Today, a domestic cricketer is paid in lakhs. You can definitely live comfortably. That way, domestic cricket today isnt like how it was when we started.When we first started, we used to play on turning wickets. There were no debates like there are today. It was a given that you would encounter challenges. If a game got over in two days, that was it. There were no debates or questions about the pitch. We used to just accept it and move on. In todays age of professionalism, where every performance is scrutinised, its different. That way, playing with two different generations has been a challenge. Ive also had to evolve in the way I think about the game these days, because thats how fast professional cricket has moved.Among the things professionalism has dictated, he says, is his diet. Today, the first thing I think of before putting something on my plate is if Im allowed to eat it. At my age, gym routines become important. Fitness wasnt as big a routine for me 20 years back. But over the last 10 years, thats an aspect of cricket that has changed.Amid the changes, the one thing that has remained constant is Bundelas passion. How long? you ask. Thoda time aur [A little while longer], he replies. The only disappointment is being unable to win the Ranji Trophy. We qualified for the semi-finals last year. This year it looks tough, but if we win the next two games outright, who knows. You cant give up easily, can you?Ask him how he wants to be remembered, and he is very clear: A simple and hardworking cricketer who gave his best for the team. Denis Malgin Panthers Jersey . A big centre with all the tools to be an elite player, Johansen paced the Blue Jackets with a standout game Saturday night. He had a goal and two assists for a career-high three points as Columbus beat the New York Islanders 5-2 to snap a five-game losing streak. Henrik Borgstrom Jersey . 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The incident occurred at 19:56 of the second period of the Kings 4-2 road win over Edmonton on Sunday. Nolan punched Oilers forward Jesse Joensuu in the jaw in front of the Kings goal during a scrum. IOWA CITY, Iowa -- Nicholas Baer arrived at Iowa in 2014 as a spindly walk-on who looked as though he might never be more than a practice body.These days, the Hawkeyes dont know what they would do without him.Baers 4.8 points and 2.6 rebounds per game last season dont reflect how truly valuable he was. Baers versatility and energy off the bench were crucial as the Hawkeyes reached the NCAA Tournament for the third year in a row. There doesnt appear to be a starting spot for the 6-foot-7 Baer in 2016-17, but coach Fran McCaffery intends to lean on Baer for a boost as much as possible.Hell do a lot of the same things, but hell have an expanded role. Hell play more, McCaffery said Wednesday at the teams annual media day.That Baer blossomed into a Big Ten player in just two years is a testament to his work ethic and feel for the game.Baer posted an impressive resume in high school, earning first-team all-state honors as a senior for Bettendorf (Iowa) while averaging 15.2 points, 9.1 rebounds, 2.2 blocks, 1.5 steals and 1.5 assists. But Baer was just 185 pounds, and no school outside of Division II Northwest Missouri State offered him a scholarship.McCaffery saw something in Baer that few others did, inviting him to join the Hawkeyes with no promise of a scholarship.Baer redshirted in 2014-15. Last season, Iowa brought in a big freshman class to augment a roster with four senior starters -- leaving Baer almost no shot at playing time. Baer had to force his way into the rotation, which he has done in part by putting on 20 pounds since high school.Its been extremely difficult. Its been a long process for sure, Baer said. I feel stronger than ever, and I have more stamina to sustain that effort thats been successful for me.Baer raiseed some eyebrows in last seasons opener, hitting a pair of garbage-time 3-pointers in a blowout of Gardner-Webb.dddddddddddd A few weeks later, he had eight points off the bench in a win over then-No. 20 Wichita State.Bears breakout moment helped save the Hawkeyes from an embarrassing defeat to instate rival Drake. Iowa was sluggish until Baer came off the bench and scored 13 points with seven rebounds and six blocks to help the Hawkeyes escape 70-64.Baer was a key reserve the rest of the way, scoring 15 points in Iowas blowout loss to eventual national champion Villanova in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.Baers efforts were rewarded by the coaching staff this spring with a scholarship.It just shows what our program is about. He gives everything he has every time hes on the court. He has heart, Iowa forward Ahmad Wagner said.How much Baer will play for the Hawkeyes is up in the air with the season still a month away.Wagner and Dom Uhl figure to be the favorites to start in the frontcourt. Junior college transfer Dale Jones and talented freshman Tyler Cook -- who McCaffery said Wednesday had the highest ceiling of any recruit he has ever landed -- will likely get key minutes as well.But Iowas coaching staff has learned not to underestimate Baer, one of the players they know they dont have to worry about.He makes plays, he makes shots. He rebounds the ball, he defends and he plays both ends. He thinks the game through, McCaffery said. I mean, hes as professional as they come. So hes going to be a very important part of our team for the next three years.---Online: www.collegebasketball.ap.org ' ' '