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[Vic Nicholas]

Howdy guys,

I just received this morning a brand new SS Gladiator direct from Meerut courtesy of one of the posters on this site whose brother sourced it for me via an Indian retailer in Meerut itself.

The bat was apparently hand selected for me by none other than Jatin Sareen himself (supposedly) and I have to say it is utterly magnificent.

Weighing in at around 2 pounds 8.5 ounces with a multitude of ruler straight grains and typically lightweight pick up (like my other SS bats).

The ping has only been tested with the mallet so far, and it is appears to be excellent from what I can tell so far.

The Gladiator I have has a higher spine on it compared to the LE's, but also has more concaving to compensate for that (as you will see in the photos).

Anyways, here are some pictures of the new bat alongside my two SS LE's (one purchased in 2012 and the other in 2013).

Fire away with any questions:

[shax12]

Looks nice. Hope it goes well for you. How much you paid for it and also did you pay sareen directly. As I'm in touch with them and they telling me to put money in their account.
Also how are the pick up and balance on these ss bats.

[Giraffe208]

Nice set you've accumulated there Vic

[Vic Nicholas]

Pick up and balance are superb on all the SS bats I have.

No, I did not buy directly off SS, I got through a retailer in Meerut and the bat was picked up and posted to me by a forum posters brother.

I haven't named the poster who helped me because he is not a retailer, just a bat fanatic like us all and I don't want everyone to suddenly bombard him with requests to source bats for them from India as he is an accountant and not a retailer.

Cheers.

[Vic Nicholas]

Nice set you've accumulated there Vic

Thanks matey!

[mujju]

Lovely bats...gorgeous gladiator that is ..Top stuff ..enjoy

[The Palmist]

No, I did not buy directly off SS, I got through a retailer in Meerut and the bat was picked up and posted to me by a forum posters brother.

I haven't named the poster who helped me because he is not a retailer, just a bat fanatic like us all and I don't want everyone to suddenly bombard him with requests to source bats for them from India as he is an accountant and not a retailer.

Cheers.

Nice bats and agree about pickup. A bit softly pressed in my experience.

I think I know who may have helped you with posting the bat. I shall reveal his identity in due course or you can pay me a little something to keep mum 

[Vic Nicholas]

Nice bats and agree about pickup. A bit softly pressed in my experience.

I think I know who may have helped you with posting the bat. I shall reveal his identity in due course or you can pay me a little something to keep mum 

I am happy to pay tribute to this for members generosity of spirit to get his brother going to Meerut for me and liaising with SS...but I will leave it up to him, as I don't want to put him under massive pressure if suddenly 10-15 people all wanted him to source SS bats for them.

I am already trying to think of ways where I can do him a massive favour in return for all his help.

A top bloke - like most of the punters on here are.

[SkipperJ]

I like the LE in the middle better, but if Jatin himself selected the Gladiator, I'm sure it must be a gun 

[Vic Nicholas]

I like the LE in the middle better, but if Jatin himself selected the Gladiator, I'm sure it must be a gun 

The older SS LE from 2012 is absolutely amazing ping wise...and just have a look at the grains on it, almost as good as the Gladiator 2014!

The 2013 SS LE does not have [perfect grains, but it picks up beautifully and pings really well too, so cannot complain.

Ultimately, SS bats are fantastic and the fact that many pros use them even with their sponsors stickers over the top tells you that they must be a good quality bat.

[kal_m]

Nice collection there Vic.I have seen a couple of Gladiators and this one seems to have a lot more concaving. Hope it goes well for you.

And may I know how much you paid for it?

[mujju]

I am happy to pay tribute to this for members generosity of spirit to get his brother going to Meerut for me and liaising with SS...but I will leave it up to him, as I don't want to put him under massive pressure if suddenly 10-15 people all wanted him to source SS bats for them.

I am already trying to think of ways where I can do him a massive favour in return for all his help.

A top bloke - like most of the punters on here are.

Who is that james bond? Lolz ..frankly i am planning to get one reserve edition or a gladiator like yours:)..can you pm me his name if you dont want to mention it ..

[Julesoak]

Looks great Vic.  Kind of reminds me of a beefed up Ridgeback!

[Vic Nicholas]

I doubt the forum member will be under much pressure living in dubai

Picture the following scenario:

I want ten different bats that can only be purchased in Brisbane...now I want you to send your brother there (assuming you are from Sydney) to pick them up for me and other posters (even though I am not paying your brother anything for his troubles).

Would you be happy to do that for me? Or anyone else on this forum?

I didn't think so.

This bloke does indeed live in Dubai and his brother who actually picked up and paid for the bat in advance and then posted it to me lives about a 10-11 hour drive away from Meerut where he picked the bat up from. He then drove back to his home city of Rampur and posted it off. That is a round trip in excess of 20 hours.

Now do you think I would want to subject this kind poster's brother to that kind of gruelling road trip for bats for forum users?

As I said earlier, I am still trying to think of ways that I can repay this poster and his brother, such was their kindness. I do not want to abuse this kindness they have shown.

[Northern monkey]

I've gotta say, the more of these bats I see, the more I like em
Very very nice collection
Thank you for posting the pics