The tall medium-pacer has been one of Indian domestic circuit's most consistent performers for quite some time. In fact, he has been among the highest wicket-takers in Ranji Trophy for the past five years. Yet, a berth in the Indian team had been eluding him.
Finally on Wednesday, the hard-working Pankaj was rewarded for his efforts with a place in the 18-member squad for July's tour of England.
"I think I deserve it," Pankaj told TOI. "I had been performing quiet well in the domestic circuit, yet wasn't being considered good enough for the Indian squad. Now that I have got this opportunity, I will strive to make it count."
It is also quite significant that Pankaj's parent association, Rajasthan Cricket Association, is currently suspended by the BCCI.
It recalls that while handing out the suspension, the BCCI had made it clear that players from the state will not suffer.
With Deepak Chahar making the Emerging squad a few days ago and now with Pankaj finding a place in the India squad, the BCCI could well be reaching out to the players, assuring that they will be taken care of, despite the standoff among administrators.
"There was an obvious tension when the RCA was suspended," Pankaj said.
"We players were not quite sure how we will be treated. Whether we would be made to suffer or not. However, the BCCI had provided hope when it had said that the players will be looked after. It is good to see that the players are getting their due, despite everything that has happened recently."
Pankaj's selection might have come out of the blue for many, but the selectors clearly had an eye on him since last year, when he was selected in the Rest Of India squad in the Irani Cup tie against Karnataka.
Although ROI suffered an innings defeat, Pankaj was the highest wicket-taker for the team with a six-for-122.
"I had been hoping that my performances are being noticed, but when I wasn't getting called up for India, a kind of frustration was setting in," Pankaj said. "I was wondering what more I had to do."
The frustration was telling on the field too, although with his vast experience, he continued to lead the Rajasthan attack. "I never lost hope," he added.
"Every time an Indian team was being selected, I hoped that I would get a mention."
Pankaj was in the India Test squad that toured Australia in 2008, but did not get to play in any match. He made his India debut in One-Day Internationals in 2010 in Harare against Sri Lanka under Suresh Raina's captaincy. Pankaj went wicketless in his seven overs, conceding 45 runs.
"This is a great opportunity for me," Pankaj said.
Conditions in England would suit his style of bowling, as he banks more on seam than pace. He has never played in England before, but is not worried about that. "I will try to utilize the conditions and give of my best," he said.
Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang
I never lost hope, says Pankaj Singh
Dengan url
http://bijikacang.blogspot.com/2014/05/i-never-lost-hope-says-pankaj-singh_29.html
Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya
I never lost hope, says Pankaj Singh
namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link
I never lost hope, says Pankaj Singh
sebagai sumbernya
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar