It had been a day of mixed fortunes for Pankaj Singh. At the
very special moment, perhaps, when the national selectors were discussing his
name for the Australia tour, Pankaj was busy battling it out in Jhalawar,
trying to secure for Rajasthan their first-ever victory over Mumbai in the
Ranji Trophy. Pankaj couldn’t save Rajasthan from losing by two runs — but he
did get the selectors’ call. It was a reward for his strong domestic performances
over the past year and, if it surprised most people, Pankaj himself was
confident that the national call was around the corner. In a way he was
expecting this call, especially after my five-wicket haul against a side like
Mumbai in the first innings at Jnalawar,” an excited Pankaj, Singh, he is just 22,
said.
His height — he stands 6’5” in his socks — and broad
shoulders have been his principal assets, along with his work ethic, in
purchasing wickets on the flat, unresponsive Indian pitches for the past two
years. Venkatesh Prasad, the Indian bowling coach, felt the same during the
bowlers’ camp held in Mysore In June, before the England tour, where Pankaj was
called at the last minute based on his performances during the previous Ranji
season. He's a tall and hardworking fast bowler with a good outswinger.
He was Prasad’s assessment at the time. Pankaj, who took the
new ball during the India-A tour to Kenya and then against South Africa at
home, runs in hard and delivers with a side-on action. His stock ball is the
outswinger that leaves the right-hander at a decent pace, something his
colleague Ishant Sharma can make use of in his secret delivery is the disguised
incutter that he utilizes intelligently.
The outswinger came naturally, but my experience during the A
tours this year helped me bring more variety and the inswinger is a work in
progress. His relative youth would raise expectations of greater pace but for
now, Pankaj is happy consistently hitting the 135kmph mark, so as long as he can
pitch it on the right spot. If he can
hit the back-of-the-length and short-of-good-length consistently, that’s the
priority,” Prasad says.
In essence, he is asking Pankaj to do what he has been doing
for Rajasthan for the last two seasons. Pankaj understands that well and is not
fretting over the lack of pace. A good line-and-length is what you want to
focus on and as for pace, he will definitely increase it with time.” KP Bhaskar
said, in his first season as Rajasthan's coach.
Also, his coach believes Pankaj can bridge the gap between
domestic and international cricket. “Line and length are his biggest strong
points. Also adding that the reason Pankaj is a tall all-out fast bowler is
that he has to shoulder the burden of the fast bowling attack almost
single-hand. Prasad says India has never been a nation of fast bowlers in any
case and it would be beneficial if Pankaj can focus on consistency. With the
Ishant Sharma has bagged his maiden five-for, and Zaheer Khan and RP Singh
returning to the fold. So, therefore Pankaj Singh will most likely be an
understudy to the seniors.
If at all he gets a chance, it will be during the two
practice games ahead of the first Test on Boxing Day at the MCG. Pankaj's
performances appear to have impressed Dilip Vengsarkar, the chairman of
selectors, who met him for the first time during the 2006-07 Deodhar Trophy.
Since then, Pankaj says, Vengsarkar has encouraged him to believe in himself. Work
on your basics and concentrate on your strengths, he told me.
Pankaj’s trip to Mysore earlier this year saw
him acquire a more positive mindset. We spoke a lot about mental toughness
Pankaj recalls his conversations with Prasad and the other bowlers. The
ideal tool apart from his height, broad shoulders, and strong work ethic, for
that trip to Australia. Watch out for Tendulkar, to score heavily against
Australia on what will be his last tour of the country. Labeling Tendulkar as
the best batsman he has played against, Warne said in the Herald Sun: There is
no doubt he will play one or two special innings in this Test series.
Absolutely no doubt, he will play a couple of unbelievable breathtaking
innings. I don't believe just because he is getting old, he is finished. Given
the conditions, Melbourne, Sydney, or Perth.
