Does Pankaj Singh fully deserves his inclusion in the Test team?

When I read the news on INDIA`s test side selection for the tour of ENGLAND this july, I had a mixed reaction. The good thing to see was the inclusion of Gautam Gambhir. I have felt over the years that he was one of INDIA`s finest openers and his career can`t be over in a few years. I was really happy to see him back in the team. Although he showed a glimpse of his fine batting in this IPL but was not among many runs. His inclusion is not based on his IPL performance but rather his domestic performance.

The next name that struck me was : PANKAJ SINGH. I was like… "I have heard this player`s name before." But I could not gather which domestic team he plays for. Pankaj Singh is a Rajasthan Ranji team member and one very important member of their team. Do we all remember the 2010 and 2011 winners of Ranji trophy. Yes, Rajasthan won this elite trophy in both the years. Yet it was surprising to see no domestic player from this team being drafted into National side. Now I remembered this tall fast bowler has also played for an IPL team as well.

Well, this was not just enough for my mind to relax and be proud of this lad. I quickly googled him to check his records. His last match this year was while he represented Rest of India against the Ranji Trophy winners Karnataka. He took a six wicket haul to prove why he was selected for the Irani Cup. Not just this, this fast bowler born in UP has already taken 300 wickets in the domestic circuit at a very impressive average of 25.

He has been among the top wicket takers between 2009 and 2014. He was the match winner for his ranji team in the years 2010 and 2011 when Rajasthan lifted the trophy. Pankaj Singh has quietly made his name amongst the selectors and has been rewarded for his consistent performance in the domestic circuit. He has been picked alongside Bhuvaneshwar Kumar, Ishant Sharma, Shami, Ishwar Pandey and varun Aaron. Most of them are based on their T20 performaces. But this lanky fast bowler has been selected for his domestic wicket taking. He will be the tallest of the 6 fast bowlers picked. It will be tough for him to make it to the playing XI but will be a learning experience for him. I will be very eager to watch him bowl in those seaming friendly tracks in ENGLAND. So for me, PANKAJ SINGH is not a surprise inclusion in the test side. I wish him LUCK on his first International tour.