Mumbai: Gujarat captain and opener Priyank Panchal stated that he is honoured to be a part of the Test squad and excited teaming up with the legendary Rahul Dravid after being added to India’s Test squad for the South Africa Test series. Panchal has made the cut after Rohit Sharma was ruled out of the Test series due to a hamstring injury.
Panchal had been waiting for an opportunity for many years and he finally earned an India call-up on Monday after senior opener Rohit Sharma was ruled out of the Test series against South Africa. Rohit’s left-hamstring injury resurfaced during the team’s net session, leading to Panchal replacing him in the opening mix.
For years Panchal was at it, going through the domestic grind and piling up tones of runs for Gujarat. Leading India ‘A’ in South Africa recently, he played his 100th First-Class match.
With 100 first-class matches under his belt with 7011 runs including 24 tons, the 31-year-old Panchal will be competing with Mayank Agarwal and KL Rahul at the opening lineup. Earlier, the India ‘A’ skipper from Gujarat was also added as a reserve member for the home series against England.
“It was just three days back that I returned home from South Africa. I hadn’t even unpacked properly, and now, I find myself landing in Mumbai (to join the Team India bio-bubble),” Panchal was quoted as saying to the Times of India.
“I’ve been doing well since the last few years for Gujarat and India ‘A’, and I’ve been waiting for this chance for many years, but I didn’t expect to get this chance. This is a pleasant surprise. I am well aware of the conditions in South Africa. If I get a chance, the experience of playing in South Africa will definitely help me. As far as the challenges are concerned, I have prepared myself in such a way that I am ready for any challenge.” he added.
Having been snubbed for a spot in the team for years, Priyank admitted that he did feel a bit low to not get recognition despite superlative performances.
“it’s natural to feel a bit low after not getting a chance while I was scoring so many runs. However, my personality is such that I was always thinking: ‘What am I lacking now as a batsman? If I want to play for India, then what should I do to become more impactful? What kind of a game is required in international cricket? I’m glad that all my hard work and persistence have finally paid off,” he said.
Panchal, who has just come back from South African conditions will be needed to find the same focus he showed while playing for India A recently.
“The experience of having played in South Africa recently will surely help me. I’m glad I’ve played for India ‘A’ for the last four-five years. That’s a big stage where I’ve played most of the international bowlers,” he added.
Panchal also opened up on the conversation he had with Rahul Dravid when the latter was the India A coach. Panchal even got the opportunity to lead the India A side under Dravid as the coach. While the batsman was understandably pumped with the development, Dravid advised him to keep things.
“When I became the India ‘A’ captain for the first time (against Sri Lanka A), I was excited, but Rahul sir told me to ‘just be normal, keep doing things like before. You have the ability, which is why you’ve been given this role.’ Those words really helped me,” Panchal concluded.
