One expected either Murali Vijay or Karun Nair to hog the limelight. But when the big guns failed to fire, uncapped Priyank Panchal took the opportunity
Priyank Panchal
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One expected either Murali Vijay or Karun Nair to hog the limelight. But when the big guns failed to fire, uncapped Priyank Panchal took the opportunity to claim the accolades when he became only the 11th batsman to register a century in each innings in a Duleep Trophy match.
At the Ekana Stadium here on Saturday, Panchal followed his first innings' 105, with an even more impressive unbeaten 133 in the second dig to help India Red take the upper hand against India Green.
The opportunity to excel could not have come at a better time for Ahmedabad-born Panchal, as he had missed the India A tour of South Africa last month due to dengue. And with New Zealand A slated to tour India for two four-day games and five one-dayers later this month, he has reminded the selectors of his talent, form and fitness at the right time. Panchal came into spotlight during the last Ranji Trophy season when he amassed 1,310 runs, the third highest ever in one season.
En route, he became the first Gujarat batsman to cross the 1000-mark and also the first to register a triple century for his state. "I was really disappointed when I missed the opportunity to tour SA with the India A team. But Duleep Trophy was added to the schedule, which has given me a chance to prove my credentials," Panchal said.
He felt that batting against pink ball under floodlights has not made much of a difference. "Sighting the ball has not been a problem, be it spinners or pacers. It is almost like batting against the red ball," Panchal added.
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