Pankaj shines in Brisbane

India A finished third (with 12 points) in the recently concluded Emerging Players Tournament in Brisbane. And one player who made his presence felt was Pankaj Singh, reports Heena Zuni Pandit.

India A finished third (with 12 points) in the recently concluded Emerging Players Tournament in Brisbane. And one player who made his presence felt, grabbing wickets, was Pankaj Singh.

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The medium pacer from Sultanpur district of Uttar Pradesh, took nine wickets in the 6 matches, making him the leading wicket taker. Singh, high on confidence, feels that the exposure has helped him emerge as a more serene bowler.

“Playing with Australia, South Africa and New Zealand was good exposure for me. The pitches were really good, I loved bowling there,” said Singh.

“I used the domestic season to do all the hard work and was looking for such an opportunity. Besides, the month long camp in Bangalore also proved fruitful. I feel more composed now when I bowl,” he added.

Singh came in to the limelight after his five-wicket haul against Mumbai last season that secured him a place for the Australia tour. This 23-year-old said the tour helped him. “I was definitely expecting a call but unfortunately I didn't get to play the Tests, however I had a fair idea of how the pitches are like," he said.

Singh, who was in the IPL Jaipur team, said: “The IPL was a learning experience. It was like an international platform. So many domestic and international players together was the best part of the tournament.” Ask if Singh is hoping for a call for the one-dayers in Sri Lanka said: “I am concentrating on my game, I can improve myself without bothering about the selection.