Ranji to T20, Awana stays first class

Thanks to the IPL, the duration of basking in domestic glory has been curtailed. Once the league starts, it isn't always a cakewalk for the top performers in Indian first class and List A cricket.

Thanks to the IPL, the duration of basking in domestic glory has been curtailed. Once the league starts, it isn't always a cakewalk for the top performers in Indian first class and List A cricket. The younger bowlers bear the brunt — if the batsmen coming hard at them aren't enough, there's the added pressure of playing in front of crowds. They often fail to live up to their promise.

Kings-XI-Punjab-bowler-Parvinder-Awana-C-watches-as-Pune-Warriors-batsman-Jesse-Ryder-L-and-Saurav-Gangulay-run-between-the-wickets-during-the-IPL-Twenty20-cricket-match-between-Kings-XI-Punjab-and-Pune-Warriors-at-PCA-Stadium-in-Mohali-AFP-Photo-Prakash-Singh

There are exceptions though, like Parvinder Awana. The pacer took 57 wickets in the 2011/12 season for Delhi and North Zone, second only to Ashok Dinda's 67 for Bengal and East. And, representing Kings XI Punjab, Awana has carried that form into IPL V. It might seem like a big deal, but the 25-year-old shrugs it off: "Cricket essentially is a game of basics, be it four-day, one-day or T20."

With Punjab lacking pace options, the 25-year-old Delhi bowler has got opportunities and made the most of them. Working with India's national bowling coach Joe Dawes has been beneficial. "It's essential to have a coach and a captain who back you. Joe helps me plan according to each batsman," says Awana. "He's working with me on my run-up, which will help me add pace to the variations that I already have."

Best performances
v PWI (Mohali): 4-0-18-0
v RCB (Mohali): 4-0-34-4
v MI (Mumbai): 4-0-23-2