Published: Sep 20, 2015, 04:27 PM (IST)
Edited: Sep 20, 2015, 05:05 PM (IST)
Uncapped Punjab all-rounder Gurkeerat Singh Mann has been picked in the Indian One-Day International (ODI) squad for the first three matches against South Africa. The selectors have picked this 25-year-old from Muktsar (Punjub) in place of Ravindra Jadeja. This is a reward for young Gurkeerat, who has been performing consistently in domestic circuit. His recent showing for the India A team also strengthened the case for his selection. Sandipan Banerjee writes more about this underrated cricketer.
Gurkeerat Singh, the 25-year-old all-rounder from Punjab, is one of those Indian cricketers whose performances at the domestic circuit generally go unnoticed. Infact, for many people, before his recent heroics for India A and this India selection, his only claim to fame was the catch which he took at fine leg to dismiss Ross Taylor in an Indian Premier League (IPL) match. However, for those who follow the Indian domestic circuit closely, Gurkeerat is a familiar name. This soft spoken all-rounder is an integral part of the Punjab side accross formats. He is also a regular member of the North Zone team. Of late, in First-Class and List A cricket, Gurkeerat has been one of the most consistent performers in the country. READ: MS Dhoni to lead India in limited-overs against South Africa; Gurkeerat included in ODIs
However, in India one of the major unwritten criteria for national selection is a good IPL season. This is more important than consistent domestic showing. Someone like Jadeja or Akshar Palet used this shortcut. Whereas, for Gurkeerat, who is not a regular member of his IPL team Kings XI Punjab (KXIP), it took almost two years to get the attention of national selectors. Last season his First-Class average was 56.41 and in List A cricket he averaged 48.75. Primarily, Gurkeerat is a batman who can bowl off-spin. But from last season, he was working on his bowling too. READ: India vs South Africa 2015: Gurkeerat Singh the only surprise in powerful Indian ODI
The major breakthrough for Gurkeerat was the India A selection for the tri-series against Australia A and South Africa A. Even there he was ignored initially. But under the watchful eyes of Rahul Dravid, he worked hard at the nets. Finally he was selected in the playing eleven against South Africa A in a group league game. He bowling figures were expensive and he didn’t get the opportunity to bat. After this performance, his selection for the final against Australia A was uncertain.
When the final came around, Gurkeerat’s name was there in the playing eleven. That was the luck he was looking for. His career has taken a u-turn from that moment. First, Gurkeerat took 2 for 42 in a crunch game, and then while chasing it was only because of his counter-attacking 87 off 85 balls that India A beat Australia A for the first time in the series and claimed the title. Chasing 227 to win, India A were tottering at 142 for 6 at one stage. It took a special knock from Gurkeerat to get India A home. This game was televised and the talent of this cricketer was finally on show at a big stage, in a big game.
He shone once again, this time against Bangladesh A. It was the first game of the three-match series. He a scored a valuable 65 and later with ball in hand, his off-spin got rid of the last five Bangladeshi batmen. The national selectors were looking for Jadeja’s replacement for a long time and Gurkeerat’s match-winning performances with both bat an ball made their job quite easy. It will be interesting to see how he shapes himself up against the experienced South African side. More importantly, will MS Dhoni decide to give him a chance in the playing XI at all?
(Sandipan Banerjee is a reporter at CricketCountry. Cricket has been the biggest passion for him since his childhood. So, when it came to choosing his career, he chose to turn his passion into his profession. Apart from cricket he likes mountain trekking, river rafting, and photography. His twitter handle is @im_sandipan)
