Published: Nov 06, 2018, 09:30 AM (IST)
Edited: Nov 06, 2018, 09:30 AM (IST)
In Indian cricket, consistency matters. The only way a player can knock on the doors of the selectors is by either scoring runs, claiming wickets or both.
Vidarbha captain Faiz Fazal has certainly ticked the first box. In 103 first-class matches, the southpaw has scored a staggering 7197 runs at an average of 41.84. In fact, Fazal was last Ranji Trophy season’s second highest run-scorer after Mayank Agarwal, with 912 runs in nine matches at an average of 70.15. His tally included four centuries and a career-best 206 against Himachal Pradesh in Nagpur.
However, even after maintaining a consistent run of form, that India cap which he earned only once, an ODI against Zimbabwe in 2016, when his unbeaten 55* guided the visitors to a thumping 10-wicket win, has eluded him since then.
“The disappointment is there if you don’t go forward. I’ve been performing a lot and I’m really looking forward to play for India again. I was expecting a Test call-up, but unfortunately, it did not go my way. I thought I would get a call-up for the West Indies series and even the England series this year,” Fazal, who scored a fine 131 in the second innings for Vidarbha in their Ranji Trophy 2018-19 opener against Maharashtra in Pune recently, told CricketCountry on Monday.
“No doubt, Prithvi Shaw and Mayank are performing well. I thought I was also doing well. I got five centuries last season.”
At 33, Fazal has no qualms that time or age is never an issue for selection. “I am fit as a youngster. If Ambati Rayudu at 33 or 34 can make a comeback and so with Murali Vijay, who is back again for the Australia series, age is never an issue. If you’re fit, it’s not a problem,” he said.
Asked about whether he will be able to clear the Indian team management’s pet project, pat comes the answer. “That yo-yo test, I will excel in it,” he said.
