Rajasthan's fast bowler Pankaj Singh on the desperation to represent India

[Brainfade]

How is it that mohit sharma gets an indian cap after debut csk season yet pankaj with all the tools for being a good fast bowler and possibly more, is ignored? Oh.. may have answered my own question. Ridiculous. Think of all the fast bowling talent we have possibly ignored, because of selection bias and poor handling of (potential) pacers from the get-go.

I think it has less to do with a particular team/region. With some exceptions, it seems like a few good IPL performances give these guys instant visibility, and the selectors jump on the bandwagon instead of doing more homework on their real abilties.

[ThePhenomenal1]

Now Dinda is making his voice heard, lol: http://ibnlive.in.com/news/cricketnext/ashok-dinda-feels-overlooked-threatens-to-leave-bengal/442982-78.html Kolkata: Peeved at the state association's 'step-motherly' attitude towards him, Bengal pacer Ashok Dinda on Thursday said he was mulling to switch allegiance if his home state does not support him. Venting his ire, Dinda said, "All of us play with the ultimate aim of representing the country with the back up of our home state. But it's sad when your home state does not vouch for your name even after a good performance." The outburst came after he was ignored by the national selectors, who picked Varun Aaron and uncapped Ishwar Pandey ahead of him for the upcoming tour of New Zealand. "I feel very sad to say I'm not getting any support from my state. If it goes on like this, I've to ultimately think of playing for some other state," Dinda told PTI. Ashok Dinda feels overlooked, threatens to leave Bengal "It's quite frustrating when your performance is overlooked, yet somebody else is picked out of nowhere. I'm not blaming the selectors, but it's my association which did not back me," he said referring to the selection of Aaron who has 20 wickets from six matches. Dinda, with 29 wickets from seven matches this season, was instrumental in Bengal's qualification to the Ranji quarters in a dramatic way as his 10-wicket match haul helped them thrash Uttar Pradesh before their win against Tamil Nadu. Dinda, however, returned wicket-less in Bengal's match against TN. Reacting strongly, CAB joint secretary Sujan Mitra said, "Dinda's identity is Bengal. If he chooses to move away, then it would be a big mistake by him. Everybody knows how much we've done for him." Mitra further claimed that Dinda had gone to Pune Warriors India with a pay cut from what the pacer was getting from Kolkata Knight Riders. Bengal are pitted against the Railways in the Ranji Trophy quarters at Eden Gardens from January 8-12. Tbh, Dinda is not in the same league as aaron. He has some pace but there's never been a match where he hasn't leaked runs. Might be suited for the longer format because he did well on an A-tour last year. I'd rather have him than Ishant tbh but he needs to be worked on.

[G_B_]

Come to Mumbai Punkaj...... Mumbaikars and MCA will welcome you with open arms.....

[jusarrived]

Whats with the hype around this guy ? Ok i havent watched him in 2 years , but I cant imagine hes suddenly transformed into a world beater .

[jusarrived]

Boosted? They seem both seem pretty mediocre to me. But, if I had limited choices and had to choose one, it would be 2nd one - if he had the ability to extract bounce and was even a smidge faster. BTW, player 1 is Vinay Kumar and 2 is Pankaj Singh. Even their List A ODI bowling stats are comparable. It is entirely due to the IPL that Vinay Kumar has gotten name recognition and a chance to get his foot in the door. He has played far more T20 cricket than Pankaj Singh. What a totally bogus way to select players - using IPL performances to pick ODI/test teams. For all my support of the IPL (esp. for giving fringe players a chance at a good living), one would think our selectors would have enough sense not to apply IPL stats to select guys for ODI/tests. Especially now that this selection gig pays them, there should be more accountable.

Why is that IPL sides played Vinay over Pankaj ? IIRC they played for RCB . The IPL sides are anti RCA too ?

[asterix]

Whats with the hype around this guy ? Ok i havent watched him in 2 years ' date=' but I cant imagine hes suddenly transformed into a world beater .[/quote'] He can't be worse than the current "World Beating" bowlers we have...

[Soorma_Bhopali]

He Is The Amol Mazumdar Of This Generation ..period .. :(

[jusarrived]

He can't be worse than the current "World Beating" bowlers we have...

May be , May be not ...from what I have seen , hes another head less chicken . The Pace and bounce he generates is only in the imagination of some of ICFers. The same was said about Manpreet Gony too . The point is , its not charity really . Just cos some XYZ got a chance , dosent mean every other bowler whos of the same standard has to be brought into the India team . Lets give the younger guys a chance than wasting time on another near 30 year old .

[Brainfade]

Why is that IPL sides played Vinay over Pankaj ? IIRC they played for RCB . The IPL sides are anti RCA too ?

Isn't there a local player minimum? So, Vinay Kumar gets more opportunities with RCB than Pankaj Singh? My point was that they both have comparable FC stats. So, if VK got selected, it must have been based entirely on IPL stats - which is a ridiculous way to select players for tests/ODIs. Does that mean that Pankaj would've done any better? Not necessarily. But, at least, he seems a bit faster with the same stats, so if VK could get an opportunity, PS should've gotten one too. But, at this point, I wouldn't take either one unless Pankaj is bowling searing pace this year.

[Muloghonto]

May be , May be not ...from what I have seen , hes another head less chicken . The Pace and bounce he generates is only in the imagination of some of ICFers. The same was said about Manpreet Gony too . The point is , its not charity really . Just cos some XYZ got a chance , dosent mean every other bowler whos of the same standard has to be brought into the India team . Lets give the younger guys a chance than wasting time on another near 30 year old .

I would rather give a chance to a 28 year old fast bowler at the peak of his craft than a 20 year old any day of the week, unless that 20 year old was Waqar Younis. You just said that playing for team India is not a charity. So why should a 20 year old who has proved nothing be given a chance over someone who's proved it at the domestic level for 4 years running ?

[Muloghonto]

Why is that IPL sides played Vinay over Pankaj ? IIRC they played for RCB . The IPL sides are anti RCA too ?

IPL or 20-20 will always favor swing bowlers with decent control over hit-the-deck type bowlers with decent control. You need exceptional control as a hit-the-deck type to not get carted around in limited overs cricket, especially 20/20. When the ball is new, swing bowlers get more 'margin of error' in 20/20 because the extra movement can give some leeway on the accuracy part. Unless you are a McGrath-Pollock-Ambrose type bowler who can hit a 5 paise coin on the pitch 9 times out of 10, there is little or no chance of success for bowlers who bowl with good bounce but no movement.

[vvvslaxman]

IPL played VK because VK is more a bangalorean than Pankaj is :hmmm:

[jusarrived]

Isn't there a local player minimum? So, Vinay Kumar gets more opportunities with RCB than Pankaj Singh? My point was that they both have comparable FC stats. So, if VK got selected, it must have been based entirely on IPL stats - which is a ridiculous way to select players for tests/ODIs. Does that mean that Pankaj would've done any better? Not necessarily. But, at least, he seems a bit faster with the same stats, so if VK could get an opportunity, PS should've gotten one too. But, at this point, I wouldn't take either one unless Pankaj is bowling searing pace this year.

Even Pankaj is a local player , dosent matter which part of the country you are from . Vinay was far more sucessfull than Pankaj in domestic when he was picked in the side . IIRC he was the highest wicket taker or second the season before . So I dont think it was based on IPL alone . Also there is nothing to suggest Pankaj is any quicker than Vinay.

[daryl1985]

Pankaj Singh's plight us sad given the **** that Ishant Sharma has served up in the last 3-4 years. I have not actually seen much of Pankaj but a lot of respectable posters on this forum rate him and his figures over the last 4 season's have been good.

[jusarrived]

IPL played VK because VK is more a bangalorean than Pankaj is :hmmm:

RCB pretty much let go of all its Bangalorean players . Mithun never got a game , while Harshal patel played most of the games . Pankaj did play but was expensive the reason he dint get many games.

[Brainfade]

Even Pankaj is a local player , dosent matter which part of the country you are from . Vinay was far more sucessfull than Pankaj in domestic when he was picked in the side . IIRC he was the highest wicket taker or second the season before . So I dont think it was based on IPL alone . Also there is nothing to suggest Pankaj is any quicker than Vinay.

OK. I thought local meant "LOCAL" as in from the state. Your explanation makes more sense. Thanks. As for your last point, Pankaj has also been the highest wkt taker a few times, IIRC. The only suggestions that PS is faster than VK comes from this board and his cricinfo listing as "medium-fast" as opposed to "medium" for VK. And from watching VK bowl. How could anyone possibly be slower :-)?

[jusarrived]

I would rather give a chance to a 28 year old fast bowler at the peak of his craft than a 20 year old any day of the week, unless that 20 year old was Waqar Younis. You just said that playing for team India is not a charity. So why should a 20 year old who has proved nothing be given a chance over someone who's proved it at the domestic level for 4 years running ?

we are assuming again .

[vvvslaxman]

VK is a talentless hack. he doesn't have one decent stock delivery. Pankaj.. i haven't seen much live. But India has to go through the process until they find one instead of getting stuck with same old guys.

[Muloghonto]

we are assuming again .

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/32973.html Born on May 6, 1985. That makes him 28 years old, almost 29. That is the physical and skill-wise peak of fast bowlers who, barring injury, give their best performances between the age of 27 and 34. Why you'd want a 20 year old kid with 'unproven talent' to represent India over a 28 year old who's a much more developed bowler than 99.9999% 20 year olds, is beyond me. Look at bowlers like Siddle, Harris, Clark, etc. they all got their chances to debut in their late 20s. Unless you are a once-in-a-lifetime bowler like Waqar, Wasim, you have no business playing at the test level in your late teens or early 20s as a fast bowler. Fast bowling is a much harder thing to get good at than batting or spinning the ball and almost all top-level fast bowlers in the last 30 years have made their debuts in the 24-26 years range. McGrath, Ambrose, Steyn, Pollock, Philander, Marshall, etc. all debuted in that age group.

[jusarrived]

OK. I thought local meant "LOCAL" as in from the state. Your explanation makes more sense. Thanks. As for your last point, Pankaj has also been the highest wkt taker a few times, IIRC. The only suggestions that PS is faster than VK comes from this board and his cricinfo listing as "medium-fast" as opposed to "medium" for VK. And from watching VK bowl. How could anyone possibly be slower :-)?

People on this forum go over board with criticizing VK . Yeah , hes not the most skillful , but is he really the slowest bowler we have ? far from it . At his best he was always a mid 130s bowler , like Pankaj , Dhawal , Gony , Pandey , even Ishant these days . None of these guys should be playing for India , its not just about pace either . Only Umesh , Aaron and Shami are considerably quicker than rest and can be categorized as fast.