After years of grinding in domestic cricket, Priyank Panchal has been finally rewarded with a call-up to the Indian Test team as Rohit Sharma was ruled out of the upcoming three-match series against South Africa due to a hamstring injury on Monday (December 13).
Priyank was recently on South Africa tour with the India ‘A’ team and he scored 96, 24, and 0 in two unofficial Tests.
The 31-year-old was added to the Indian Test team as a reserve member for the home series against England earlier this year, but the inclusion to the main squad has certainly left him elated.
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"It was just three days back that I returned home from South Africa. I hadn't even unpacked properly, and now, I find myself landing in Mumbai (to join the Team India bio-bubble)," Panchal told the Times of India.
"I've been doing well since the last few years for Gujarat and India 'A', and I've been waiting for this chance for many years, but I didn't expect to get this chance. This is a pleasant surprise," he added.
Having made his First-Class debut in 2008, the Gujarat batter has been consistently scoring runs in the Ranji Trophy as well as for India A. He has featured in 100 First-Class matches so far, amassing 7011 runs at an average of 45.52, including 24 tons and 25 half-centuries.
After being overlooked for years, Priyank admitted that he did feel a bit low on several occasions in the past.
"It's natural to feel a bit low after not getting a chance while I was scoring so many runs. However, my personality is such that I was always thinking: 'What am I lacking now as a batsman? If I want to play for India, then what should I do to become more impactful? What kind of a game is required in international cricket? I'm glad that all my hard work and persistence have finally paid off," he said.
"The experience of having played in South Africa recently will surely help me. I'm glad I've played for India 'A' for the last four-five years. That's a big stage where I've played most of the international bowlers," he further remarked.
Priyank Panchal also recalled his conversation with current India head coach Rahul Dravid when the latter was associated with India ‘A’ as coach.
"When I became the India 'A' captain for the first time (against Sri Lanka A), I was excited, but Rahul sir told me to 'just be normal, keep doing things like before. You have the ability, which is why you've been given this role.' Those words really helped me," said Panchal.
The three-match Test series between India and South Africa is due to get underway on December 26 in Centurion.
(With TOI inputs)
