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CHANDIGARH: On the first day of the recently-concluded Punjab U-23

Inter-District Cricket Championship final

, Chandigarh’s Arpit Pannu

took five wickets with his off-spinners

and

paved way for his team’s eventual win

over Jalandhar at the PCA Stadium.

Pannu’s uncle Bhupinder Singh Jr. – member of the state senior selection committee – was also watching the day’s play along with chairman of the committee, Yashpal Sharma.

Pannu’s standout performance was an answer to people who often question his selection in any grade cricket. Critics repeatedly say that Pannu gets a chance to play for Punjab in age-group cricket or his district because his uncle is in the senior selection committee.

“I know people say that I get opportunities because of my uncle, but it is not true. He is a hard taskmaster and he is the one who motivates me to do well,” Pannu shares with TOI.

The 21-year-old has not only excelled with the ball, but has also achieved with the bat. In the U-23 final, he smashed a brilliant 165 – a knock which didn’t let Jalandhar get back in to the match.

Journey till now

The all-rounder is yet to represent Punjab at the senior level. In the last Ranji season, though, he was in the squad for four matches but didn’t manage to break into the playing XI.

“It was little frustrating to not get any opportunity, but one has to accept that the level of competition is very high in the Punjab team,” Pannu reflects.

“On the positive side, it was a big learning curve for me. Interaction with the senior players was very useful. It only improved me as a cricketer. It boosted my confidence,” he added.

At present, Pannu is not looking far ahead and taking one tournament at a time. “I have represented Punjab in every age-group – U-16, U-19 and U-23. My main aim is to play for Punjab in the upcoming Ranji Trophy season. I would like to cement my position in the Punjab team, thereafter,” the reticent lad said. Pannu believes his all-round performance in the U-23 inter-district competition will help him break into the Punjab Ranji team.

“That performance, hopefully, will be a career-defining one for me,” expressed Pannu. His performance hasn’t gone unnoticed, as he was selected in the Punjab team that’s playing the All-India KSCA Captain K Thimmappiah Memorial Cricket Tournament in Mysore.

Cricketing family

Pannu, who hails from Chandigarh, grew up in a cricketing family. The sport was in his veins, and he is a third generation cricketer from his family. Before him, his grandfather Mohinder Singh, father Gurpreet Singh and uncle Bhupinder Singh Jr., played for Punjab. His twin brother Arjit is a wicket-keeper batsman and he was also in the Chandigarh team, which won the U-23 championship after a gap of four years.

It is quite natural that if someone comes with such pedigree – there will be an obvious pressure to perform and expectations would be huge. “My uncle always tells me to not take shortcuts and that keeps me motivated to achieve my goal. He believes that hard work would definitely pay one day,” said Pannu.

His role

Pannu is not a bits-and-pieces cricketer. He is a genuine all-rounder. “I consider myself as a bowling all-rounder,” he states. The youngster will be competing with other talented youngsters like, Anmolpreet Singh and Karan Kaila for a place in the Punjab Ranji team. Besides, his brother is also a contender.

“Talking about competition, my twin brother Arjit Singh is my biggest challenger. I, however, believe that such competition is always healthy,” quips Pannu, with a smile. We push each other and it has definitely improved our game,” he added.

About the future

The youngster is not looking far ahead. He doesn’t want to rush as of now and his whole concentration is on the tournament in Mysore. “Who doesn’t want to don the national jersey and get an IPL contract? But, right now, my aim is to grab every opportunity that comes my way,” Pannu said.

After a string of match-winning performances with bat and ball at the junior level, Pannu has targeted the forthcoming domestic season and wants to leave his imprint there.

Fun Facts

Favourite actor: Akshay Kumar

Favourite actress: Vidya Balan

Favourite cricketer: MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli

Favourite dish: Butter Chicken

Dream car: Audi


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