Parthiv Patel confident of staging comeback

NEW DELHI: Just about a year ago, Parthiv Patel played for India, in the third Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo. He was dropped when MS Dhoni returned for the home series against England.
Since then, the new selection panel has preferred Dinesh Karthik over Parthiv. But it got worse for Parthiv recently, when the selectors picked Wriddhaman Saha and Naman Ojha ahead of him for the Emerging Players tournament - now on in Australia - for the India A team.
While it left Parthiv disappointed, it led to angry outbursts by Gujarat Cricket Association officials. Amidst all this, the man himself is trying to stay focussed and motivated.
Parthiv made his Test debut against England as a 17-year-old who was yet to play a Ranji match for his state. Some critics questioned his presence at the highest level. Eyebrows were raised whenever he stumbled and was eventually sent back to the grind called domestic cricket.
Seven years on, Parthiv has seen it all, having played more than 100 first-class games, and is a lot wiser too. "I am working on my game at the NCA and I'm not lacking in motivation. If I am not a part of any team right now, it means that I have to work harder on my skills to make a strong comeback," Parthiv told TOI.
"My job as a player is to perform and there is nothing beyond that. Getting selected is not in my hands. I know it's going to be a tough journey for me, but I haven't lost the hope to play for my dream team again," he said.
The wicketkeeper-batsman is hopeful of getting a call from the selectors for the Rest of India team, which is scheduled to play against Ranji Champions Mumbai in the Irani Trophy match in October. "It will be great to get picked for the Irani Trophy. If I don't, I will get back to domestic cricket and play the way I have been doing for years. It takes one or two good seasons to come into the reckoning, so I am not worried about my future in Indian cricket," Parthiv said.
He then insisted: "I am much stronger now and my concentration level has improved a lot. Technique wise, I never had any problem. Probably, I didn't have enough experience to handle pressure. Right now, I'm equipped to face all kinds of challenges."