Little-known Nathu Singh in Board President XI's team

JAIPUR: It was completely unexpected for young Nathu Singh. The Rajasthan pacer, currently playing his first Ranji Trophy season, could not believe his ears when teammates informed him about his selection to the Board President's XI team, which will take on South Africa in a two-day practice match at Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai before the Test series.
"I thought they were joking," Nathu told TOI on Monday evening."My teammates told me about my selection soon after we landed in Jaipur (on return from Kolkata, where they faced Bengal in a Ranji match)."
Finally, when Dishant Yagnik showed his name on the BCCI website, did the happiness start sinking in. "I was bowling well, but did not expect a break so soon," he said. Nathu was noticed at a bowlers' camp at the NCA before he made his Ranji debut. He went on to get seven wickets in the second innings against Delhi in that game here.
However, he could not repeat that on the next two games. "That was because the wickets in Guwahati and Kolkata were not helping pacers," he explained. Nathu is aware that the real test starts now. "Now, I have to perform," he said. "Getting selected for Board President's XI is not enough. I have to perform to prove myself."
Nathu hails from Fatehpur in Sikar and hones his skill in Jaipur. He has been consistently bowling at over 140 kmph. Nathu cherishes the compliment he has received from MRF Pace Foundation's chief coach and Australian legend Glenn McGrath. "McGrath sir after watching me at the nets told local coaches that I have a good incoming delivery and he was impressed with my pace. He has said I am India's future."
Explaining why he picked him up, chairman of selectors Sandeep Patil said, "We are always looking at something special. Selectors' job is not only to go by the scoresheets otherwise the statisticians would have done a better job."