The left-handed wicket-keeper batsman Dishant Yagnik, who represented widely-acclaimed Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Rajasthan Royals for four years between 2011 and 2014, has given a second thought to his first-class retirement plan until the culmination of the ongoing edition of Ranji Trophy 2017-18.
The selectors included Sanjay Vyas and Vinod had a meeting with Yagnik over his decision and requested the player to continue during the ongoing season.
“I have known all of them (the selectors and Pankaj), so when they requested me to hold it till the season end, it is difficult for me to not listen to them,” Yagnik was quoted as saying by Sportstar.
According to the Sportstar publication, Rajasthan skipper Pankaj Singh also revealed about his request to his teammate Yagnik while sharing a great bond with good-old friends.
“I respect his decision, but it would be good if he continues till the end of the season,” Pankaj said.
On October 15, Yagnik decided to call it a day after reaching the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, as Pankaj further added the decision would be solely from the former.
“Being an old friend, I have told him that, the rest is up to him,” Pankaj added.
Interestingly, earlier the decision came when the hosts were participating in the second round of the premium first-class competition.
Soon after the selectors intervened and requested Yagnik to defer the decision due to the non-availability of a backup wicket-keeper batsman.
However, Yagnik took a day to review his proposed decision.
Rajasthan which is the part of a Group B and is scheduled to avail the services of Yagnik in their crucial encounter against Kerala in the third round.
“Our next match is in Kerala, and the team will be in trouble if I am not there,” Yagnik remarked.
Yagnik went on to state that he is not sure about the remainder of the fixtures, but eventually, don’t want to see his team in any trouble after their Ranji opener was drawn fixture against Parvez Rasool-led Jammu and Kashmir.
“I have decided to play that match. Let’s see what happens after that,” Yagnik asserted.
In 2004, since making his first-class debut to take the field against Services, the 34-year-old Yagnik went on to feature in long-established 14 seasons for his state-side Rajasthan.
Pertinently, throughout the years, Yagnik played a significant role for Rajasthan following the occasional blips during his career, as his average does not seem to impress many in the domestic fold.
Yagnik, who’s known as ‘Gilly’ referred as former Australian wicket-keeper batsman Adam Gilchrist among his friends further decided to continue his duty behind the stumps, as he is concurrently featuring in a game against Jharkhand at Jaipur.
Earlier, the gloveman decided to call it quits after Jharkhand game which further became the cause of concern for Rajasthan State Cricket Association’s (RSCA) selection committee.
The Banswara-born Yagnik played 46 four-day matches and scored 1,627 at an average of 25.42. He smashed a solitary hundred and eight fifties.
On the other side, he featured in 41 List-A matches in which he registered two hundreds and four half-centuries which further saw his average of 25.54 with 945 runs to his name.
In 56 Twenty20, Yagnik has three fifties under his belt as he amassed 662 runs at an unhealthy average of 18.91.