Anmolpreet Singh’s meteoric rise continued, as he has been rewarded for his brilliant show in his maiden Ranji Trophy season with a place in the Board President’s XI for the two-day warm-up game against Sri Lanka in Kolkata.
One of the most highly rated youngsters in the country at the moment, Anmolpreet has been the standout performer for Punjab this season. His stunning knock of 267 runs helped the team to register an outright victory against Chhattisgarh and move to the top of Group D after a lukewarm start to the season.
The 19-year-old batsman’s double-century came after he scored a half-century on his debut against Himachal Pradesh before scoring a blistering century in the win over Goa. The right-handed batsman is now the third-highest run-scorer in Ranji this season after G Vihari (573) and Prashant Chopra (502) with 430 runs in only three innings
Expressing his delight over the way the season has panned out so far, he told Hindustan Times:
“It was good to get a half-century on debut. However, I was disappointed to lose the berth in the second game against Vidarbha. I was told to play in the CK Nayudu Trophy against Himachal. I wanted to score a big knock and get back my spot in the senior team for Ranji Trophy.
“I kept focus and scored a double century against Himachal and was happy to be included against Goa. I scored a century, and we won with a bonus point. The job is half done, as I would like to score more big knocks in Ranji Trophy,” he added.
Just like several other youngsters, the teenager also idolises India skipper Virat Kohli and cherishes the moment when he met the cricket star during a BCCI function a few years back.
He further said that he was hoping to get a call from the senior team last year after his impressive performances in the CK Nayudu Trophy where he amassed scored 383 runs.
“I was in good form last season too and was expecting a call to the senior team. It happened this season and with the team also winning, I am in high spirits,” said the youngster who had scored a record-breaking 1,154 runs in the Cooch Behar U-19 tournament three years ago.
Anmolpreet went on to reveal that he has received encouraging words from his senior teammates.
“I have been encouraged by captain Jiwanjot Singh, Bhajji paaji (Harbhajan Singh) and Yuvi paaji (Yuvraj Singh). I need to play well in the next two leagues matches,” said Anmolpreet.
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