In the past one year, Parthiv Patel’s life has none less than be a fairy tale. Out of nowhere, he was called to the Indian team for the last three Test matches against England after an injury to Wriddhiman Saha.
The call-up was a big surprise as, before him, it was Naman Ojha who was called in the team when Saha was injured during India tour of Sri Lanka in 2015. Along with that, youngster Rishab Pant had just scored a triple century in Ranji Trophy, but still, selectors decided to go for the experience.
Patel did well on his return and scored 165 runs in four innings at an average of 65.00 runs in the three Test matches. He followed up with an innings of 143* in the Ranji final to lead Gujarat to their first ever Ranji title, but when the selectors announced squad for Bangladesh Test; his name was missing from the list which was not a surprise as Chief Selector MSK Prasad had earlier said that they would prefer Saha.
It was a tough time for him, but with selectors giving him the charge of India Green for Duleep Trophy, it has again come as a big opportunity for the 32-year-old player. The Indian cricket team is set to tour South Africa next year for three-match series, and he could be one of the backup wicketkeepers on that tour.
Parthiv Patel is still motivated for a place in the Indian team, and he has said that he has the belief to make a comeback,
“I am still motivated and I am working hard (to make India return). Obviously, age is on my side and I have the belief. The biggest thing is the fact that I am enjoying what I am doing. This is what I want to do. And this is what I am doing,” he told The Ahmedabad Mirror.
“Look, I honestly have no complaints. He (Saha) had done really well to deserve the place. It’s been a great 15 years for me (in senior cricket). It’s been a long journey full of challenges. I am happy with the way I handled the challenges. I think it is something that keeps me going,” he added.
At present, he is leading the India Green team in the Duleep Trophy, and his form in upcoming Ranji Trophy will also decide whether he would become that wicketkeeper who get a chance to tour South Africa for the Test series.