Ishwar Pandey – A timely strike

Ishwar Pandey

Many of the fans felt really happy for the young Ishwar Pandey, when he was included in Team India just before the new year 2014 began. What makes his selection more significant is that he had been included in both the teams, that is for ODI and Test.

Whatever might be the outcome, this definitely proves that the administrators have imposed full faith in this tall fast bowler from Madhya Pradesh. This talented and hardworking player has got 131 wickets in 31 first class matches at the average of 24.43. He took 48 wickets at the average of 21.06 in the Ranji Trophy during the season 2012-13 and became the highest wicket taker.

These achievements entailed him a berth in the India A team for the tour of South Africa, where he took 11 wickets in two first class matches. Also, he took 5 wickets in list A matches.

Even during the current Ranji Trophy season, his performances have been rated as very good. He stood second in the list of best bowling figures of Ranji Trophy (next only to RL Mali of Railways). While playing against Railways on 27th October 2013 at Indore, he took 8 wickets and gave 84 runs at the economy rate of 3.

Overall, Ishwar Pandey has taken 30 wickets this season and his economy rate in Ranji has remained fair enough at 2.88. Perhaps all these achievements seen collectively formed a strong basis for his inclusion in the national team.

It has also proved to be a very good opportunity for him to get an exposure of the bouncy tracks of New Zealand in his very first selection in the team India. And in the very first chance he got today, while playing in a two day practice match, he has already proved his worth by taking 3 important wickets and giving away just 42 runs. His bowling figures read as 14-2-42-3. He has the second best economy rate in today’s match after Zaheer Khan, whose economy rate was 2.33.

Ishwar Pandey has definitely shown his spark, and given the not so impressive performances of all other Indian bowlers in the on-going tour so far, he deserves a chance in the coming Test matches. Hopefully he will be able to make a mark as most of the regular batsmen of New Zealand have not seen his bowling before.

The best thing which impressed me is that he is keen to improve on his speed and swing. Accuracy is the key word for Ishwar Pandey. Pandey is a keen learner and with the presence of senior Zaheer Khan, this tour might become a chance of a lifetime for him. Best wishes for the seemingly bright future!