Lady luck shines for Delhi pacer Awana

New Delhi – Lady luck finally shone on Parwinder Awana, who played for Kings XI Punjab, as the Delhi fast bowler Saturday was selected in the India A squad for the West Indies tour as a replacement for injured Mumbai Indians left-arm pacer Rudra Pratap Singh.

Awana was dejected after he was ignored when the squad was announced despite being the third highest Indian wicket-taker in the Indian Premier League (IPL) with 17 wickets. Only Umesh Yadav and Vinay Kumar were ahead of him among the best Indian bowlers with 19 wickets each.

Awana, however, came into the squad after Rudra Pratap Singh was ruled out with a knee injury.

“He (Rudra Pratap) has been advised a week’s rest, after which he will be reporting to the NCA (National Cricket Academy) for further injury management. The All-India Selection Committee has picked Parvinder Awana as his replacement in the India A squad for the West Indies,” a cricket board release said.

An elated Awana said that despite being rejected early he never stopped believing in himself. Awana was in a good form last season bagging 57 wickets.

“I am used to rejections. But I have never stopped believing in my abilities,” said Awana, who has 110 first-class wickets from 32 matches in his career.

India A will play three four-day matches, three one-day matches and two Twenty20s on the tour, which begins in Barbados June 2.