Still have chance to return to national team: Pankaj Singh

Jaipur: Despite an air of uncertainty hanging over participation of Rajasthan cricketers in the upcoming domestic season, skipper Pankaj Singh is confident of a good showing and stage a comeback to the Indian team.
Talking to PTI after receiving the prestigious Mathura Das Mathur cricket award in the senior category for his performance in the previous season, Pankaj, who has also represented India in Tests, said that he was sure that something would be worked out by the BCCI, RCA and the courts to ensure participation of Rajasthan players.

“I am fully confident of a good showing. I feel I still have a chance to make a comeback to national team. I am fit and raring to go once again,” he said.

“I am happy that BCCI has done something for us by nominating an ad-hoc body in the RCA which has been in a deadlock after warring factions refused to budge. I am sure the courts would, like in the previous season, would find some arrangement to ensure our participation,” said Pankaj.

BCCI has made an ad?hoc body for RCA which is facing suspension since Lalit Modi was elected president, but the move has stirred controversy because Rajasthan is governed by Sports Act which specifies that the sole right to form an ad- hoc body rests with the Registrar of Cooperative societies.

The BCCI move is likely to be challenged by the Modi faction.

“Yes I know time is running out and we would be having only few days to try and gel together and work out the positions in the team which has some voids because of players like Robin Bisht who preferred to move to other state. We have some promising youngsters who might get a chance to prove their mettle,” said Pankaj who has been among the top wicket takers in domestic season for the past five years.

“I know we have some good teams in our pool but this is what you expect in the elite group. The uncertainty and the tough conditions have made us more determined and we are taking it as a new challenge. The boys have been working at their own level but are eager to lock horns with the best.