MS Dhoni told me there is nothing called 'lucky' or 'unlucky' after my Test debut: Pankaj Singh

Pankaj Singh

Indian medium pace bowler Pankaj Singh who bowled his heart out on his Test debut, against England at Southampton this July, only to end up with the world record for the most expensive bowling figures by a debutant – 0-179 – has said that, while fans and experts tagged him as “unlucky”, his captain MS Dhoni was happy with his “honest effort”.

The 29-year-old Rajasthan bowler, a part of Central Zone’s Duleep Trophy squad playing the finals against South Zone, told PTI: “After I didn’t get a wicket on my debut, people sympathized with me and earned the tag of “Unlucky Pankaj” but MS told me that there is nothing called “lucky” or “unlucky”. It matters how honest your effort was and I have no complaints regarding that.”

Expects to make it to the Test series Down Under

He was dropped for the fifth and final Test of the series that India lost 1-3, following his below-par show in his second Test (28-5-113-2). However, the Rajasthan pace bowler is hopeful of making it to the Australian Test series starting this December. He said: ““Obviously, there was a bit of disappointment but I had given my hundred percent. The figures obviously didn’t reveal the true picture of my bowling.”

“It wasn’t exactly satisfying as I got wickets at the end of the innings. Also it wasn’t classical fast bowler’s wickets. I am hopeful that I will be considered for selection during Australian tour.”

The right-arm seamer also expressed his disappointment at being considered as not suitable for the shorter formats of the game. He said: “Look, I can’t change perceptions of people who think I can’t bowl with white ball. In my hand, there’s only one thing and that is to perform. I will try to perform wherever I get a chance.”