Fazal, Mandeep bask in India call-ups

India's selectors have continued with their policy of rewarding top domestic performers, selecting five debutants for the upcoming Zimbabwe tour.
The new squad members included by Sandeep Patil's committee are: KL Rahul, Karun Nair, Jayant Yadav, Mandeep Singh and Faiz Fazal.
The latter two spoke to Wisden India about their inclusion in MS Dhoni’s limited-overs squad.
“Kedhar Jadhav came to my room and said in the typical Punjabi slang ‘badhaaiyaan!’" Singh said about hearing the good news. “That is when I got to know I was selected. It is the biggest moment of my life.”
The right-handed batsman comes off a spectacular Vijay Hazare Trophy campaign for Punjab at the end of 2015, ending the tournament as top scorer with 394 runs at an average of 65.66.
30-year old Faiz Fazal is the oldest of the squad debutants. The Vidarbha batsman is currently playing league cricket in England and expressed his relief at finally receiving the news he’d been hoping for for a long time.
“I have expected calls before but it ended in disappointment,” he said. “I didn’t want to be disappointed anymore.
“I realised performing is better than expecting and thought if it is going to happen, it will happen surely,” the opening batsman continued.
“I started crying after I heard the news because to play for India has been my ultimate aim.
“Making my country proud and playing under MS is a huge opportunity for me. I believe the harder you work, the more it will pay off,” he added.
The limited-overs component of the tour starts on 11 June and consists of three ODIs and two T20 internationals.
Latest
-
News
Sri Lanka v England Day 2: Joe Root excels alongside Dan Lawrence
The England captain and his new team-mate added 173 to build England’s advantage.
-
News
Nine rookies in Pakistan squad for South Africa series
Pakistan have included nine uncapped players in their 20-man squad for the two-Tests against South Africa, starting on January 26.
-
News
Labuschagne upset after not scoring ‘big’ hundred
Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne might have been the star of the show on the first day of the fourth Test against India.
-
News
Joe Root backs up plea for strong England start with century against Sri Lanka
The skipper had urged his team to impress from the word go and led by example with 168 not out in Galle.
-
News
Joe Root century strengthens England’s grip on first Test against Sri Lanka
Dan Lawrence hits 73 on debut as England reach 320 for four at tea, a lead of 185.
-
News
England captain Joe Root celebrates a century against Sri Lanka
Root brought up his 18th Test ton after being stranded on 99 at lunch in Galle.
-
News
Joe Root 99 not out at lunch as England look to build big advantage
Root and Test debutant Dan Lawrence have steered the tourists to a lead of 71 with seven wickets intact.
-
News
Heather Knight excited by freedom on offer after New Zealand quarantine
England Women will be able to break out of the coronavirus ‘bubble’ lifestyle in a country which has effectively contained the disease.
-
News
Sri Lanka v England day one: Tourists carve out dominant performance in Galle
The tourists skittled Sri Lanka for 135 then replied with 127 for two.
-
News
Stuart Broad and England in ‘dream world’ after superb first day in Sri Lanka
Broad took three wickets and Dom Bess five before Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow took England within eight runs of their hosts’ total.