Abilish wants to carry good form further

Incidentally,the fast bowler also happened to be the leading wicket-taker for Punjab in the season before joining the ICL,and was subsequently banned for two years by the BCCI.

It has not been an easy ride for Abilish,who hails from a remote village of Doraha near Ludhiana . He was just six months old when Kapil Dev lifted the World Cup’83 Trophy in England and as the country was gripped in the cricket hysteria,his father knew that his son had to play the game. When he was a young kid,his father used to take him and his twin brother Kush to the Sector 16 Stadium in Chandigarh ,where they would see Kapil practice and the cricket bug hit the two brothers.

While Kush ’s interest did not last long,Abilish never looked back once he made it to the Ludhiana U-19 district team.

“I started with serious cricket at a late age and if I had started a bit early,I would have had more experience of playing for Punjab,” said the 27-year-old,who made his Ranji debut for Punjab in 2004. He has taken 57 wickets in 16 Ranji matches so far.

Duleep Trophy selection
After doing well for Punjab this season,Abilish is keeping his fingers crossed for the North Zone selection for Duleep Trophy. He said,“It will not be easy for me to make a cut in the team as there are more talented pacers in line for the selection. But I am hoping for the best. My aim is to deliver the goods in every tournament and match that I play.” The North Zone team for Duleep Trophy quarterfinals will be announced on January 15.

Eyeing IPL contract
With auction for IPL III just around the corner,Abilish too is eyeing an IPL contract. He said,“I am in talks with few franchises for the upcoming IPL season. Hopefully I will also get an IPL contract and be part of the T20 extravaganza. IPL is an amazing opportunity for any cricketer,so I would like to use this opportunity and showcase my cricket

abilities.”