Joginder gets his big chance

Less than a year back,Joginder Singh was an unknown entity even in the domestic circuit. The 29-year-olds only claim-to-fame was making it to the Delhi one-day squad for the Vijay Hazare Trophy in 2006,where he warmed the bench and served the players drinks and towels.

Less than a year back,Joginder Singh was an unknown entity even in the domestic circuit. The 29-year-olds only claim-to-fame was making it to the Delhi one-day squad for the Vijay Hazare Trophy in 2006,where he warmed the bench and served the players drinks and towels.

Plucked out of virtual obscurity for the same tournament at the start of the month after doing the rounds for four years in the club circuit,Joginder made his mark with both willow and leather in the four games that he played. A few days after Delhi were dumped out of the first round,Joginder was scouted by Delhi Daredevils for the third edition of the Indian Premier League,starting March 12.

Fortunes have turned on its head for Joginder in the space of a few weeks,and the Delhi cricketer is hoping to make the most of his new found importance. I cannot believe how quickly things have turned in my direction. Delhi Daredevils has always been my favourite IPL team and I am thrilled to be part of their set-up. They play aggressive cricket and I will have a lot to learn from the likes of Sehwag,Gambhir and Ashish Nehra, Joginder said,speaking to Sportline.

With consistent performances for BSNL at the club level,Joginder claims that despite spending four years without a senior team call-up,he knew it was just around the corner. My performances at the club level speak for itself. I was consistent with the ball and scored a few hundreds. I guess I could not be ignored anymore, he added.

On debut for Delhi,Joginder went wicketless against Jammu and Kashmir,but remained unbeaten on 14 to guide his side to victory. In the third game against Himachal,the all-rounder proved his worth by top scoring for his side with an unbeaten 52 and returning to claim one out of the three Himachal wickets to fall. I enjoyed my stint with the Delhi side. It is a matter of great pride and it would be great if more such opportunities come my way, Joginder said.

Although he does not have age on his side,the 29-year-old believes that as long as he continues to think young,it does not matter how old he is. Things like age is not in my hands. I do not repent that the opportunities are coming late in life,but I am grateful that they are coming in my direction at all. My job is to play cricket and I leave the rest to others.

Things may be going Joginders way,but one dream still remains unfulfilled playing for Delhi in the Ranji Trophy. If I get a chance to play in the IPL and perform well,who knows,playing for Delhi in the Ranji Trophy may well be on the cards.

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Joginder gets his big chance

Less than a year back,Joginder Singh was an unknown entity even in the domestic circuit. The 29-year-olds only claim-to-fame was making it to the Delhi one-day squad for the Vijay Hazare Trophy in 2006,where he warmed the bench and served the players drinks and towels.

Less than a year back,Joginder Singh was an unknown entity even in the domestic circuit. The 29-year-olds only claim-to-fame was making it to the Delhi one-day squad for the Vijay Hazare Trophy in 2006,where he warmed the bench and served the players drinks and towels.