Sangwan hopes for second wind

Within the limited opportunity given for his left-arm seam bowling in the first IPL season,Sangwan claimed five wickets in the seven matches that he played. In the second,the 20-year old scalped 15 wickets in 13 matches — the eighth best wicket-taker overall and second best for his franchise behind Ashish Nehra (19). After a lackluster 2009-10 domestic season — in both the four-day and limited overs — Sangwan is once again aiming at showcasing his talent at the upcoming IPL.

The Ranji Trophy campaign didn’t get off to a flying start against Baroda and soon after the game,Sangwan was picked in the Board President’s XI team for the tour opener against the visiting Sri Lankans in Mumbai,forcing him to miss Delhi’s home game against Karnataka. The warm-up match against Sri Lanka didn’t take place due to a passing cyclone,washing out all three days of cricket at the Brabourne Stadium,while Sangwan’s replacement Pawan Suyal was among the wickets on his Delhi debut.

“A green top was prepared for the Delhi-Karnataka game at the Roshanara Cricket Club. Had I played that game,things could have gone off differently for the rest of the Ranji season,” Sangwan said,speaking to Sportline.

Although the left-arm seamer did feature in Delhi’s remaining games until their campaign ended in the semifinals against Mumbai,he managed to claim a total of 20 wickets in seven matches,with the high point being a five-for (5/107) against Maharashtra at the Roshanara.

“The Ranji season has been decent one. I could have done more,but didn’t strike a rhythm as I kept moving in and out of the team for several reasons,” Sangwan added.

Injured out
Once the four-day formar culminated,Sangwan’s domestic one-day campaign began with a two-wicket haul against Jammu and Kashmir in the Vijay Hazare Trophy,but an injury in the second match against Punjab put him out of action for almost a month.

“I fell while I was bowling against Punjab and ended up injuring the area behind my right knee. The fall made sure that I didn’t play any more 50-over matches. But after a tight training schedule and physiotherapy I cannot wait to get bowling again,” he said.

With the IPL just around the corner,Sangwan is hoping that he can once again use the platform to gain leverage. “I am eager to make my mark once more. The season is not over as there is still a lot of cricket to be played ahead. I am looking forward to returning to the big stage and hope that I can go one better on my showing from the previous seasons.”