Hurt Awana determined to work harder after India 8216;A8217; snub

Awana's inclusion in the playing XI has been like a breath of fresh air for Kings XI Punjab.

By his own admission,it has been quite a struggle for 25-year-old Parvinder Awana during his five years of first-class cricket and the snub from national selectors for India A8217;s tour of West Indies is just another addition to that list.

8220;Obviously,when you get 57 wickets in the domestic season,you expect a call-up. I was hurt initially but this rejection has made me even more determined to perform even better in the next domestic season. I haven8217;t spoken to anyone after the news of the team selection came out. Just spoke to my folks and informed them that I haven8217;t been selected,8221; said Awana.

The lad from Noida,who has taken 110 first-class wickets from 32 matches,said that struggle is not something new for him.

8220;I have never got anything easily in my life. Even when I have played for Delhi,I have treated each and every match as my last opportunity. I have been conditioned in such a way that I have learnt to take rejections in my stride. You don8217;t stop working hard because you have been rejected.

8220;Everyone has been watching my performance in the IPL. International cricketers like Adam Gilchrist,David Hussey have praised my performance and that in itself is a huge boost,8221; Awana said.

Having got nine wickets from five IPL games,Awana8217;s inclusion in the playing XI has been like a breath of fresh air for Kings XI Punjab.

8220;In one of the matches,I clocked 147 kmph. I have been hitting late 1308217;s and early 140 kmph quite regularly which means my rhythm has been good. Gilly Gilchrist told me the other day,that I am playing because I deserve to be in the side. Even David Hussey has been very supportive and has constantly encouraged me,8221; he said.

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Awana has dismissed the dangerous Chris Gayle in one of the matches but for him,the wicket of Rohit Sharma has been more satisfying.

8220;The wicket of Chris Gayle would have been far more satisfying if we had won the match. I gave 17 runs in that over before dismissing Gayle. Had I given away less than eight runs,we could have won the match. But dismissing Rohit in the match against Mumbai Indians in Mumbai was far more satisfying. My plan worked and I was able to get a dangerous T20 player like him early.8221;