Goal was to convert centuries into big knocks: Priyank Panchal

Gujarat opener Priyank Panchal has grabbed all the headlines in recent times with his performances in the Ranji Trophy this past season. With Gujarat winning their first ever title, it would seem clear that he is certainly a prospect for the Indian cricket team at the moment.

Speaking exclusively to News 18, Panchal went on to state that it was indeed an amazing feeling to be contributing to the side in a big way that he did. He also went on to add that they had been doing well in the shorter format, but the heart of the matter was that the goal was always to win the Ranji Trophy.

“It is an amazing feeling to win the Ranji Trophy for the first time. What is special for me is that I could contribute in a big way to the team’s cause. Being the highest run-getter this season wouldn’t have made any difference if we wouldn’t have won the title, so it is extremely satisfying.”

“We have been doing well in the shorter format but were failing to make the knockouts narrowly for the past few seasons. So the target this year was simple, confirm qualification in seven rounds and don’t depend on the last match. It was a combined goal and we managed to achieve it,” the right-handed batsman said during a telephonic conversation.

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“I had a simple goal this season and that was to convert my centuries into big knocks. I got runs last season as well, but this year it was about not being satisfied with a 120 or 130, I wanted to score double and triple tons, which I managed to achieve.”

Panchal also went on to add a few words on his late father and how the latter wanted him to play cricket from an early age. He also went on to add how his mother had been supporting him since the young age and since his father had passed away.

“My father put me into cricket coaching from the age of 10 years. He too wanted to play cricket professionally but couldn’t do that, so it was his dream that I become a cricketer.”

“I lost my father at the age of 15 years and since then my mother has supported me. I draw a lot of inspiration from my mother because she is a very strong woman and she never gave up on the dream of me becoming a cricketer,” the Gujarat opener said.

Panchal went on to conclude that he had read Rahul Dravid’s biographies from an early age and that he did not want to sit on his laurels. He also went on to add that he was looking for much more than the 1300 odd runs he had whilst looking forward to the Irani Trophy. “I idolize Rahul Dravid as a batsman. I have read his biographies and try to read his articles and try to emulate him in match situations.”

“I will not sit on my laurels, the 1300 runs that I scored this season is in the past and I am now looking forward to the upcoming tournaments which include the Irani Trophy.”