Who is Priyank Panchal? Here are 10 facts about Rohit Sharma’s replacement for South Africa Tests

Team India dealt with a major blow ahead of the upcoming tour of South Africa as Rohit Sharma got ruled of the three-match Test series. The veteran opener, who has been in fine form this year, had replaced Ajinkya Rahane as Test vice-captain for this tour. Hence, his injury couldn’t have come at a worse time. Meanwhile, uncapped batter Priyank Panchal has been picked as his replacement.

Panchal is a right-handed batter, who plays at the opening position. He has a plethora of experience behind his back and he won’t mind shining in national colours as well. As the likes of KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal are still in the ranks, Panchal isn’t likely to get a chance in the series. However, if either of the two Karnataka batters sustains injuries, Panchal might have to tackle the Proteas bowlers.

Here are some of the facts about Priyank Panchal 

1. Birth place

Priyank Panchal was born on April 9, 1990 in Ahmedabad. He’s 31 years of age as of now.

2. Playing style 

As mentioned above, Panchal is a right-handed batter, who plays at the top. He has a solid defense that allows him to tackle the new ball with precision.

3. Handy medium pacer

While Panchal is primarily a batter, he can chip in with his medium-pace bowling as well. He has 14 wickets in First-Class cricket so far.

4. First-Class debut

The right-handed batter made his First-Class debut for Gujarat against Saurashtra in 2008. He has been leading his side after Parthiv Patel retired last year.

5. Break-through season

Panchal was on a roll in the 2016-17 Ranji Trophy season. It was the year when the batter slammed 1310 runs, and ended as the leading run-getter in the tournament.

6. Highest Score

The opener’s highest First-Class score was also recorded in the 2016-17 season. He slammed a staggering 314 against Punjab in a drawn affair.

7. Career Numbers

Having played 100 First-Class matches so far, the right-handed batter has scored 7011 runs at an average of 45.52. He has also 24 hundreds with 25 fifties in First-Class cricket.

8. Led India A in recent series

For the unversed, Panchal led India A in the recently-concluded unofficial Test series against South Africa where he had a top score of 96.

9. Has been in Indian dressing room before

This is also not Panchal’s maiden call-up in the national team. Earlier this year, he was picked in India’s squad for the Test series against England. He, however, didn’t get to make his debut.

10. Unexpected call-up

In an interaction with the Times of India, Panchal revealed he didn’t expect this call-up. “I’ve been doing well since the last few years for Gujarat and India ‘A’, and I’ve been waiting for this chance for many years, but I didn’t expect to get this chance. This is a pleasant surprise,” stated the batter.