Pawan available for Karnataka again

Batsman KB Pawan has made himself available for Karnataka again this season after being ignored by Tripura for an upcoming all-India invitational tournament in Bangalore. Pawan had moved to Tripura before the 2013-14 season after Karnataka preferred other openers ahead of him.

"I requested Brijesh Patel sir (the Karnataka State Cricket Association secretary) and he said it would be okay for me to play here," Pawan told Wisden India. "Everything is still very unclear. I sent a letter to the Tripura Cricket Association and they said they need time to get back to me. I was hurt when I found out that I was left out (for the invitational tournament) but I understand they needed to make space for their local players."

Pawan has played 43 first-class matches for Karnataka, scoring 2622 runs at an average of 38, but in 2012-13, he got only four games for them. He admitted it would be difficult for him to regain his place in a side that won the Ranji Trophy, the Irani Cup and the Vijay Hazare Trophy previous season.

"I am not thinking that far into the future," Pawan said. "My job is to perform. Of course, the Ranji Trophy is the main goal. It is every domestic cricketer's goal, but I know it will be very hard for me to find a spot in the team that won the title last year. The team is settled, so it isn't the right time to think they will (include me in the squad)."

Pawan, who made 374 runs for Tripura in eight games at 24.93, said it was a "very tough" experience playing for the north-eastern state. "Playing as a professional is not an easy thing to do. Pitches in the east are not as easy to play on as pitches in the south. Down here, after an hour or so the wicket eases off. There, the ball would be swinging around throughout the day.

"Staying there alone for two-and-a-half months was one of the toughest things I have had to do in my life. I struggled there. I was out of my comfort zone. I do regret that decision from time to time but it was also one of the greatest experiences in my life. I have learnt how to manage things really well on my own."