'Yuvraj rated me the best bowler in domestic cricket'
Rajasthan captain Pankaj Singh, the ongoing season's highest wicket-taker after round seven, reflects on his journey to 400 first-class wickets
Nagraj Gollapudi
24-Nov-2016
Pankaj Singh hasn't given up hopes of an India recall • Getty Images
When Pankaj Singh cleaned up Delhi's Sumit Narwal on Tuesday, he became the fourth Indian fast bowler to reach 400 wickets in first-class cricket. Pankaj is behind Madan Lal, Debasish Mohanty and R Vinay Kumar. Pankaj also became Rajasthan's highest wicket-taker, having surpassed Kailash Gattani, who finished with 396 wickets.
At 31, Pankaj's drive remains as strong as ever. He took time off to chat with ESPNcricinfo on certain important moments in his domestic career.
The most memorable domestic wicket
My 200th wicket, when I got Piyush Chawla against Uttar Pradesh in the 2011-12 Ranji Trophy. I value this wicket because I had to work really hard to get to that milestone. I had to bowl nearly 60-plus overs to get there. In the previous match, against Railways, I went wicketless having bowled 38 overs. Against UP I was frustrated as catches were dropped off my bowling. Eventually when Piyush was nearing the 90s, I got him caught and bowled. But I had to bowl almost 30 overs to break the barren spell.
The toughest domestic batsman
Rohit Sharma. I have played at least four to five matches in domestic cricket against Rohit and have got him a couple of times. He plays all the shots. You don't have the room to just bowl at a certain pace and restrict him. You just have to keep bowling outswing, outswing and then hope to surprise him by pitching an in-cutter. But once he settles he is very difficult to get out and he scores very quickly.
The best spell
In the quarter-finals, against Mumbai, in Jaipur in the 2010-11 Ranji season when we won the title for the first time. Mumbai elected to bat. I got three top-order batsmen in my first spell: Sahil Kukreja, Omkar Gurav and Rohit. We had never even taken first-innings lead against Mumbai, at least in my career till then. Mumbai were firm favourites and had fielded their best eleven which also included Ajit Agarkar, Wasim Jaffer, Jinks (Ajinkya Rahane) and Ramesh Powar. So I took the challenge upon me that we had to win somehow.
The favourite mode of dismissal?
Pitching on middle and hitting the top of the off stump. It does not happen too many times, but I love to do that.
The toughest spell in domestic cricket
Against Maharashtra last year in Pune. I rate this toughest because I did not succeed. We made 250-odd (270) after being asked to bat. I bowled 27 overs on the second day. That was the maximum I had bowled in any Ranji match in a day. We had Maharashtra in trouble at 124 for 6, but [Shrikant] Mundhe and [Chirag] Khurana rescued them. Usually I back myself in such situations to take a wicket. It was the first time I was unable to do anything. Khurana even hit me for a six in the last over of the day. I was exhausted in the end. Maharashtra won with a bonus point.
The best domestic fast bowler in your time
Vinay Kumar. I like the way he bowls aggressively, how he uses all his skills and works out his wickets. I bowl quite similar to him. You can feel his presence at all time. I also like his attitude and he is the best in the present era in domestic cricket.
The most favourite pitch in India
SMS [Sawai Madhopur Stadium, Jaipur] and Mohali
The best compliment you've received in domestic cricket
Recently after I got him out in Duleep Trophy, Yuvraj Singh told me I was the best bowler in domestic cricket.
The one skill needed for a fast bowler to survive in domestic cricket
Accuracy.
The goal you are after now
To play once again for India.
Nagraj Gollapudi is a senior assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo