Gujarat Ranji hero Priyank Panchal to play a local league, TNPL

Gujarat batsman Priyank Panchal, who topped the batting chart in the last Ranji Trophy season, will be featuring in the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) first division league in the upcoming season. The 27-year-old right-handed batsman amassed an amazing 1310 runs at an average of 87.33 with five centuries and four fifties and will be playing for the newly promoted team Nelson SC in Tamil Nadu’s top league.

While he wasn’t able to make much of an impact in the final of the Ranji Trophy last year, there is no doubt that Gujarat depended on him throughout to make it to the summit clash against Mumbai. Although he scored a century against Railways, it was his triple century against Punjab that announced him as a man to keep an eye on. It was also the first time when a Gujarat player crossed the 300-run mark.

“I will be playing for Nelson SC. The preparations before the first-class season is always vital. There are numerous players from different states who play in the league. Playing in such a highly competitive tournament will be a great experience for me heading into the domestic season,“ Panchal told TOI on Wednesday.

Wants to prove himself in T20s too 

It will also mean that the batsman will be eligible to play in the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) and he wants to register himself for the auction in a few days. Panchal wants to prove himself in the T20 format as well.

“I will be signing up for the draft possibly in a day or two. I would like to showcase my skills in the T20 format and the TNPL would be an ideal platform. It would be a great experience if I get to play in it,“ he added.

Panchal was also a part of the India A squad that took on Australia in a practice match earlier this year.