Mandeep in India U-19 squad

Deepankar Sharda

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 16

The wait for budding Punjab speedster Mandeep Singh seems to have finally ended as the 18-year-old Chandigarh Cricket Academy (CCA) protégé was on Monday drafted into India U-19 squad for the upcoming Asia Cup. 

“I was waiting for this opportunity for the past two years. I have worked hard for this moment,” said an elated Mandeep, who spent nearly five years (2009 to 2014) at the Chandigarh Cricket Academy. 

The U-19 Asia Cup is scheduled to be held in Malaysia from November 9 to 20.

“My stay at the Chandigarh Cricket Academy, and thereafter at Punjab, helped me gain vital experience. Playing along side seniors and getting tips from them helped me gain confidence. 

“The time spent at the National Cricket Academy helped me improve my bowling and also made me capable of handling tough situations,” said Mandeep. 

A student of Sri Guru Gobind Singh College, Sector 26, Mandeep represents Chandigarh in the inter-district and other championships. 

“My performance in the recently-concluded inter-district championship helped me grab the attention of selectors,” said Mandeep.

“It’s great to learn that he has been selected for the India U-19 team. There is a lot more to come for him,” said a confident Wazir Singh, Mandeep’s father. 

Wazir Singh, who is a constable in the Chandigarh Police, said his son was following his dream and it was just a step towards the goal.

Mandeep’s former coaches Sanjeev Pathania and Harish Kumar, meanwhile, congratulated their ward for his selection into the India U-19 squad and said the he had been rewarded for his consistency.

“He is a good bowler and has improved a lot in the past three years. Besides performing well in the inter-district championships, he also did well while playing in some of the U-23 matches,” said Pathania. 

He further said the stay at Zonal Cricket Academy and later at the National Cricket Academy helped Mandeep gain in stature. “Overall, his hard work has paid off,” Pathania concluded.