Parvinder Awana – KXIP’s home grown hero!
They say IPL is not cricket and T20 should not be promoted heavily for the sake of prolonging Test cricket. While some may argue the role of franchisee-based tournaments to promote sports including cricket; though, you would agree that it’s a launching pad for many aspirants out there to showcase their talent and in turn earn a national call.
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| Parvinder Awana is the 3rd most successful bowler of all time for Kings XI Punjab. |
We have seen it in the past. The rise of the IPL not only
proved beneficial to Indian cricket in particular, but also did wonders to
other cricketing nations as well. Shaun Marsh, Shane Watson, Kieron Pollard,
Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, Ajinkya Rahane, Mohit Sharma…you just name it and
the list goes on.
Parvinder Awana, however, joins a different list of
achievers. Remember Rahul Sharma (Pune Warriors), Sanju Samson (Rajasthan
Royals), and R Vinay Kumar (Royal Challengers Bangalore). The trio have one
thing similar between them – they have grown up through an IPL franchisee, contributed
to their team’s success, and earned a national cap for self.
After an impressive domestic season with Delhi Ranji team
back in 2011-12, Awana immediately found a spot in the KXIP squad ahead of IPL
season 5. He didn't disappoint and lived up to the expectations; ended his
maiden IPL season as the highest wicket-taker for Punjab: 17 wickets off 12 matches
whereas his team found sixth place in the points-tally with 16 points.
The IPL charm continued to keep Awana in headlines when he
was rewarded a place in the national side for the T20I series against a touring
English side in December 2012. His magic with the ball didn’t work this time.
He remained wicketless, managed to have an economy of 11.83 from 6 overs
throughout the series.
Soon after, he broke the jinx with the ball in IPL 2013.
Kept the opposition batsman tickling, paired with Azhar Mahmood he jointly led
the wickets tally for Punjab with 15 wickets from 14 matches. Again in the IPL
7, he found himself with some wickets though only appeared in fewer matches.
In the recently concluded CLT20 he dismissed the likes of Suresh Raina, Pawan Negi and MS Dhoni in quick succession – during the 2nd semi-final – only to realize after a while that it’s a hat-trick. However, Punjab didn’t win the final against Chennai but Awana, once again, remained the leading striker for the side: 9 wickets from 5 matches.
In the recently concluded CLT20 he dismissed the likes of Suresh Raina, Pawan Negi and MS Dhoni in quick succession – during the 2nd semi-final – only to realize after a while that it’s a hat-trick. However, Punjab didn’t win the final against Chennai but Awana, once again, remained the leading striker for the side: 9 wickets from 5 matches.
Fate or fortune, however you may say, Kings XI Punjab look a
totally different side with him in the playing XI. Though statistically, he is
not as good a bowler citing an economy of 8.26; yet he managed to stay in the
top 3 bowlers who ever played for Punjab.
It’s his wicket taking ability that makes him special. So
what if he didn’t deliver the same at the international level, given the maiden
chance against England back in 2012! As long as there will be wickets in his
kitty, an Indian call is just around the corner.
Here hopes more happy times for Awana and his journey with
KXIP!
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This article also published on Kings XI Punjab's Official Website - kxip.in !
