As Priyank Panchal draws the curtain on a remarkable domestic career, indian cricket bids farewell to one of its most dependable and unsung heroes. A man who personified perseverance, discipline, and consistency, Panchal’s journey through the grind of indian domestic cricket was nothing short of inspirational. And yet, his name will forever echo with a tinge of what-could-have-been.
For over a decade, Priyank Panchal was the rock at the top of the order for Gujarat. He carried his team through transitions, rebuilt after the parthiv patel era, and remained their most bankable batter. In 2016-17, when gujarat clinched their maiden Ranji Trophy title, it was Panchal who led the charge — amassing over 1,300 runs in the season, including a triple century, and finishing as the highest run-scorer. These weren’t just numbers — they were a statement.
And yet, despite consistently topping charts and leading india A with grace and grit, the elusive india Test cap never came.
The Case for Panchal
In an era where opportunities are often given to young prodigies with eye-catching IPL exploits or social media hype, Panchal remained the craftsman perfecting his trade in silence. He wasn’t flamboyant, nor did he play the brand-heavy cricket the world drools over today. He was classical, gritty, and most importantly, reliable — everything a Test opener should be.
His inclusion in several india A tours, and even as part of the standby squad for the Test team, gave fans hope. In 2021, when he was named as the captain of india A in south africa and then added as a backup opener to the main Test squad, many thought his moment had finally arrived. But it didn’t.
Instead, doors kept closing as newer names — some deserving, some debatable — leapt ahead.
Should the bcci Be Questioned?
It's easy to point fingers at selectors and the bcci, and perhaps not entirely unfair. The revolving door policy for openers in the Test team over the last few years has seen several names given chances based on short-term form or potential, while Panchal — who ticked every box, from temperament to technique to track record — remained on the periphery.
Was it his strike rate? Was it the age factor? Or was it simply the cruel fate of being a domestic stalwart in a system where runs in whites don’t always command attention?
Indian cricket has long suffered from this — a system where domestic giants like Amol Muzumdar, Rajinder Goel, and now Priyank Panchal, never get to live their dream despite doing everything right.
The bcci and selectors owe an explanation, not just to Panchal but to every aspiring cricketer who believes the system will reward merit and patience.
More Than Just a Player
But today is not just a day to question — it's also a day to celebrate.
Celebrate a career that inspired. Celebrate a cricketer who never complained, never made noise, and never gave up. Priyank Panchal retires with over 12,000 first-class runs, a batting average of nearly 46, and a heart that never stopped believing.
He may not have worn the india Test cap, but he earned the respect of every cricket lover who still believes in the purity of the game. His name will always be uttered with the reverence reserved for true domestic greats — the ones who made the Ranji Trophy worth watching.
Farewell, Priyank.
You deserved more. But what you gave us — hope, class, and consistency — will always be cherished.
Happy Retirement, Legend. ❤️
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