Joginder Singh is the quintessential journeyman, one who has spent so much time in the wilderness that the routine seemed like a bonus for him.
Joginder Singh is the quintessential journeyman, one who has spent so much time in the wilderness that the routine seemed like a bonus for him. Three years ago he made it to the Delhi one-day squad but didn’t get to be part of the action. He has never looked at playing for another side and offers have been few, and over the past few years non-existent.
At 29, with no first class experience under his belt and not having played an official match till this week, Joginder knew he wouldn’t even be part of a footnote when a review of the season was done every year. He wasn’t part of the Indian Premier League buzz and his Man of the Series awards won at club tournaments was his badge of honour. The realisation that he has missed the bus with regard to his cricket career dawned on him a couple of years ago but he hasn’t lost hope.
The Corporate Trophy, which included some of India’s finest players came as a shot in the arm for the BSNL captain. On Tuesday, he struck in his very first ball in an official game, removing Air India (Red) opener Naman Ojha with a hint of swing.
Earlier he hit 27 off just 24 balls, including three sixes to help his team post an impressive 258. Next day he bowled seven overs, gave away just 14 runs and trapped India Cements opener Abhinav Mukund leg before. And in chase of 256 he scored 34 off 30 balls including three sixes.
“I believed we could have won that game against India Cements. I have never been afraid to play my shots. The occasion didn’t get to me. I was cool and composed but unfortunately couldn’t take my team to a win.” Joginder told DNA.
Confidence has always been Joginder’s strength. He knows he isn’t young anymore and people have stopped suffixing ‘promising’ before talking about him. “I felt I was good enough to play for Delhi. It wasn’t to be. I am not bitter about it. Hopefully, my performance in the Corporate Trophy will make people sit up and take notice once again,” Joginder said.
The skipper was under no illusions about his team’s strength. “I told the boys that we will be playing against India players who are using this tournament as a platform to prepare for the tri-series. I didn’t want the likes of Rahul Dravid, Yuvraj Singh or Suresh Raina to think that they were wasting their time or not benefiting by playing against my team.”
Joginder is thankful that he landed a job with BSNL. “It has helped me stay in touch with cricket, my first love. Working for a company that doesn’t play cricket would have meant that my cricket career would have been finished.”
Joginder’s father worked as a head fitter with the Delhi Transport Corporation. His elder brother dabbled with the game but gave it up to take up a posting with the Delhi Police. He is the first member of his joint family to take up the sport at a professional level.
“When I started off it wasn’t easy. I had to borrow bats and play wearing a shirt. When I showed promise my coaches encouraged me and gave me equipment. I don’t know if I have fulfilled my potential or not. But I haven’t stopped dreaming of playing for India. You never know when things turnaround.”
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