Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 26: After scoring magnificent 145 runs in the Duleep Trophy match against East Zone last year, the innings which simply eclipsed the century hit by Unmukt Chand of Delhi and the knock of Jeevanjot Singh of Punjab, one thought that Ian Dev Singh Chauhan, the batting mainstay of Jammu and Kashmir Ranji Trophy team, would be a certain choice to be picked by the National Selectors to represent the State at the higher levels.
Then came the current season, in which Ian scored 618 runs in Ranji Trophy 4-day matches, with a healthy average of 51.50 and a strike rate of 63.19, scoring one century and four big half-centuries. Everybody thought that with superb performance in the Ranji Trophy and that too against the formidable sides in Group-A, Ian may get the selectors nod to be part of the Rest of India Team in the match against the Ranji Trophy Champions, Karnataka in Irani Trophy held recently. But, unfortunately, to the surprise of his well wishers, Ian was not picked in the party.
Despite performing in all formats of the game including Vijay Hazare Trophy and Sayeed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Ian still remains unfortunate for not being considered for the big league.
The stylish, gutsy and gritty cricketer, who has been a prolific run-getter for the State from last so many seasons and the highest century maker from the current ‘lot’ of cricketers, is waiting in the wings to get his due. He simply needs patronage and a better deal.
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