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Pratham Singh describes himself as a “late bloomer.” The left-handed batter made his Ranji Trophy debut for Railways at 25 in 2017. Now, at 32, he’s finally getting the recognition he deserves with a Duleep Trophy call-up. In his debut match for India-A against India-D at the Rural Development Trust (RDT) Stadium, Pratham scored his first century, hitting 122 runs off 189 balls, including 12 fours and one six.
When asked about how it feels to get a break after years of hard work, Pratham reflected on his journey. “Looking back, it’s been tough. I see so many young players in my India-A team. But everyone has their own journey and pace. I’ve always been a late bloomer. I made my Ranji debut late and I wasn’t a prodigy. I wasn’t exceptionally good during my school days or anything like that.”
Focused and Determined Pratham Singh
Pratham Singh shared that hard work has always been his focus. “I just kept working hard because I enjoy the game. I still believe I can play at the top level. I feel as fit as anyone in the team, and my energy levels are high. If you ignore the fact that I’m 32, I’m at the same level as everyone else,” he said over the phone on Saturday.
When asked if he felt any pressure with the opportunity, Pratham explained: “I was thinking about making the most of it, but more than that, I was just enjoying the platform. I was thankful for the chance and enjoyed every bit of it.”
India-A captain Mayank Agarwal’s inclusive leadership helped Pratham feel confident. Before the match, Pratham was eager to play with Mayank. “He said, ‘You are playing straight up. Be ready. I think you are ready to perform at this level, that’s why you’re here.’ That really boosted my confidence.”
Learning from the Best
Pratham Singh opened the batting with Mayank and he found Mayank’s guidance invaluable. “Batting with him, he often reminded me to trust my instincts and play the ball off the stumps. His tips really helped me improve. His energy on and off the field is amazing.”
Pratham also received a congratulatory call from his first captain, Mahesh Rawat, after scoring his hundred. “It felt special. He backed me from the beginning, and it’s gratifying to see something good come from all these years of hard work,” Pratham added.
As a right-arm off-spinner, Pratham Singh has also been focusing on his bowling. He understands the importance of being versatile in modern cricket. “I’ve been working on my bowling for a while now, especially in the Chennai league. This Ranji Trophy season, I plan to bowl 10-15 overs every innings,” he said.
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