Parvinder Singh

In the first nine years of his first-class career, Parvinder Singh played only eight Ranji Trophy matches for Uttar Pradesh. When he finally got a full season, in 2008-09, one wondered where on earth he was. Especially because UP had been struggling for a steady middle-order player other than Mohammad Kaif and Suresh Raina (who spends most of the time away with India). Parvinder brought that calming influence to the middle order, although he is not one who would set the world alight with his batting. Even so his 465 runs in the season were instrumental in UP's progress to the final. He scored his maiden first-class century in the semi-final, after UP were 63 for 3 responding to Tamil Nadu's 445. He was rewarded with a place in the Central Zone team for Duleep Trophy in the same season.

Cricinfo staff January 2009