Mandeep Singh scored his 16th first-class century on Sunday, a first for his adopted state, Tripura. He scored an unbeaten 124 in the second innings against Services. The match ended in a draw with Services taking the first-innings lead, but for Mandeep, the knock has ignited hope.
The last few months have been challenging for Singh, who played three T20Is for India nearly nine years ago. Last year in August, his home state, the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA), informed Mandeep Singh that they were not considering him for any format. He had to move states, which he had never imagined. He has been without an IPL contract for two consecutive years, and his teammates and those he has played with are taking early retirements to play in leagues for retired players.
But the performances of his U-19 teammates, Karun Nair and Mayank Agarwal, inspired him. The 33-year-old wrote a note to himself: “Abhi nahi, abhi kaafi cricket baaki hai (Not now, there is plenty of cricket left in me).” He calls his century against Services “the most satisfying.” He is averaging 88 in this season’s Ranji Trophy and in seven matches and nine innings has amassed 440 runs. In the recently concluded Vijay Hazare Trophy, the right-handed batter scored 325 runs in six innings and was the highest run-scorer among batters batting between positions 4 to 6.
“After leaving Punjab, the immediate thought of retiring didn’t cross my mind. But when I saw my former teammates or those with whom I have played cricket retiring, it kind of hit me hard. I was shocked to see fellow cricketers retiring early, and it felt weird. You are just 32, 33, and you are retiring,” says Singh.
Singh says the lack of an IPL contract is a significant factor contributing to the early retirements of many domestic cricketers.
“I guess the IPL is a big factor. If you don’t have an IPL contract, your cricket career is virtually over. There are leagues for retired players where you can earn good money for 15-20-day tournaments. If you have played for India, you can easily make Rs 1 crore in a year. Maybe it is one of the reasons, or maybe the fire is not in them anymore,” he says.
Mandeep recalls that during a time when thoughts of quitting cricket started to hover over him, he stumbled upon a YouTube video by mind guru Paddy Upton, which helped him recollect a conversation he had with his former RCB teammate, AB de Villiers.
“I watched a video by Paddy Upton, where he was saying in cricket, batters peak after turning 30,” he says.
“It took me back to the conversation I had with AB de Villiers. I vividly remember him saying, ‘Leave Virat Kohli alone. He’s an exceptional player. He peaked very early in his career. But, if you see, everyone else, 29, 30, even after that, batters generally hit their peak,’” recalled Singh.
He then added, “In this ongoing season, I have realized that there is a lot of fire in me. I am fit, I can compete with 22-23-year-olds. I never felt like I was dragging myself. I had a good season with the bat in all three formats. I feel that maybe the best is yet to come.”
Mandeep, who led Punjab to their maiden Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title in 2023-24, ending the state’s 31-year drought for the title, felt let down when the PCA shut the door on him a few months later. Mandeep touched upon a couple of incident which shocked him.
“First they didn’t made me captain of any of the Sher-E-Punjab T20 cup (PCA’s T20 league). I was the captain of Punjab, which lifted Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. I let it go. Then my name was missing from the squad, which was going to Namibia for a pre-season camp. I was told that they are not considering me for the white-ball tournaments.
“I felt let down. Kaafi kharab laga (I felt really bad). For me, winning a Trophy for Punjab was at par with playing for India. I was that invested in the team. Being Punjabi myself, Punjab is in my heart. I never thought that I would have to leave Punjab and play for another state,” he says. “I feel it was also my mistake. My last season was horrible. The PCA wanted to give chances to younger players, and my form was bad too, so I decided to move on.”
The Tripura captain says that in India’s cricketing culture when a cricketer turns 30, even their home association shuts the door on them. He believes the BCCI should continue to consider those who are above 30 and are performing well in domestic cricket.
“Take the example of Karun Nair and Mayank Agarwal. They are my batchmates (U-19). I am not saying pick Karun directly in the India team, but keep him in the scheme of things. Select him for India A tours, the Duleep Trophy, and the Deodhar Trophy.
“I have always heard people saying, ‘Age is just a number.’ Do we literally mean that in India? My U-19 mates are pushing, and they have inspired me. I want to have another shot for India A at least,” wishes Singh.
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