After nearly 14,000 domestic runs, when Priyank Panchal called it time on his first-class career earlier this year, it raised quite a few eyebrows. Batters in Ranji Trophy hold the caliber to produce domineering returns even when they touch 40, as their wealth of experience comes in more than handy in the country’s premier red-ball tournament. However, Panchal, a former India A skipper, had different plans. For years, he was stereotyped as a Test player, missing out on the national team call-up by a whisker in December 2021 during the tour of South Africa.

In the final phase of his playing career, he wished to explore the realms of his gameplay in the shorter formats to the fullest. But, to ply his trade in T20 leagues across the world would mean renouncing his cricketing journey in India

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