While the cyclone brushed past Mumbai on Wednesday, Pradeep Sangwan twiddled his thumbs in despair at the MCA Stadium, as the first day of the Board President’s XI match against the visiting Sri Lankans was washed out without a ball being bowled. At the same time, Pawan Suyal — Sangwan’s replacement in the Delhi squad - scalped four Karnataka wickets in the first innings of his Ranji Trophy debut.

Making up for his lack of experience with sheer grit, Suyal received complete backing from his teammates and Delhi coach Vijay Dahiya to fast track his way to the senior team.

“I would never have imagined a debut like this one. It is unimaginable,” Suyal told Sportline. “I did not get Rahul Dravid’s wicket, but just a few months back I could not have imagined that I would have the opportunity to even bowl at him. It has been a day to remember,” he added. According to the fast bowler, former India spinner Sunil Joshi’s wicket was the most precious of the lot. “All my wickets were special but I enjoyed the way I trapped Sunil Joshi in front of the wicket most of all.”

With only his overnight wicket of Amit Verma against his name, Suyal bowled tirelessly all day from one end before mopping up the tail. In the process, he finished with figures of 26.2 - 7 - 67 - 4. Nicknamed the Paudi Express, Dahiya feels that left-arm seamer could clock past the 140 kmph barrier as his career progresses. “There is no speedometer on this ground, but I feel he is bowling at about 135kmph. He should improve by atleast 5-7 kmph as he gains more experience,” he said.

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