INDIA

At the age of nine, a boy staying near PCA stadium in Mohali got obsessed with the sound of ball on bat. Thus began a dream which came to life when he was selected in the ODI squad against the visiting Proteas in 2015. Talk about Gurkeerat Singh Mann and here’s someone who just goes about his business without too much fuss. Who knows his limitations, and how to maximize his potential with what he has.

Gurkeerat rose up the ranks from various U-19 and U-22 competitions for Punjab. He was part of the CK Nayudu winning U-22 team. And as performances started weighing up, came the IPL contract from Kings XI Punjab in 2012.

India’s chief selector Sandeep Patil lauded the Punjab lad’s all-round ability while speaking about his selection. It so happens that he is a handy off-spinner as well who can chip in with a few useful overs. The right-handed batsman made his ODI debut during India’s tour Down Under in 2016 but was not a regular in the side post that series.