Sikkim Cricketer Ankur Malik has been selected to play in the upcoming Under 19 Men’s One Day Trophy to be held at Ahmedabad, Gujarat from 25th October to 10th November 2021. This is for the second time after Amos Rai who was selected for Zonal Cricket in the year 2000 that the player has been selected to play in the higher division of the Domestic Tournament.
Ankur Malik aged 17, has been part of the recently concluded Vinoo Mankad Trophy and gave a remarkable performance in the tournament. Out of five league matches, Sikkim played only four matches (one match was abandoned due to rain). He scored 205 runs in four matches and took 16 wickets. He was ranked 3rd best in bowling and 21st in batting order in all of India.
Sikkim in recent times is doing well under the vision of SICA and the guidance of Dr Atul Gaikwad, the Director of Coaching of Sikkim Cricket Association (SICA). The Sikkim players are now under good guidance and have a hunger to excel and win matches for the State.
Dr Gaikwad says, “Indeed it is very inspiring for us and for many cricketers from Sikkim, slowly and steadily the fruits you are seeing in the form of Ankur’s and U19 girls team achievements is simply due to the hard work of our President, Secretary, Executive members and each person involved in Sikkim cricket, the seeds have been already sown by them, now let’s wait for few more years and you find soon a IPL star and a India player from SICA”.
Challengers Trophy is organised by the Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI), comprising of six teams with the top-performing players of Vinoo Mankad Trophy (the U19 One Day Tournament). Further players from this tournament will be selected to play for India Under 19 Team in the U19 World Cup 2022.
“Finally we are seeing the results of the consistent and constant guidance by coaches, trainers, Physio to upgrade the standard. The SICA family is abundantly satisfied with this season’s good start.” added Lobzang G. Tenzing, The President of SICA.
