For Simranjeet Singh, the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 match against India is more than yet another international match, it is a return to where it all started. The 35-year-old left-arm spinner from Ludhiana can still recall his early days at the Punjab Cricket Association nets in Mohali, where he bowled to young Shubman Gill over a decade ago.
During an interview with PTI, Simranjeet Said:
"I have known Shubman since he was a kid, but I don’t know if he remembers me. It was around 2011-12. He must have been 11 or 12 at the time. We trained at the PCA Academy from 6am to 11am and Shubman would arrive with his father right after. I often stayed back for extra bowling, and that’s when I bowled a lot to him."
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From Punjab Nets to UAE National Team
Simranjeet's cricketing path has been far from linear. He played district cricket in Punjab, became a Ranji Trophy probable in 2017, and even bowled at the nets for Kings XI Punjab. But it did not come easily. His luck changed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said:
“I came to Dubai in April 2021 for about 20 days of practice, but when the second wave hit India, I couldn’t return. I ended up staying back."
To earn a living, he started coaching young players while playing club cricket. Once he met the three-season threshold to be eligible for the UAE, he contacted head coach Lalchand Rajput, who referred to him as a "crafty" bowler.
Rajput said:
"Not every left-arm spinner in T20Is has the heart to give the ball air and flight it consistently. Simran knows how to buy wickets with flight."
Simranjeet has thus far appeared in 12 T20Is for UAE, taking 15 wickets at an economical rate of below six. In his previous match against Afghanistan, he took 1/24 with 11 dot balls.
Off the pitch, he is a practicing Sikh and loves life in the UAE. "This is a great country. No one has ever questioned my beard, kara or kirpan," he replied.
Talking of his family's reaction when he will face India in the Asia Cup 2025, he chuckled: "That’s a tough one. The dream was to play for India, but now that I’m playing for UAE, I think they’ll support UAE."
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