Canadian Ravinderpal Singh lone Associate player in Lanka Premier League

Canadian batsman Ravinderpal Singh was one of five overseas signings made by the Colombo Kings at this week’s much anticipated Lanka Premier League (LPL) player auction.

With franchise and international cricket opportunities in relative short supply, it was certain that the overseas selections would be highly competitive. Singh was the only Associate cricketer selected in the auction, but it didn’t come as much of a surprise to the aggressive slugger. “To be honest, I was expecting it, because I did really good in the [Canadian] Global T20(GT20). Whenever I got chance, I got a couple sixes,” Singh told Emerging Cricket. The first cricketer in history to score a century on debut in T20i (101 on August 18, 2019 vs Cayman Islands), Ravi has kept busy this summer to retain his form. Canada’s success handling the Covid-19 pandemic has allowed Ravi to remain a regular in the gym and dominate local tournaments most every weekend.

Along with the GT20, Ravi credits experience in the Qatar T10 with helping him create new opportunities. While the 2020 LPL includes only one associate cricketer, the 2019 GT20 featured 60, and the 2019 Qatar T10 League featured 20. “Qatar T10, that tournament was really good for me. I was expecting probably I would get a chance in this one.”

Canadian teammate Saad Bin Zafar, one of three Canadians in the QT10, went on to be selected this past summer by Saint Lucia Zouks in the CPL where he appeared in two games. “I think (franchise leagues) should give more chances to Associate players, because we have good talent,” Singh continued. “I think ICC, when they allow these leagues, they should make 1-2 Associate players per team.”

The Colombo Kings feature strong overseas options, including batsmen Andre Russell and Faf du Plessis, former IPL wicket keeper batsman Manvinder Bisla, and only one overseas bowler in Manpreet Gony. The Lanka Premier League is scheduled to begin on November 21, barring additional postponements.

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