18-year-old left-arm medium pacer, Rex Singh, became the first cricketer from Manipur to be selected for the Indian team after being named in the India U-19 squad to take on South Africa U-19 in a two-match ‘Test’ series, starting February 20.
Rex is the second cricketer from the Northeast to represent India after Assam fast bowler Abu Nechim Ahmed in U-19 World Cup 2006. Rex, who had made headlines after claiming all 10 wickets in an innings in an Under-19 Cooch Behar Trophy match against Arunachal Pradesh in December last year, is expected to lead India’s new-ball attack against South Africa.
In December 2018, Rex Rajkumar Singh surprised the cricketing fraternity by achieving the rare feat of picking up all 10 wickets in an innings during the Under-19 Trophy match in Anantpur. His figure of 9.5-6-10-11 and his ability to swing the ball into the batsman was compared to veteran India pacer Irfan Pathan.
Coach Rohendro Singh said as a 10-year-old Rex had already started bowling quick and maintained discipline. ‘That prompted me to take him under my wings, and today, I am happy that he has excelled.’
‘Bowling at the age of 10-11 with a leather ball helped me a lot. Added to that my coach guided me well on how to hold the ball and also told me the importance of the wrist position,’ recalled Rex.
