Frustrated that his cricket career was going nowhere, an 18-year-old Simranjit Singh, aka Simi Singh, from Mohali, Punjab, packed his bags for Ireland in 2005 to devote himself to hotel management.
Little did Simi know that fate had anything else in store for him, because cricket followed him to Ireland. He realized that he could pursue his cricket and his academics at the same time. So in 2006 he joined the Malahide Cricket Club in Dublin as a professional.
Cut into the present; The life of the Mohali-born cricketer came full circle. He scored his first international century against South Africa on the same ground that his cricket journey began in Ireland.
“It was really an emotional blow. At that moment, after completing my century, I saw my entire journey in flashback. Scoring a century in this place where it all began will stay with me forever, ”Simi Singh told IndiaToday.In from Dublin.
“The most gratifying thing about the blow was that it came against players like Nortje (Anrich), Shamsi (Tabraiz) and Maharaj (Keshav), a South African attack in a class of its own. Also, my hit rate was good, ”added Singh.
Interestingly, one of Simi’s Irish teammates Harry Tector was his student when he was a coach at the YMCA Cricket Club in Dublin.
“Harry was 12 when he joined the YMCA Cricket Club academy. I was his coach and then I was the one who gave him his debut cap. It’s been quite a long journey, ”said Singh.
The milestone man
Simi Singh scored an unbeaten 100 against South Africa in the third ODI at the Malahide Cricket Club in Dublin. However, Simi’s efforts weren’t enough when South Africa overwhelmed Ireland with 70 runs to end the series 1-1.
However, Simi Singh set a record when he became the first cricketer to hit an ODI century to beat 8th or lower. He surpassed Englishman Sam Curran, who scored a valiant 95 against India in Pune earlier this year.
South Africa wins the 3rd ODI in Malahide
Simi Singh’s first ODI century, the highest ODI rating of all time with a number 8, is proving to be a wasted effort as the series is 1: 1 tied.
: @cricketireland#IREvSA | https://t.co/zJEPNH7N9b pic.twitter.com/ZK7Ztdpyl6
– ICC (@ICC) July 16, 2021
Simi has played 30 ODIs and 24 T20Is for Ireland since making his international debut in 2017 against New Zealand.
Earlier this year, in February against the UAE, Simi set another world record. The all-rounder failed to score a quick 54, then delivered one of the most economical five-wicket hauls in ODI’s history. Simis 5 for 10 was the fifth most economical five-wicket haul in ODI history. The top four on the list are – West Indies Courtney Walsh (5 for 1 against Sri Lanka 1986), Indian duo Sunil Joshi (5 for 6 against South Africa 1999) and Stuart Binny (6 for 4 against) Bangladesh in 2014), followed by Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralidharan (5 for 9 against New Zealand in 2002).
Simi Singh, the batsman
Simi, who has successfully represented Punjab at the U-14 and U-17 levels, was known for his clout. In 2004, he scored 725 runs in the state U-17 championship. At the 46th National School Games in Vijayawada 2001 he was even named best player.
Although Simi showed a consistent performance, Simi failed to reach the U-19 average for Punjab.
Simi Singh celebrates after scoring 100th goal (Courtesy: Cricket Ireland)
Before Thursday, Simi had only half a century each in the ODIs and T20I cricket. He was on the team for his off-spin bowling. Interestingly, he was a part-time bowler in his early days.
“I’ve started to give myself more time. For example, when I got to the archway on the third ODI we were 92 for 6. So I took the time to sit down and then started playing my natural game, ”said Singh.
After his brilliant innings, Simi hopes that the team leadership will promote him a little higher in the T20I series against South Africa from July 19th.
“Hopefully I’ll be able to beat a little higher in the upcoming games,” he said.
From Mohali to Dublin
In Ireland it wasn’t all for him. With strict residency requirements, Simi’s ECB Level 2 coaching degree and his certified personal trainer training helped him stay afloat in Ireland.
Simi juggled work and cricket and even worked in a grocery store so he could afford to play cricket because he played at the Malahide Cricket Club every weekend; You had to pay five euros per game.
“When I look back, it inspires me to excel more. Those are the days that I still treasure the most, ”remembers Simi.
For over 12 years, Simi worked hard, collecting runs and taking wickets in Irish cricket until he received Irish citizenship and was eligible to play for Ireland in May 2017.
Simi, who started off-spin bowling after watching Saqlain Mushtaq’s videos, won 56 wickets in the Leinster Senior Cup, the first league tournament in Ireland – for the club in 2013. He also scored 786 runs in the club title Victory.
On Ireland cricket
The Irish cricket team has always hit over their weight. They have never been weaklings. Be it her historic World Cup triumphs against Pakistan in 2007 and her arch rival England in the 2011 edition or, most recently, the victory against South Africa with 43 races in the second ODI.
One thing Ireland lacked, however, was consistency. But Simi believes the current crop of Irish cricketers will be more successful, and he pointed out few reasons to support his argument.
“Our fielding standard has increased. In the ODI series, we even did better than South Africa. Fitness is more in focus.
“We play consistently against the top teams and that certainly helped. There is no fear factor in this team. We are no longer intimidated by opponents.
“After all, Ireland is not just dependent on one cricketer. This team doesn’t depend on people like Paul Sterling or Kevin O’Brien, ”said Simi.
After the South Africa series, Ireland will play a white ball series against Zimbabwe from August 6th. Ireland plays three ODIs and 5 T20Is against Zimbabwe.
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