Sometimes, news just does not grab your attention immediately. For example, when reading a certain headline you may stop scrolling for a second only for the headline to settle in your brain later and for you to say, “Wait, what?”
That’s exactly what happened when I received a notification recently. “Priyank Panchal retires from first-class cricket.”
Yeah? Panchal? The fevicol guy has been single handedly keeping Gujrat defended and pivoted for over a decade. The shy rock of the India A team? Wasn’t he supposed to get that one big call up?
Yes, that one.
The narrative around these cricketers and ‘fevicol guy’ retiring adds significantly to how heartbreakingly real every first class cricketer feels at this moment. My thought process stems from why a single dysfunctional India A cricketer could evoke such emotion.
Without trying to sound overly dramatic, if you have been a fervent follower of cricket beyond glorified twin or IPL evenings, you are likely seeing this in your gut as well. So if you instead happen to be thinking “Why does this matter so much?” Let me take you for a ride, because this story is nowhere close to cricket. It’s about loyalty and the willingness to dedicate oneself to a humble life without ever feeling the urge to shout.
The Classic Case of “Always There but Never Quite There”
We all know the big names, right? Virat Kohli. Rohit Sharma. MS Dhoni. The ones who walk out to a standing ovation, who get the spotlight, and deservedly so.
But then there’s another kind of cricketer. The ones who don’t hog the limelight, but hold everything together from behind the scenes. Priyank Panchal is that guy.
With over 8,800 runs in first-class cricket, an average above 45, and 29 centuries, Priyank didn’t just show up. He showed up and delivered, season after season. For Gujarat. For India A. For every coach and selector who needed a steady hand at the top.
He even got a Test squad call-up in 2021 for the South Africa tour. But the dream debut? Never happened.
Still, he never made noise. Never gave that fiery quote. Just kept batting
Let’s Break Down the Numbers (Because They Deserve It)
If you’re thinking, “Okay but how good was he, really?” Here’s a quick stat check:
- 8,856 runs in 127 First-Class games
- 45.18 average, which is solid by any standard
- 29 centuries and 34 half-centuries
- Captaincy for India A, which means selectors trusted his temperament
- 3,672 runs in List A matches
- 1,522 runs in T20s, even without an IPL gig
That’s not just good. That’s elite. These numbers are the kind that deserve a place in the hall of fame of Indian domestic cricket.
Watching the Rewind? Make It Worth It
Now let’s talk about something that all of us did as soon as we heard the retirement news. We rushed to YouTube, searched “Priyank Panchal best innings,” and hit play. That nostalgic feeling of watching him anchor the innings, score run after run with that perfect front-foot defence, it hits differently, doesn’t it?
But here’s a thought. If you’re going to relive those golden cricketing moments, why not do it right?
This is where Mini LED TVs come in. Imagine watching those Ranji highlights on a screen that gives you richer colours, deeper blacks, and picture clarity that feels almost lifelike. With Haier’s cutting-edge Mini LED tech, you don’t just watch the match, you feel it.
Whether it’s Panchal’s steady footwork or the sound of the ball hitting the sweet spot, everything pops with insane detail. And with a super sleek design that fits beautifully in modern Indian homes, this isn’t just a TV, it’s a lifestyle upgrade.
Why He Never Made It to the Big Stage?
This is the uncomfortable part. In Indian cricket, timing and luck matter almost as much as talent. Priyank was at his best when India already had a solid Test opening pair. By the time opportunities came up, he was a little older than the rising stars.
Also, he wasn’t a power-hitter. No fancy helicopter shots. Just good old-school technique. Maybe not flashy enough for today’s franchise-driven ecosystem.
But you know what? He still kept going.
That’s not failure. That’s integrity.
What We Can All Learn From Priyank Panchal
Let’s summarise what makes this story so powerful for modern Indian households:
- Loyalty to craft: He stayed committed even without external rewards.
- Discipline: Always prepared. Always in form.
- Reliability: Delivered in every format, every season.
- Minimalism: Never flashy. Always functional.
- Resilience: Got dropped, overlooked, ignored. Still kept going.
Isn’t that exactly what we want from the brands we trust at home? Whether it’s your daily cup of chai, or the fridge where you store your favourite mithai.
Final Word: Cricket May Forget, But We Won’t
Cricket has a way of moving on quickly. One retirement today, another debut tomorrow. But for those of us who’ve followed the game with our hearts, some players never leave.
Priyank Panchal may not have worn the India jersey in a Test match, but he wore the game on his sleeve every single time he walked out to bat.
So tonight, while you sip your chilled buttermilk, maybe raise a toast. Not to the superstars. But to the steady ones. The ones who keep everything together while the rest of the world moves on.
A Word From Haier India
In our homes, much like in cricket, it’s the dependable ones who matter the most.
Just like Priyank Panchal never let his team down, Haier India promises appliances that deliver worry-free performance day after day. Be it their cutting-edge refrigerators with triple inverter technology or their super-quiet front load washing machines, Haier is that trusted partner in your everyday life.
So if you’re someone who values performance, consistency, and quiet confidence, Haier is your kind of brand.
Visit Haier India and discover how reliability can be beautifully simple.
Because every home deserves a Panchal of its own.