Meet Manipur's first cricketer to be selected in India's under-19 team

Imphal (Manipur) [India], April 27 (ANI):  Manipur is not only known for its scenic beauty but has also given some incredible sports stars who have made the nation proud with their commendable performances.  
Rajkumar Rex Singh is one such person who has made the region proud by becoming the first cricketer to be selected in the Indian cricket team’s under-19 squad. Singh was recently picked for a test match against South Africa.
Manipur is known as a powerhouse of sports. The region has produced many players who have participated globally and have made the nation proud through their achievements.  
Away from the glitz and glamour of the Indian Premier League, history is being written in one of the newest centres of Indian cricket.
The 18-year-old left arm pacer is the first cricketer from the state to feature in an Indian side ever.
“I got a call from the BCCI for verification and after that, I got an official call from Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA). I am very happy and proud to be part of the Under-19 team,” said Singh.
Born and raised in Sagolband Moirang Hanuba village, Singh’s journey to cricket began with a tennis ball in a tiny ground near his house at the age of 11 years. However, his talent was first noticed by Ph Rohendro Singh, who is also Singh's current coach. 
It was not long before Singh’s first notable performance came in. In 2014 in Ranchi, he picked up a five-wicket haul against Bihar U-16 (Associate and Affiliated Tournament).
Singh said he is thankful to his father, who is a truck driver in Imphal, for supporting him financially. Though he feels that cricket is an expensive game, the budding player says he is happy that he made his parents proud.
“I was expecting that someday he will do great. At a very tender age, he started practising cricket and I am really happy that my son is now doing great in Cricket. He would often practice in the tiny ground,” said R.K. Doren, father of Singh.
Singh recalled that bowling at the age of 10-11 years with a leather ball helped him a lot and said that his coach guided him well on how to hold the ball and the importance of wrist position.
“I was supposed to leave school but I will complete my education. So I will finish my 12th standard and graduation. I belong to a poor family so sometimes I struggle,” said Singh.
Singh made headlines in December last year after claiming all 10 wickets in an innings in the Under-19 Cooch Behar Trophy match against Arunachal Pradesh in Ananthpur which he says is his favourite cricketing moment. His ability to swing the ball was also compared with veteran Indian pacer Irfan Pathan.  
“Being a mother, I put a lot of effort to train him. Like ensuring that he comes back and eat on time. Being a mother, I feel that the role of a mother is very important to train a child,” said Singh's mother Renubala Devi.  (ANI)