Shobit Singh called up to Vic seconds after burst of runs for new club

A change of clubs and a new, aggressive approach have taken Shobit Singh to the top of the Victorian Premier Cricket run charts this season. Now he’s been selected for the state Second XI.

Shobit Singh on his way to a big century for Dandenong against Greenvale Kangaroos at Shepley Oval last November. Photo: Josh Chadwick

The runs are coming for Shobit Singh now, plentifully and stylishly.

But even when they were eluding him last season, the 22-year-old right-hander says he never lost confidence in his ability to make them.

“I thought it was a matter of time,’’ he says.

“Towards the end of last season, I thought I was hitting the ball well. I was batting the best I had. I thought the big scores were around the corner.’’

At a new club and in a new position in the order, the corner has been turned.

Singh has hit 735 runs for Dandenong this season to top the Premier Cricket chart.

On Saturday, in front of state selector Graeme Rummans, he cracked 98 against Melbourne University. He was dismissed in the last over of the day, holing out as he put the team total ahead of his personal tally. “An extra run or two could have been the difference between us winning or losing the game. You just don’t know,’’ he says.

On Monday, Singh took a phone call from Victorian official David Hussey to alert him to his selection for the Victorian Second XI team to play South Australia in Adelaide next week.

Shobit Singh hits through cover this season. Photo: Josh Chadwick

He had Hussey’s number stored. The male head of state cricket had contacted him earlier in the season after Singh was picked for a Vic Colts XI to meet NSW.

Singh’s own numbers this season are dazzling. He has scores of 160 against Northcote, 167 against Greenvale Kangaroos, 78 against Kingston Hawthorn, 76 against Melbourne and the 98 against Uni. His 160 came off 182 balls. His 167 was made off 165 deliveries.

Contrast his high-tempo hands for Dandenong to his struggles at Richmond last season.

At one stage, after a run of scores of 6, 1, 2 and 0, he was dropped to the seconds. Back in the top team, he crafted his maiden century, 103 off 195 balls against Melbourne.

He finished the season with 362 First XI runs. At the end of it, despite his close relationship with coach Shannon Young, the Australian Under 16 representative chose to move on from the club where he made his debut in 2020-21.

“I was just after a change of environment,’’ Singh says.

“I’d been there (Richmond) for a few years. It was a bit to do with the wicket and the conditions as well.

“Shannon was understanding. He’s been a big part of my cricket. Going to under-age training under him was so beneficial. We still talk now. He’s been very supportive.’’

After saying his goodbyes at Richmond, Singh spoke to Casey South Melbourne but settled on Dandenong; he knew coach Tom Donnell and captain Brett Forsyth.

Shobit Singh in his first season for Richmond.

He also resolved to change his approach, replacing caution with aggression. It reflected his belief that he could perform well in all three formats.

“Now I’m looking to pretty much score off every ball, trying to be more attacking and positive no matter what the situation is,’’ Singh, a commerce student at Deakin University, says.

“I feel it brings out the best in me if I think that way and play that way. I don’t want people thinking I can only play one format. I’m good enough to play every format. Red-ball or white-ball, I’m OK with it.’’

An opener with the Tigers, he’s dropped down the list at Dandy, going in at No. 4 in the two-dayers and at No. 3 in 50-over games. He did open in the T20s.

Had he been too defensive-minded at Richmond?

“Umm, yep,’’ he says. “Opening the batting in Premier Cricket can be hard. I felt I had to close off some of my scoring shots. The shift this season … defence has been my second option. Looking to score has been my first option.’’

Forsyth was coaching at Haileybury College when he first came across Singh. He tracked his achievements in pathways cricket – “he was a bit of an under-age superstar’’ – and was chuffed when he decided to play at Dandenong.

They have shared two century-stands this season and Forsyth has seen a “hungry’’ cricketer.

“He’s certainly got a lot of belief in himself and what he can do personally and what he can contribute to the team,’’ Forsyth says.

“He’s got a pretty strong desire to make runs. He gets himself in most games and gives himself a chance to kick on from there. I guess what sets him apart is, he can go from first gear to second gear and third gear, and his third gear is pretty entertaining. He’s got all of the modern skill-sets to score quickly, to take it up to the bowlers and to really dominate and impact on the game and set the team up. He’s a very impressive player, to be honest.’’

Singh was held up as a player of rich promise after playing for the Australian Under 16 team in 2019.

Shobit Singh after scoring a century for the Australian Under 16 team in 2019.

He scored a century in a five-match series against Pakistan at Dubai.

Twelve months earlier he made 144 not out for the Victoria Metro Under 15 team at the national championships in Queensland.

The young Vics won the title — and Singh won acclaim after breaking Aaron Finch’s record for the most runs at the championships. He finished with 320 at 64.

But he hasn’t had everything his way at Premier level.

“It can be tough for young players finding their feet in men’s cricket and going from that jump from being a bit of an under-age superstar to playing against men week in, week out, and trying to figure out the three different formats,’’ Forsyth notes.

“So maybe a fresh start and deciding to play a bit more aggressively and back himself has been the right approach for him.’’

Singh was born in India and came with his parents to Australia when he was seven months old.

He started his cricket with the juniors at Berwick Springs.

* The Victorian Second XI will play South Australia at Karen Rolton Ocval from January 27-30.

Originally published as Shobit Singh called up to Vic seconds after burst of runs for new club