Rasool works on his fitness at NCA

Parveez Rasool, the first cricketer from Jammu and Kashmir to be included in the Indian squad, spent his first day at the National Cricket Academy preparing for the upcoming tour of Zimbabwe, beginning July 24.

Hailing from Beijbehara, a small town in Kashmir, the off-spinner arrived at the NCA in Bangalore on Monday around 10 am, as advised by legendary spinner Bishan Singh Bedi. He spent time indoors at the academy, working on fitness with the trainers.

The 24-year-old, who was in contention for national selection for a while now after a string of impressive performances, got the nod after the selectors preferred to go in with a young team.

The decision to rest Ravichandran Ashwin paved the way for his selection in the senior team since he is also an off-spinner.

He was also picked for the India 'A' team’s tour of South Africa.

Rasool has taken 46 wickets in 17 first-class matches and scored 1003 runs, at an impressive average of 38.57. He was the standout performer for Jammu & Kashmir in the 2012-13 Ranji Trophy, ending the season as its top scorer and highest wicket-taker.

In seven Ranji matches, he scored 594 runs, at an average of 54, including two centuries, and took 33 wickets, at 18.09. He finished as the third-highest wicket-taker among spinners in the tournament.

The Zimbabwe series will be held from July 24 to August 3 at Harare and Bulawayo.

Image: Parvez Rasool
Photograph: Umar Ganie