Jatin Paranjpe - India - Batsman

A broad frame, big build, heavy bat, and a stroke-player. India, in the 90s, were probably dreaming about a power-hitter of Paranjpe's calibre and muscle strength. After lighting up the domestic circuit with his flashy strokeplay and enormous hitting since 1992, the selectors saw him fit to take up the pinch-hitter's role in the Indian side and he was called up in 1998 only to be struck by an unfortunate injury.

After a grind of seven years he was finally called up for the national team; he certainly couldn't accept fate as it was served to him. He plundered 606 runs in 4 innings in the subsequent Ranji season and broke through the selectors' doors (metaphorically of course), and he was rewarded with the India 'A' jersey to tour Pakistan. The tour ended in an anti-climax, however, as he was unable to produce any noteworthy innings.

He then traveled to Toronto with the national side and showed glimpses of composure with a run-a-ball 23* to finish off a chase as India romped home in the series opener. He showed the perfect blend of flare and composure out in the centre, almost like a time-travelling MS Dhoni whose astute mind could figure out chases in his sleep.

Alas, an ankle injury played spoilsport again after a couple of games and he could never quite make the climb back into national reckoning - almost stampeded out of contention. With a solid base technique and defence to combine with his attacking strokeplay, he hammered 652 runs in the turn of the century Ranji season, but his tryst with injuries had dragged him too far back. And we never saw him again...

...Until of course, after 16 years, he was inducted into the panel of selectors for the national team along with four others as the head of the West Zone. His stay though was shortlived, getting the axe in 2016, thanks to the Supreme Court appointed Lodha Panel's recommendations coming into effect, reducing the selection panel to a three-member committee.