da supremo： Javagal Srinath, the former India fast bowler, reckons that Irfan Pathan’stemporary loss of form is “not a cause for concern and that he should bepersisted with.” Srinath asserted that, given his age and talent, Pathanwill bounce back and is still a wo
Kanishkaa Balachandran11-Aug-2006
Irfan Pathan: lost his confidence in the Caribbean © Getty Images
Javagal Srinath, the former India fast bowler, reckons Irfan Pathan’stemporary loss of form is “not a cause for concern and that he should bepersisted with.” Srinath asserted that, given his age and talent, Pathanwill bounce back and is still a worthwhile investment.Laxman Sivaramakrishnan, the former India spinner and currently acommentator, felt that it was crucial for Pathan to focus on swing and notpace. Speaking in a forum jointly organised by the television broadcaster, Ten Sports, and the Press Club of Mumbai, Sivaramakrishnan observed that Pathan had been low onconfidence in the recent series in the Caribbean.”When he started out, he was more side-on [at the point ofdelivery], but now his action seems to have opened up,” said Sivaramakrishnan. “Andy Roberts, [the former West Indies fast bowler] identified a few technical deficiencies. His initial strides in his run-up were longer and it shortened as heapproached the crease. Roberts said that it should be the opposite.”Srinath concurred with Sivaramakrishnan’s view that Pathan’s focus shouldbe on swing but asserted : “there is a minimum threshold of pace – 130kph – which he should maintain”.Looking ahead to the tri-series in Sri Lanka, also featuring India andSouth Africa, Muttiah Muralitharan was identified as the chief reason why Sri Lanka will start as favourites. Should the Indian batsmen, especially Mahendra Singh Dhoni, try to attack Murali? Srinath reckoned that it wouldn’t be an easy task.”Dhoni can tear apart a one-dimensional bowler,” explained Srinath, “but Murali is multi-dimensional, with his and variations.” Sivaramakrishnan agreed and was of the opinion that India should preserve wickets against Murali and ensure that they score 35-40 runs without losing a wicket. He said: “If he remains wicket-less, a wicket-taker like him might end up trying too hard and that could benefit India.”Sivaramakrishnan identified Ajit Agarkar as one of the key bowlers forIndia, with the capability of restricting Sanath Jayasuriya. “He was ourbest fast bowler in the West Indies and managed to contain Chris Gayle, astrokeplayer in the mould of Jayasuriya.” While Sivaramakrishnan felt thatAgarkar should have been retained for the Test series, Srinath believed his absence was a “blessing in disguise”. He said: “Agarkar’s body is fragile whichdoesn’t allow him long spells. He should stick to playing one-daycricket.”
Sachin Tendulkar: still able to walk into the team © Getty Images
Considering the sluggish wickets on offer in Sri Lanka, Srinath said thatit was imperative that India went with two specialist spinners – Anil Kumbleand Harbhajan Singh, backed by two seamers. The panel felt that theplaying surfaces in Sri Lanka and the West Indies, where the World Cupwould be played, are quite similar, and hence this tri-series would be anideal dress rehearsal for the big tournament.Srinath believed it was time Kumble was reinstated permanently to the ODI squad. “Kumble is a senior pro and should be assigned a task to groom the other bowlers – spinners as well as fast bowlers, given that he has a wealth of knowledge in fast bowling. He should have been included earlier.”Srinath backed Zaheer Khan – who has been out of the squad since the tourof Pakistan and now included in the 30-member probables list for theChampions Trophy – and stated that he had earned his recall after asuccessful stint with Worcestershire.On the Rahul Dravid-Greg Chappell combination, the panel shared the viewthat Dravid had found a like-minded individual in Chappell – both aremethodical in nature but felt that it was time they cut down onexperimenting and arrived at a settled combination. While Srinath acceptedthat flexibility is important, the constant shuffling of the batting orderhad affected the performances. He cited Pathan as a case in point. “Theadded pressure of batting has affected his bowling.”On Sachin Tendulkar’s return from injury, the panel exuded confidence thathe would be among the runs. Srinath felt that Tendulkar could still walkinto the team. He said, “He has to play whether he makes runs or not. He mighteven struggle in this tri-series but will come good soon. It will bedifficult for anybody, however great, to come back immediately into formafter a long lay-off.”The panel were unanimous in their opinion that South Africa were severelyhandicapped by the absence of Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis and JustinKemp. Manjrekar and Srinath expressed concern over Shaun Pollock’s loss ofform and pace. Srinath opined that “his body has taken enough beating”,while Manjrekar was especially “saddened” at the sight of Pollock bowlingoffspin in the recently concluded Test series against Sri Lanka.