Total Recall -- The selectors bowl a googly
Vinay Nayudu

Mumbai, February 20: Experience had its say as the National selectors chose leg spinner of the old Narendra Hirwani to replace Anil Kumble in the Indian team that will take on Australia in the first Test of the three-match series starting February 27 in Mumbai .

Also forcing their way back into the team were batsman VVS Laxman and wicketkeeper Nayan Mongia, considered after his exoneration from the match-fixing affair and despite Indian skipper Saurav Ganguly’s ‘favouritism’ for Delhi stumper Vijay Dahiya.

The selectors, who met in the afternoon, also recalled off-spinner Harbhajan Singh (after two seasons) and included left-arm spinner Rahul Sanghvi indicating the onus on spin.

Also getting a berth in the team is middle-order Tamil Nadu batsman Hemang Badani, who excelled in the recently concluded Challenger Series. Regular openers Sadagoppan Ramesh and Shiv Sunder Das along with the big three Sachin Tendulkar, skipper Saurav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid form the batting nucleus.

Javagal Srinath, Ajit Agarkar and Zaheer Khan make for the new-ball attack with Srinath’s long time partner Venkatesh Prasad missing the bus yet again.

The chairman of selection committee Chandu Borde said Hirwani’s selection was backed by Ganguly and coach John Wright, the latter being more keen on him having watched the bowler at the conditioning camp in Chennai. ‘‘We saw the Australians at Nagpur and found that they were not comfortable to the leg spin of Balaji Rao. Since he doesn’t have much experience we went for Hirwani. He is better and accurate.’’

Borde backed his argument stating, ‘‘Hirwani has done very well in the Duleep Trophy and other domestic matches and according to the coach is fit enough to play.’’

Running down the media charge of recalling old hats, Borde gave the example of Australia who have brought along 37-year-old off-spinner Colin Miller. ‘‘If a bowler has the experience and fits the bill he is chosen,’’ Borde said adding ‘‘We hope Hirwani delivers the goods.’’

On Punjab offie Harbhajan Singh getting precedence over Sarandeep Singh, who played against Zimbabwe, Borde said, ‘‘He’s good, but then all cannot play at the same time.’’ Borde said Harbhajan had the advantage of height which saw him extract appreciable bounce which troubled the Aussies. ‘‘Besides he is bowling his best at present,’’ Borde stressed.

Sanghvi had the best credentials with his five-wicket haul against the Aussies at Nagpur.

About the return of Nayan Mongia, the chairman said since he has been cleared from match-fixing, he was the best choice though Dahiya’s name was also discussed.

Calls and Recalls
Narender Hirwani
Many thought that the long-forgotten leggie Narendra Hirwani’s late call to the Chennai camp was just a move to prepare the Indian batsmen to counter Shane Warne. But the man who last played a Test more than a decade-and-a-half back fancied his chances of wearing a navy blue cap again. He promoted his case saying, “coach John Wright knows how I bowl, I had once taken his wicket.” Saying so bluntly, the humble man from Indore just let out a factor which could have gone against him. His age - 32 years. After an ordinary domestic season, except for one Duleep Trophy match, Hirwani was dropped even from his state (MP) side in their crucial game against UP in the Central Zone Ranji league match. But in the backdrop of an empty reserve bench, Hirwani got the nod. India now hopes he can manage the old magic - remember his 16-wicket haul against the West Indies at Chennai!

Rahul Sanghvi
There has been as general consensus about Delhi left-arm spinner’s selection. After Sanghvi’s five-wicket haul in the first innings against the Australians at Nagpur recently, he was underbowled in the second under selectors’ specific instructions. Thus, it became evident that he was the automatic choice to fill the vacancy in the left-arm spin department. Others too say the same about Sanghvi. “He has been bowling much better this season. He has also worked very seriously on his physical fitness,’’ commented Bishan Bedi. ‘‘He is bowling the best among the spinners at the moment. He is pushing the ball faster and giving it a lot of nip in the air as well,’’ said former India left-arm spinner Maninder Singh who watched his Delhi-mate in action as one of the television commentators during the Nagpur game. ‘‘If he bowls in the Test as well as he did at Nagpur, he would be successful. The Australians are struggling against our spinners. It is going to be tough for them in the Tests as well,’’ predicted Maninder.‘‘I have worked very hard this season with the help of Bedi Sir and, for the first time, I am satisfied with my own bowling,’’ he said just before leaving for Nagpur. The selectors too seem satisfied.

Nayan Mongia
Even when the Vadodara stumper was not in the national team, chairman of selectors Chandu Borde had once said that Mongia was the best wicket-keeper in the country. But in the wake of his name figuring in the match-fixing saga, Mongia’s gloves were off. To add to that Mongia also suffered the ignominy of being sent back from Australia during India’s Test series within days of his landing there. The official reason given was miscommunication between tour management party and the Board, but there were many reading between the lines. Mongia’s way was cleared when the CBI exonerated him but his innings of 71 for India A against Aussies proved to be the clincher.

Harbhajan Singh
For quite some time now the two friends Harbhajan Singh and Sarandeep Singh have been having a straight contest for the national berth. Sarandeep got the nod last time during the series against Zimbabwe but for the battle against the Aussies his more experienced state mate gets the green signal. Harbhajan, who made his debut the last time the Aussies came to India, has come long way since those early days. A tiff with Ricky Ponting on the pitch, getting pulled up for suspect bowling action and then getting thrown out of National Cricket Academy are some of the unsavoury memories which he would like to forget. Borde says he is at the peak of his form and if can make the selection committee chairman’s words prophetic he can wipe out that imperfect past.

Hemang Badani
Adjudged as the ‘player of the Challenger series,’ his selection was a foregone conclusion. Obviously elated, ‘‘After my ODI performances, I would like to make a mark in Test also,’’ said Badani about his eagerness to perform well in Tests. Badani hit the spotlight after his match-winning knock against Zimbabwe in a one-day game. Former India captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth felt Badani deserved his place. ‘‘He is a brilliant player. He deserves his place. I’m sure that he will do well in Tests,’’ he said. ‘‘It’s the right time to field him since he has been in top form. He will do well in the Tests,’’ reflected former Test cricketer WV Raman on his inclusion.

-- ENS

Copyright © 2001 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.