He loves the recognition he gets in a foreign land. Yet, Murali Kartik longs for adulation back home, coming as he does from the land of spinners. His foray with Middlesex county — he bagged 25 wickets in eight matches under cold, seaming conditions — has been successful this season. But more than Kartik, it’s someone else who has kept the English audience spellbound: Monty Panesar.

And Kartik, too, is in awe of the recent phenomenon in English cricket. “Oh, he’s the crowd’s darling. They simply love him here. Monty is a cute, fidgety, happy character. He’s got big eyes, wears the turban in a different way; he’s got his own style and, of course, Monty’s theatrics and antics on the field are very popular,” he tells The Indian Express over phone.

Panesar was almost charged under ICC Code of Conduct for excessive appealing in the third Test, but has received vehement support from England coach Peter Moores who attributed his appealing to the pressure situation and his enthusiasm while bowling.

And even Panesar himself later admitted he gets “a little too carried away when I’m out there.”

Kartik says: “Everybody knows he’s a big bunny with the bat and is no great fielder either. So whenever he dives to make a save or smash a few runs, they love him even more. With the ball, he’s been great. Monty is picking wickets and winning Test matches for them. England haven’t seen a spinner who’s won them matches in recent times and more over he’s a great entertainer.”

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