Unraveling the enigma that is Munaf Patel could be difficult, if not impossible. He certainly doesn’t co-operate and questions hurled at him elicit monosyllabic replies. If at all, the puzzle only becomes more complex, leaving one no wiser than before.

Even the news that he’s back in the Indian squad for the forthcoming three-Test series against Sri Lanka doesn’t excite him much — the Ikhar lad has been in and out of the team so often, it seems he’s become blasé about it.

“After the IPL, I expected to be there (in the national team),” says Munaf, who surprised critics with an impressive show in the Indian Premier League, scalping 14 wickets at an economy rate of 7.63. The selectors, it seems, were not impressed and instead of accompanying the team for the Bangladesh tri-series and the Asia Cup in Pakistan, he found himself at a bowler’s camp at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore.

“When I was not picked, I thought they’d kept me as a cover for an unforeseen eventuality. But that was not to be (Manpreet Gony was drafted in after Sreesanth pulled out due to injury). Anyway, I am happy with whatever I have achieved,” he says.

The IPL provided a platform where Munaf rediscovered himself. Under captain Shane Warne and team psychologist Jeremy Snape, he flourished. He grew in confidence match after match and started pitching the ball in the corridor of uncertainty.

“Warne is a very positive captain. He set the field as per my wishes. Snape’s contribution to the team was also huge,” Munaf says, but insists that at the end of the day, his efforts alone bore fruits. But hasn’t he been a bit too inconsistent in the past — sublime one day, and pedestrian on another? “Well, if you bowl well everyday, you will become the best,” he snaps.

... contd.