Spin camera focussed on Balaji Rao -- Chandu Borde

Spin camera focussed on Balaji Rao -- Chandu Borde
C Ramaswamy

Chennai, February 9: I hope our boys will halt the winning streak of the Australians,’’ said the National senior cricket selection committee chairman Chandu Borde, who watched the conditioning camp here today.

‘‘I am optimistic about the series against the Aussies. Our players are being shaped up for the contest. The camp will give them the required physical and mental strength. The boys are being prepared in the right course by coach John Wright.’’ he said.

He expressed concern about leg-spinner Anil Kumble not playing in the series. When asked if the the focus would be on the Tamil Nadu leg-spinner WD Balaji Rao, the selection panel chief said ‘‘Balaji Rao is being monitored closely. He has been doing well.’’

Balaji Rao is already seen as India’s next leg-spin prospect.

However, Borde added, ‘‘It is not the question of leg-spinner or offie. In the final analysis we want to pick the best among them.’’

About Nayan Mongia, who was included among the probables after being cleared from the match-fixing allegations, Borde said:‘‘He is in very much in contention along with Dahiya.’’

What about the allegations in foreign media that Borde and John Wright instructed the groundsmen to prepare tailor-made wickets. ‘‘It is totally false,’’ he refuted. ‘‘Preparing wickets to suit the home team is universal,’’ he said.What will be the combination of the team?, ‘‘It will be decided on the basis of the nature of the pitch.’’

Has Borde taken note of the under-19 boys who played against England recently. ‘‘No we have not discussed that,’’ he said.

The probables were put through a hard session on the third day. They were out on the ground for nearly five hours at the IIT-Chemplast ground.

Along with Borde, selectors TA Sekhar and Ashok Malhotra were also present at the venue.

Former India captain K Srikkanth was a visitor to the camp today. He spent some time with skipper Saurav Ganguly besides talking to the players.The camp concludes on February 11.

Sarandeep has a bright future, says Erapalli PrasannaMumbai: Former off-spinner Erapalli Prasanna feels that Sarandeep Singh could develop into a good off-spinner for the future.

“Sarandeep’s entry into Test cricket has been interesting and I hope he does well against the Aussies as well. I spent about ten days with him at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bangalore and I am glad that it has paid off to some extent,” Prasanna heaped praise on the Punjab spinner.

He, however, firmly beleives that despite the absence of Anil Kumble (who is recuperating from a shoulder injury) India will be able to play to their potential against the Aussies in the forthcoming home series. “I personally feel that the present team is quite strong despite the absence of Kumble,” added Prasanna, who had a rich haul of 26 wickets against the Aussies at home in the 1969-70 series.

Prasanna, who is here to play for the Cricket Club of India (CCI) XI vs Izingari (the oldest club in England) in a friendly match, said: “Our team is definitely not weak compared to the Australians and we have a good chance of winning both the Test series as well as the One-day series.”