“He will definitely help in strengthening the side and help the young players. He showed good character by playing in the local tournaments and scored hundreds after coming back from Australia where he was not in full form,” said Amre.

“He was involved in the matchwinning partnership of 342 runs with Ajinkya Rahane which gave us time to bowl out the England Lions (in a Duleep Trophy match),”he added.

Amre also credited wicketkeeper and skipper Parthiv Patel for leading the side to the final of the Duleep Trophy. “Parthiv has led the side very well.”

West Zone will take on North Zone in the Duleep Trophy final beginning here on February 19. Amre, a former Test player, feels that both teams, who have won the prestigious trophy multiple times, played extremely well in the league matches.

On Ramesh Powar being dropped for the final, he said the off-spinner was wicketless in two innings and the selectors decided that he needs to work on his bowling.

“The track in the last match suited the spinners and he did not take wickets. But he has been chosen in the one-day squad. He will now have to start form zero and I am sure he will bounce back.”