Among the many, Ashutosh Dyneshwar Agashe said to have proved his mettle. Fifty-five wickets in 18 outings has made the 27-year-old medium pacer bowler a hot contender for the Ranji slot. ``Yes, it has done a world of good to me, and I hope to do an encore this Ranji season if selected,'' vows Ashutosh who landed in the city on Friday.

Ashutosh did not get a good deal in the last three years of domestic cricket, but for the player who is more of a swing bowler than pace, his stint with the Creeve Don Ell, Northern Ireland in London Darry - the Belfast League has turned over new leaf in his cricketing career.

``It's different cricket altogether over there, not that I was the only professional, but the playing conditions and the atmosphere is quite different,'' says Ashotush, a former student of the Children's Academy at Shivajinagar.

Although he refuses to reveal much about his assignment abroad, it was quite evident that he has added a sting to his bowling as he claimed nine wickets in his first duty for his team, Brihans, here today.

``Call is just a tip of the iceberg or anything, I don't want to disclose anything further about my learnings at the Belfast Telegraph League.''Did his presence do anything good for his team Creeve Don Ell? ``Yes, the team which was placed VII last year has propped up five places and we finished behind the leaders,'' he says.

With the Ranji season just round the corner, Ashutosh, along with Abhijit Kale and Jaideep Narse could be a boost to the Maharashtra team who open their campaign against arch rivals Mumbai in Mumbai.