Hirwani, Harbhajan, Mongia recalled

Hirwani, Harbhajan, Mongia recalled
Vinay Nayudu

MUMBAI, FEBRUARY 20: Experience finally had its say as the National selectors chose leg spinner of the old Narendra Hirwani to replace Anil Kumble in the Indian cricket team that will take on Australia in the first Test of the challenging three-match series in Mumbai starting February 27.

Also forcing their way back into the team following impressive performances were batsman Vangipurappu Venkata Sai (VVS) Laxman and wicketkeeper Nayan Mongia, considered after his exoneration from the match-fixing affair and despite Indian skipper Saurav Ganguly's favouritism for Delhi stumper Vijay Dahiya.

The selectors, who met here Tuesday afternoon, also recalled off-spinner Harbhajan Singh (after two seasons) and included left-arm orthodox bowler Rahul Sanghvi indicating the onus on spin.

Also getting a berth in the team is middle-order batsman Hemang Badani, who excelled in the recently concluded Challenger Series.

Regular openers Sadagoppan Ramesh and Shiv Sunder Das along with the big three Sachin Tendulkar, skipper Saurav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid form the batting nucleus.

Javagal Srinath, Ajit Agarkar and Zaheer Khan make for the new-ball attack with Srinath's long time partner Venkatesh Prasad missing the bus.

The chairman of selection committee Chandu Borde said the choice of Hirwani was backed by the Indian captain Saurav Ganguly and coach John Wright, the latter being more keen on him having watched the bowler at the conditioning camp in Chennai.

``We saw the Australians at Nagpur in the warm up match and found that they were not comfortable to the leg spin of young Balaji Rao but since the bowler doesn't have much experience we went for Hirwani.

``He is better and accurate.''

Borde backed his argument stating, ``Hirwani has done very well in the Duleep Trophy and other domestic matches and according to the coach is fit enough to play.''

Running down the media charge of recalling old hats, Borde gave the example of Australia who have brought along 37-year-old off-spinner Colin Miller. ``If a bowler has the experience and fits the bill he is chosen,'' Borde said adding ``we hope Hirwani delivers the goods.''

On Punjab offie Harbhajan Singh getting precedence over Sharandeep Singh, who played against the Zimbabwe last, Borde came up with a logical answer -- ``He's good, but then all cannot play at the same time.''

Borde said Harbhajan's had the advantage of height which saw him extract appreciable bounce something that troubled the Aussies. ``Besides he is bowling his best at present,'' Borde stressed.

Delhi bowler Rahul Sanghvi, who will make his debut if included in the playing eleven, had the best credentials and Borde or the media had little to argue about. Sanghvi had a five-wicket haul against the Aussies at Nagpur.

About the return of Nayan Mongia, the chairman said he is the best in the country and has had some fine performances and since he has been cleared from match-fixing, he was the best choice though Dahiya's name was also discussed.

Strangely according to Borde, both Ganguly and Wright opted for Mongia over Dahiya. Queries of there being a dislike by the team members for Mongia found little answers.

On why Mongia was not considered earlier when Dahiya and Saba Karim were being included, Borde said then there was a bar on his selection then.

Among the other names that were discussed according to Borde were that of leg spinner Sairaj Bahutule of Mumbai and Sharandeep Singh of Punjab.

On whether all the three spinners will make the team, Borde said that will be decided by the team management.

The Team

Saurav Ganguly (Captain), Sadagoppan Ramesh, Shiv Sundar Das, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, Hemang Badani, Javagal Srinath, Ajit Agarkar, Zaheer Khan, Rahul Sanghvi, Harbhajan Singh, Narendra Hirwani, Nayan Mongia (wk).