Return of the versatile Munaf

[King]

Chennai: Munaf Patel has the ability to bowl effectively at any stage of an innings. He can achieve controlled movement with the new ball, can operate with precision in the middle-overs, and contain and strike with reverse swing at the ... More... Return of the versatile Munaf S. Dinakar Chennai: Munaf Patel has the ability to bowl effectively at any stage of an innings. He can achieve controlled movement with the new ball, can operate with precision in the middle-overs, and contain and strike with reverse swing at the death. Once the selectors were convinced about Munaf’s recovery from a back strain, his return for the seven-match ODI series in England was on the cards. Munaf has 26 wickets in 22 ODIs at a strike rate of 40.65, conceding 4.54 runs an over. The Englishmen will not have happy memories of Munaf. His three for 18 off eight overs — Kevin Pietersen was among his victims — was a match-winning effort during the ICC Champions Trophy clash in Jaipur last year. By omitting Santhakumaran Sreesanth for the one-dayers against England, the selectors have sent a message to this talented but temperamental paceman: keep your emotions under check. No surprises The 15-member squad for the ODI series is on expected lines. India has the momentum in its favour after a 2-1 triumph over South Africa in Belfast but will need to address a key issue — the No. 3 slot. The idea behind sending Gautam Gambhir at this position in Belfast could not be faulted — the think-tank wanted an attacking batsman during the Power Play in case one of the openers departed early. However, Gambhir’s returns of 0 and 5, and his mode of dismissals, suggested that he had a few technical issues to resolve. Robin Uthappa might receive a run at No. 3 in England. The in-form Subramanium Badrinath is desperately unlucky to miss out again. By picking them for the Twenty20 World championship in South Africa, the selectors have handed over a lifeline to Virender Sehwag, Harbhajan Singh and Irfan Pathan. The emphasis here is on multi-dimensional cricketers, underlined by the selection of all-rounders Joginder Sharma, a paceman, and Yusuf Pathan, an off-spinner. The wise men are seeking to manage the workload issue and this explains the resting of Zaheer Khan. However, the logic of fielding Piyush Chawla, a budding leg-spinner, in the Twenty20 format is open to question. The spirited Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s elevation as captain is a positive move though.

[Chandan]

The wise men are seeking to manage the workload issue and this explains the resting of Zaheer Khan. However, the logic of fielding Piyush Chawla, a budding leg-spinner, in the Twenty20 format is open to question.

Chawla, surprisingly, is better at playing the shorter version than the longer version. Why is that so?

[King]

I don't think there is any strong reason to it. It's only because Anil Kumble is still playing the longer version of the game and carrying 3 spinners on overseas tour probably won't serve much purpose. I've been told Chawla can bat a bit (haven't seen much of that so far) and may come in handy in Twenty20s?

[Chandan]

I was talking about the longer version at FC level. Obviously we can't judge him in the longer version at international level because he has played just one test and that too at the age of 17!

[King]

I thought you were wondering why he was being selected to play the shorter version of the game. You are asking why his record in shorter version is better than at longer version in FC cricket?

[Chandan]

I said he seemed to be better at shorter version of the game than the longer version. Obviously, my observation is based on FC cricket. Chawla has hardly played the number of matches at the highest stage(international level) to judge him at either version!!