The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Kaarthick should play ODIs too: Patil

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Thursday, Mar 31, 2005

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Sport - Cricket

Kaarthick should play ODIs too: Patil

By Our Special Correspondent

MUMBAI, MARCH 30. Sandeep Patil felt that the revolving door policy adopted by the selectors while dealing with the wicketkeeper's position will not help them make a proper assessment of Dinesh Kaarthick.

According to Patil, the young stumper from Tamil Nadu, who has risen through the ranks from the India under-19 and India `A' levels like Parthiv Patel, has not been given sufficient time to prove himself.

Patel said that Kaarthick should be India's No. 1 man to don the big gloves in both Tests and One-Day Internationals. He has played eight Tests, scored 243 runs, taken 23 catches and made four stumpings, apart from figuring in two one-dayers. On the other hand, Mahendra Singh Dhoni has played three One-Day Internationals and scored 19 runs.

Taking a short break from a family get-together at the Cricket Club of

India on Tuesday evening, the former India and India `A' coach said that Kaarthick should have been retained in the one-day squad.

Tremendous potential

About Kaarthick's ability, Patil said, "I have seen him bat. He's got tremendous potential. The selectors should keep faith in him and give him a proper batting order. Look at the Australian side. They play five and five, with Adam Gilchrist coming at No. 6.

"When someone like Kaarthick is given No. 7 after a No. 6 specialist batsman, then things tend to get relaxed. Why should a team always look to score 500 and 600 runs when you can pick five bowlers and dismiss the opponent for 300? A strategy should be evolved by the selectors and the team management in arriving at such decisions.''

Patil will be leaving next week for Muscat to begin the first phase of

Oman's training session for the ICC World Cup qualifier to be held in Ireland in July.

"Viabhav Daga (India `A' physical trainer) is already there. Oman has a bright chance of qualifying for the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies. Five of 12 from Ireland will make it to the World Cup. It's a challenging assignment for me,'' said Patil.

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