— Photo: S. Subramanium

PROVING HIS WORTH: Irfan Pathan, sent up the batting order, came up with an excellent knock in the company of Sachin Tendulkar.

Nagpur: A straight hit thundered down the ground and the crowd roared. The pinch-hitter destructed and India prospered.

Much of cricket revolves around out-thinking the opposition; being predictable is a clear recipe for disaster. The Indians were smart in Nagpur.

If the Lankans had arrived with a game plan, they were forced to look at alternatives. The first ODI of a series often sets the tone and the Indians were spot-on strategically.

Pathan's elevation to the No. 3 slot had surprised the Sri Lankans, disrupted the rhythm of their attack. Before the visitors realised, the Tendulkar-Pathan tango had wrested the initiative.

Pathan's blitzkrieg also reopened the question — Is he the all-rounder India has been seeking all along?

The Baroda lad had promised much last season before his bowling went off the boil and his batting seemed to lose focus. There were voices that asked — "are we assessing him too early."

Ability rediscovered

Now he is stinging again. While the left-armer has rediscovered his ability to swing the ball into the right-hander, his key delivery, he was also sharper in Nagpur than he had been earlier this season. And he delighted with the bat.

More than the numbers — Pathan's 83 consumed only 70 balls — it was his confidence that grabbed attention.

When Chaminda Vaas erred in length, he pulled. When the spinners flighted, he danced down. This was good, clean hitting.

Although the super substitute rule has meant that a side without too many multi-skilled cricketers could look more balanced than it actually was, Pathan does provide the line-up with the much-needed depth.

"There is no doubt Pathan has the makings of an all-rounder," former Indian captain Ajit Wadekar told The Hindu. "He is a talented bowler, has the ability with the bat. I thought Ajit Agarkar could be an all-rounder, but he was not serious enough."

Wadekar gave coach Greg Chappell the credit for sending in Pathan at No. 3. "But I do not think he would walk in so high regularly. He might only do so only in certain situations. I think he will be a valuable batsman at No. 6."

With the willow, Pathan averages 22.43 in Tests and 24.23 in the ODIs (before the Nagpur game). But the manner in which he often gets behind the line, his compact feet movement, and the felicity with which he meets the ball indicate that, potentially, he could be worth much more.

Wait and watch

Former India opener Arun Lal believes India would have to wait a while before evaluating Pathan's batting credentials. "It always helps when a cricketer contributes in a department other than his specialist one. But let's not jump to conclusions about him being a genuine all-rounder."

Pathan is crucial in the Indian scheme of things; the left-hander could save a place in the side, lend it more balance. Former India coach John Wright stressed on his role at No. 6, the link between the top and the bottom half.

Chappell and Dravid are using this cricketer judiciously.

In the days ahead, Pathan would strive to add to his 66 Test and 64 ODI scalps. He would also be aiming to swell his tally of runs in a manner helping the team's cause.

The left-hander would surely face pace attacks that are more demanding, bat on surfaces more testing than the brownish belter at the Vidarbha Cricket Association ground. He should cope.

In Nagpur, he sizzled amidst the blaze of colour that the VCA stadium was.

India has the early momentum. So does Pathan.

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