The Hindu : Sport : An induction that was imminent

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Feb 28, 2006

Sport

Sport

An induction that was imminent

G. Viswanath

MESMERISE 'EM, MAUL 'EM: India would be expecting leg-spinner Piyush Chawla (left) to bamboozle the Englishmen and Mahendra Singh Dhoni to provide the fireworks. — Photo: S. Subramanium

Mumbai: Piyush Chawla's induction into the Indian squad has been impending since an October night in 2005 when his flighted delivery teased and tricked Sachin Tendulkar in the air and off the pitch in a Challenger Series match at Mohali. It's being reckoned as one of the memorable balls sent down in the 2005-06 domestic season.

The National selectors and coach Greg Chappell, who saw the event, had kept themselves abreast of the tyro leg spinner's progress and must be pleased that Chawla did not turn out to be another case that failed to cut the mustard.

He mesmerised batsmen in the Ranji Trophy to take 35 wickets and most significantly felt like a champion playing his part in Uttar Pradesh's maiden National championship triumph. His seven wickets in two Duleep Trophy matches gave him a tally of 42 wickets from nine first class outings at 23.57.

Proof to the perceptive

This was proof to the perceptive that this talent, proficient in the craft of wrist spin bowling, could be blooded in Test match cricket to find out if he would pass the litmus test against the English batsmen on pitches that are likely to be dry and affording turn.

He was also a big success in the junior ranks with 13 wickets at 12.23 in two Tests against the England under-19 team just above a year ago and 44 wickets at 17.11 in 25 under-19 ODIs.

Constant interaction between the junior and senior selectors resulted in his selection for the Challenger series, where, as one of the selectors confided, Chawla was under-bowled in the league matches. In the final he bowled 10 overs and captured three wickets — Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh and Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Chawla travelled with the National team for a couple of matches during the home internationals against Sri Lanka. "Chawla has been called to bowl at the nets to gain experience and for grooming as he is a bright prospect," Chappell had said before the ODI against Sri Lanka at Rajkot.

Rapid change

Things have changed rapidly for the young leg spinner since and his 13 wickets at 12 plus, including a remarkable spell against Pakistan in the ICC under-19 World Cup final, have forced the selectors to stick their neck out.

The selectors feel that like many in the past, a leg spinner stands a bright chance of meeting with success against the England batsmen.

Subhash Gupte made his debut, aged 22, against England at the Eden Gardens and took 24 wickets at 37.63 in 8 Tests while B.S. Chandrasekhar, who at 19 played his first Test against England at the Brabourne Stadium, took 95 wickets at 27.27 in 23 Tests.

Anil Kumble made his debut at 19 in Old Trafford and has taken 62 wickets so far at 30.06 in 13 Tests. Evidence of Chandu Borde and Laxman Sivaramakrishnan's success against England batsmen are also well chronicled.

The young Chawla has a chance to be among a phalanx of leg spinners who have caused the downfall of many an England batsman. On their part, India's national selectors, skipper Rahul Dravid and the public are keeping their fingers crossed.

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