The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : ‘Give people break at the right time’

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Sep 01, 2007
ePaper

Sport

Sport - Cricket

‘Give people break at the right time’

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: S. Badrinath, the Tamil Nadu captain, has been on the fringe of national selection for a year now, having figured among the 30 Indian probables for the Champions Trophy announced in August last year.

A consistent run for India ‘A’, which has included impressive knocks against Shaun Tait, Mitchell Johnson, Shane Watson, Chris Martin and Jeetan Patel in the Top End series in Australia and remorseless run-making, recently, in Zimbabwe and Kenya, has kept him in the reckoning for higher honours.

The forthcoming series against South Africa ‘A’ will allow Badrinath, who turned 27 on Thursday, the opportunity to strengthen his case.

Dilip Vengsarkar, chairman of selectors, guarded against singling Badrinath out, but said, “I think he has been very consistent, and the series (against South Africa ‘A’) will be a good chance for him and the others. It (the A-tour concept) is the best way to look for talent that can play at the international level.”

Fine fielder

Badrinath didn’t make the shortlist for the Champions Trophy last year – not unexpectedly, for, despite being a fine fielder and revealing an ability to open up and play strokes off either foot either side of the wicket, he is seen as a batsman for the longer version.

The perception, based on his days of determined grafting, coloured the decision not to pick him for the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup.

Badrinath’s three successive centuries on the tour of Zimbabwe and Kenya impressed Chandrakant Pandit, his India ‘A’ coach.

“He batted outstandingly well in the three and four-day version,” said Pandit. “He certainly has the ability to bat for long periods, and play long innings.”

Did Pandit think Badrinath had the attributes required for the highest level?

“Yes, definitely. If he can maintain the consistency of run-making he showed on the tour, the national selectors will definitely be keeping an eye on him.”

Highest average

Though the right-hander didn’t replicate the success of the 2005-06 Ranji season, when he had the highest average for anyone playing 10 innings or more, he made runs at crucial junctures in the 2006-07 season.

The century in the season-opener against Delhi — watched by Vengsarkar — and the 89 against Baroda in the backdrop of the threat of relegation further confirmed his ability to handle pressure.

W.V. Raman, the Tamil Nadu coach, said, “It’s very simple. If they (the national selectors) don’t give him the break now, when will they do it? He has put up the performances needed. It’s up to the selectors to take note and give people the break at the right time.

“We’ve seen cricketers included on the basis of one-and-a-half knocks, whereas Badri has been a consistent performer in different conditions.”

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail