‘India will solve spin problems by setting priorities right’

And India will continue to pay,if they don’t set their priorities right,according to Bhagwath Chandrasekhar — one of the greatest leg-spinners the world has ever seen. “This is because of the fact that the players are finding it difficult to set their priorities right. With the ever-increasing popularity of limited-overs cricket,bowlers are in a dilemma on whether to focus on becoming a strike bowler or to be restrictive. The bottom line is that we are getting bits and pieces cricketers at the expense of quality,” Chandrasekhar said,speaking to The Indian Express.

But according to the man with 242 Test wickets,India isn’t the only team in the world to face this crisis. “World cricket is facing it,” says Chandrasekhar. “Just look at Australia,West Indies and other teams,and there is a dearth of quality young bowlers. Even Sri Lanka are struggling to find a replacement for Muralitharan. Everyone has got to get their priorities right.”

Hope comes in the strangest ways,and Chandra — as he was known to his colleagues — pins his on the extremely inconsistent practitioner of his art,Piyush Chawla. “From whatever I have seen,I think Chawla could make a mark at the top level. Those in charge of Indian cricket should find out why he hasn’t performed to his potential yet. A young bowler,especially a leg-spinner,needs confidence,constant attention and a longer rope,” explains Chandra.

Ordinary performances

Although Chawla now owns a World Cup medal,he wasn’t the best Indian cricketer during the campaign. A couple of very ordinary performances saw him get the sack,and Chawla didn’t find a place to either the West Indies or England. But Chandra feels that with age on his side,there is still much hope for the spinner. “I hope he works harder and makes a comeback. He is still young. We should definitely keep an eye on him.”

While it remains to be seen if Chawla can first impress the selectors and then manage to seal his place in the side,Chandrasekhar believes that until Test cricket becomes the most important format in the game,world cricket is not going to produce another Shane Warne,Muttiah Muralitharan or Kumble.

“Test cricket still was the top priority when they grew up. They always wanted to be good Test bowlers and they have confidence in their abilities,” said Chandra. “If you are good enough for Test cricket,then you are good enough for any format. But time has changed and we are not going to get another Warne or Kumble till these youngsters set their priorities right.”