Plenty left to choose

Chavan’s four-wicket haul might not have guaranteed him a place in the XI,but it certainly would have put pressure on Abdulla,who has been in the middle of a surprisingly lean season so far. With just 13 wickets in six matches at an average over 40,recent form will suggest that Chavan should continue in his place—especially since he too has displayed the ability to contribute important runs in the lower order. And Abdulla is aware of the predicament he finds himself in along with being desperate to turn his season around,quite literally.

“It’s not easy to be consistent. Before the beginning of the season,I had done well in the IPL and was the best bowler for India A in the Emerging Players Tournament in Australia. I thought my form will carry forward from there but it unfortunately hasn’t been so,” says the 22-year-old Abdulla.

Time to pull up his socks

The youngster has bowled 179.2 overs so far this season and not many on tracks which have posed too many questions to batsmen. Twice at the Brabourne Stadium,Mumbai found themselves in a position to chase more than 500- plus targets. And Rajkot as always proved to be extremely unforgiving for the bowlers. But with Chavan creeping up on him and emerging as a serious threat to his spot in the team—one which it seemed he had cemented—Abdulla knows that the time to pull up his socks and put in a strong performance is now.

Having played in only five first-class matches in three years,Chavan,meanwhile,is aware of the stringent competition for places in the Mumbai team. And insists on being desperate to make the most of whatever chances come his way.

“It’s tough to make it to the Mumbai team and even tougher to stay there for long because of so many others vying for the same spot in line-up. I have to grab every opportunity that comes my way,” says the 26-year-old Chavan.

Going in with three spinners

So which way will the selectors go come January 2? Being the leading wicket-taker for his team this season with 25 scalps,Powar,will definitely continue as the frontline spinner. Abdulla is most likely to regain his spot. Coach Sulakshan Kulkarni,however,isn’t yet ruling out the possibility of going in with three spinners.

“It’s a great position to be in for us as a team. There are two very talented left-arm spinners competing for the same spot. It is healthy competition and does wonders for the side. But it also offers us a great option of playing all three spinners if there is a pitch with any significant turn on it,” he says.

Despite Chavan’s notable outing against Punjab,Kulkarni still has a lot of trust in Abdulla’s ability and is confident of him bouncing back this season.

“Iqbal has done so well for us over the last few years. He is still our leading left-arm spinner,and any cricketer can go through a rough phase,and especially the good ones like Iqbal always bounce back stronger,” the Mumbai coach adds. Abdulla too is confident of regaining his lost wicket-taking form,and missing out on the knockout stages is definitely not in his plans.

“I’m hopeful and I think my best is just around the corner. As a spinner,every ball you bowl brings a new challenge. You have to be ready for it and just be patient,” he says.