Back again, Murali Kartik gets the call in TV studio

In for two ODIs against Australia replacing Powar, left-arm spinner counts his comebacks: ‘Must be 14th’

He admits his life has been full of surprises, with extreme overtones to it. He was surprised having to wander for two years and counting, to play his next Test match after the Mumbai Man of the Match performance. He was surprised at being continuously overlooked after recovering from a shoulder surgery — the sole reason for him vacating the Indian dressing room after the last tour to Pakistan in 2006. He was surprised at being one of only two guys — Ashish Nehra being the other — left out of the central contracts since the previous two-year batch while others were inducted in. And he is also “surprised” by his comeback into the Indian team for the next two one-day games against Australia.

Murali Kartik was sitting in a Mumbai studio on Friday afternoon, having just analysed India’s bowling and Australian strengths, when he was told to translate words into action. “I came to know that I have been selected for the fourth and fifth ODIs and I have to report tomorrow. I was shocked, surprised at hearing it. At first I thought it was a joke. I wasn’t expecting it; there was no suggestion from anywhere that I might be in the reckoning, but I am very happy that I am back. Certainly, it was a pleasant surprise.”

The national selection committee dropped Mumbai off-spinner Ramesh Powar from the one-day team for the next two matches in Chandigarh and Vadodara. Kartik was drafted in Powar’s place.

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“Having observed a few things about the Australians sitting in the studio, I have come to know a few things and I am mentally prepared for it, although bowling out in the centre is much tougher than speaking about it all, to be honest,” Kartik says.

The 31-year old has lost count of the number of comebacks he’s made through his 30-ODI and 8-Test match career. “It might be my 13th or 14th comeback; yes I think it’s my 14th. Maybe I might be close to a few records here,” he says in jest. Kartik has had success against the Australians. The world champions have shown their weakness in playing quality left-arm spin. His inclusion might also surface from his stint with Middlesex, for whom he picked 37 wickets at an average of 25.48, and has signed a fresh contract next season as well, becoming the third man in this Team India to have made his way through the English county circuit.

He was named Middlesex’s player of the year, and has already been signed up by Middlesex for the next season.

“I think my selection has been because of both reasons —because of good performance in the county circuit and because of performance against Australia. But as a matter of fact, when I went to England, I was just thinking of bowling well. I wasn’t really thinking of that as a stepping stone to my comeback. But it’s good the way things have panned out.” Not being around for a long while — not even in the training camps or India A squads—means Kartik doesn’t even have the latest Team Blue outfit when he joins the team in Chandigarh, and is awaiting a set of colours.

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Having played for six months in England, Kartik had plans set for his break before the start of the domestic season. But in fact, he’s got a break of a different kind. “I would any day prefer this kind of a break, and I am confident of enjoying myself there and doing well,” he concludes.

TIMELINE

• Made his debut vs Zimbabwe in Hyderabad on March 16, 2002

Figures: 8-047-0

• Last ODI played vs Pakistan in Peshawar on February 6, 2006

Figures: 9-0-64-1

Careerstats

Bowling: 30 Matches 29 Innings 1312 Runs 27 Wickets 3/36 Best Bowling

BATTING: 30 Matches 11 Innings 89 Runs 32 Highest Score 68.46 Strike Rate

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