Baptism by fire in Pak for Mumbai spinner Powar

The Indian team for the one-day series in Pakistan was announced in Kolkata today. And the selectors decided to give Ramesh Powar a baptism ...

The Indian team for the one-day series in Pakistan was announced in Kolkata today. And the selectors decided to give Ramesh Powar a baptism by fire. Not only will the stocky Mumbaikar8217;s first trip with the senior India team be a nerve-wracking few weeks across the border, he is also expected to fill in, as resident off-spinner, for the injured Harbhajan Singh.

But Powar has always had a special relationship with adversity. And today, speaking to The Indian Express from Dharamshala, where he was playing Duleep Trophy for the West Zone, the 25-year-old was phlegmatic. 8216;8216;It doesn8217;t matter where and whom you play against8230;Be it Australia or Pakistan, you have to bowl well and bat well.8217;8217;

Elder brother Kiran, who initiated Ramesh into the game and shaped much of his career, says he has learnt a few things from his younger sibling. 8216;8216;His biggest asset is that he never allows the pressure to get on to him. I admire him for his attitude and confidence,8217;8217; Kiran said, reacting to his brother8217;s selection to the Indian team on Monday evening.

Orphaned at a young age, Ramesh says Kiran and elder sister Gita have been the pillar of support during good and bad times.

8216;8216;He is a quiet, normal guy. But once he sets his eyes on a target he achieves it no matter what,8217;8217; Gita said.

In fact, Ramesh8217;s career-graph is peppered with grit and gumption.

A blazing 65 not out against an Australian attack comprising Glenn McGrath, Stephen Fleming and Shane Warne set the tone three years ago.

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In the seasons that followed, Ramesh, a fully professional cricketer, was the lifeguard pulling Mumbai out of troubled waters.

No wonder then Mumbai rode on the stocky Ramesh8217;s broad shoulders in claiming the Ranji Trophy last year. He batted at Number 7 or lower, yet raked up an impressive tally of 415 at an average 46.44. He also chipped in with 20 wickets to complete an all-round domination.

And his defining moment in domestic cricket was against Saurav Ganguly8217;s Rest of India at the Irani Trophy last year: a rapid-fire 57 038; 4-61 brought him into the national consciousness.

An important tip early this season from Sachin Tendulkar changed Ramesh8217;s approach towards off-spin bowling. 8216;8216;Flight the ball, bowl slower and make the batsmen drive,8217;8217; advised Tendulkar. And 16 wickets from five Ranji matches stand testimony to Ramesh8217;s bowling skills.

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8216;8216;He has developed a very good outgoing delivery and is bowling a teasing line,8217;8217; observes Mumbai coach Chandrakant Pandit. A former Test wicketkeeper, Pandit feels Powar should spend a lot of time with the senior players. 8216;8216;He should gain the confidence of his captain with his performances.8217;8217;

Interestingly, though Powar has been chosen for the one-day team, his three- or four-day record is much better. Perhaps the passage to Pakistan could change all that.