Focus on Yusuf, Joginder

Joginder Sharma8217;s last over in the Twenty20 World Cup final and Yusuf Pathan8217;s six off Mohammed Asif...

Joginder Sharma8217;s last over in the Twenty20 World Cup final and Yusuf Pathan8217;s six off Mohammed Asif are still etched in memory. But they are yet to play a match for India since. The Challenger Series, beginning at the Motera on October 25, is therefore an opportunity for the all-rounders to prove their worth again.

The duo would like to grab the spotlight in the presence of selectors who will watch with an eye on picking the squad for the Pakistan tour. The case is special for the two, because, as Venkatapathy Raju, one of the selectors, says: 8220;We will look at good all-rounders.8221;

The two will have to prove themselves in international cricket, though they have excelled at the domestic level. In the limited opportunities available to them Pathan has had just one Twenty20 international, and Sharma four ODIs and an equal number of T20 ties, they haven8217;t done so much that their berths are cemented. Hence this chance.

8220;I will not let the pressure get to me. I will just try to enjoy my game and give my best shot and concentrate on bowling my outswingers effectively,8221; says Sharma.

The presence of selectors will not have any impact on Pathan either. 8220;I will do my job, the selectors will do theirs,8221; he says.

8220;An all-rounder makes a lot of difference to a team. Both Joginder and Yusuf are okay as all-rounders. But still they have to prove themselves. Please understand that there is a lot of difference between domestic cricket and international cricket,8221; says former Indian medium pacer Madan Lal.

India have been struggling to get a real all-rounder ever since Kapil Dev left and since Irfan Pathan8217;s fall from temporary grace. Irfan has done reasonably well, but the tag of an all-rounder isn8217;t fitting him any more. 8220;Irfan has to do a lot more to become a genuine all-rounder. The void left open by the departure of Kapil is far from being filled,8221; says Lal.

Story continues below this ad

8220;I know an all-rounder plays an important role. And I would like to live up to that reputation,8221; says Sharma. 8220;I will work hard on my bowling, fielding and batting. That8217;s what the team would need from me,8221; says Yusuf.