‘Mature’ Bhandari hopes to seize the moment

Till a couple of years ago, every time an Indian team was announced for a home or away series, Amit Bhandari would sink into depression. His...

Till a couple of years ago, every time an Indian team was announced for a home or away series, Amit Bhandari would sink into depression. His name, invariably, was not on the list.

‘‘Why haven’t they picked me? I have taken so many wickets in domestic cricket. What else do I need to do to get selected?,’’ the Delhi medium-pacer would often ask, seeking an explanation for his omission. It needed much patient talking to explanation to convince the cricketer that he should bide his time.

Now, his time has come. For the second time this year, the selectors have turned to Bhandari to replace an speedster. In January, he flown Down Under when Zaheer ricked his back. He’s now being sent across the border to replace his state-mate Ashish Nehra.

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Some good performances for the India A team during their tour of England last summer, when he emerged as the top wicket-taker (16 wickets, including 6-38 vs Glamorgan and 5-54 vs Surrey) and impressive spells in the Kenstar Asia A team tournament in Kolkata in December last convinced the 26-year-old — and, apparently, the selectors — that he could not be ignored for long.

‘‘My self-confidence got a boost during India’s match against Zimbabwe in the tri-series in Australia in February this year, when I claimed 3-31 from eight overs. I am more mature now,’’ Bhandari said this morning.

Bowling to Pakistani batsmen will be nothing new for the Delhi pacer. As a member of the India team (along with Sehwag and Harbhajan) that played in the Youth Cup in South Africa in 1997-98, Bhandari had 5-43 against Pakistan and came in for much praise from coach K Srikkanth.

Ironically, it was against Pakistan that Bhandari made his international debut in the Asia Cup in Dhaka in 2000. Although he claimed two wickets, Bhandari conceded 75 runs in 10 overs and was forgotten thereafter.

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‘‘It was my first international match. The Dhaka wicket wasn’t too helpful. But I am more mature now, having toured with A teams and having bowled to some top-class batsmen. As a youngster, I was relying more on pace. Now I have realised the importance of line and length. To survive and be successful at the highest level, one has to be disciplined,’’ Bhandari, who idolises Glenn McGrath for the Australian’s ability to maintain a line, said.

‘‘I was expecting a call when the team for one-dayers were announced. When I found my name missing this time, I wasn’t too disappointed because I knew my turn would surely come sooner than later,’’ Bhandari said.

‘‘I have been following the India-Pakistan ODI series with keen interest. Although both sides have been scoring heavily, I feel there is something for the bowlers as well. Wickets there aren’t too different from what we encounter here. I have really worked very hard in the last two years. If given a chance, I will try to maintain a steady line and length to contain the Pakistani batsmen,’’ Bhandari said.