Parthiv plan on track

The significance of Parthiv Patel8217;s century for India 8216;A8217; against Yorkshire goes beyond the team he8217;s currently playing ...

The significance of Parthiv Patel8217;s century for India 8216;A8217; against Yorkshire goes beyond the team he8217;s currently playing for; the fallout could affect Saurav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid and John Wright.

Because the 18-year-old showed he was a step closer to filling the one void in the Indian one-day team: the position of wicketkeeper-batsman.

Though he8217;d been doing okay, Dravid had made it clear that he was keen on giving up the keeping gloves. And, as Syed Kirmani has repeatedly insisted, no one can replace a specialist wicket-keeper. The strain on Dravid and risk of injury were two factors which the team management had always in mind, as they groomed the Ahmedabadi. And Parthiv is an ideal case study in the grooming of a talented young player. Such has been the faith of the decision-makers in Parthiv that at times they could even be accused of being overtly biased. The sidelining of another young 8217;keeper, Ajay Ratra, in Parthiv8217;s favour was seen in some quarters as a conspiracy.

But considering the high opinion which the coach and captain reserve for Parthiv, it was clear that nothing would change their preference for him. Though it was very clear that Dravid would be keeping the wickets during the World Cup, a common sight during the nets in South Africa was coach Wright in animated discussion with Parthiv, who8217;d gone as understudy.

And on the eve of Patel8217;s 18th birthday, which fell during the World Cup, Ganguly spoke of his captaincy potential.

In his debut Test at Headingley Parthiv, who was in the team for the injured Ratra, scored just 19. But his long stay on the wicket ensured that the match was drawn. The young boy8217;s temperament impressed his seniors and he was in their long-term plan.

Parthiv is indebted to the people who have backed him all through. At the World Cup he was asked if he8217;d received any advice from his wicket-keeping idol Adam Gilchrist, whom he met before the game against Australia. Proudly shaking off his initial image of an awe-struck kid among the stars, he replied: 8216;8216;I have great players like Tendulkar, Ganguly, Dravid and Wright teaching me, I don8217;t need to look elsewhere.8217;8217;

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Before the England A tour Parthiv was the one focus area which the national selectors had asked India A coach Sandeep Patil to concentrate on. Patil has religiously promoted him up the order over specialists batsmen like Ambati Rayudu and Rohan Gavaskar. With microscope sharply focused on him, pressure certainly was on Parthiv. And with the youngsters delivering, it just means that the array of experts were backing the right rookie, who is now showing signs of being a thoroughbred.

Sandeep Dwivedi

Sandeep Dwivedi is the Sports Editor at The Indian Express. He is one of India's most prominent sports journalists, known for his deep analytical insights and storytelling that often goes beyond scores and statistics to explore the human and cultural side of sports. Professional Profile Role: As the Sports Editor, he leads the sports coverage for the newspaper and the website. Weekly Column: He writes "The Sports Column," a weekly feature where he provides sharp, narrative-driven perspectives on the biggest sporting news of the week. Podcast: He is a frequent contributor to the "Express Sports" podcast (Game Time), where he discusses evolving trends in cricket and other international sports. Areas of Expertise While Dwivedi covers the entire sporting spectrum, his work is particularly noted in the following areas: Cricket: He provides extensive coverage of the Indian National Team and the IPL. He frequently analyzes the leadership styles of figures like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Gautam Gambhir. He is known for tracking the transition phases of Indian cricket and the evolution of specific players like Kuldeep Yadav and Rishabh Pant. Athletics & Olympic Sports: He has written extensively on Neeraj Chopra’s rise in javelin, the nuances of Indian shooting, and tennis legends like Sania Mirza and Leander Paes. Human Interest Stories: A hallmark of his writing is his focus on the struggles and backgrounds of athletes, such as the sacrifices made by Shafali Verma’s father or the "silent battles" of veteran players like Cheteshwar Pujara. Notable Recent Work & Themes Leadership and Dynamics: Recently, he has written about the dynamic between Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma, arguing that personal friendship is not a prerequisite for team success. Sports & Culture: His articles often intersect with global culture, such as his deep dive into the 100-year legacy of the Harlem Globetrotters and their role as American soft power during the Cold War. The "Grey Areas" of Sport: He often addresses sensitive topics like the mental health of cricketers post-retirement, the "outrage industry" in sports broadcasting, and the impact of fan-wars on the game. Tenure and Experience Dwivedi has been with The Indian Express for over three decades. This experience allows him to provide historical context to modern sporting events, often comparing current crises or triumphs to those of previous generations. You can follow his latest work and columns on his official Indian Express Author Profile. ... Read More