Picked up from sidelines, JP shines

More accurately, the boundaries that came off his bowling were by Muralitharan (three) and Chandana (one). That, too, when Lanka’s fate was almost decided. In the middle overs though, JP’s was a tight spell — 40 dot balls of the 60 he delivered. JP had impressed Chappell with the bat when he stood in a record-partnership with Irfan Pathan for the ninth wicket against New Zealand in Zimbabwe last month. He had scored 69. Now his performance with the ball equally supports Chappell’s idea of utility cricketers.

JP isn’t mainly a wicket-taking bowler. It’s his economy, and batting when required by the team that has given him a place of priority in the coach’s list. Normally, in the sub-continent, it is difficult to find a medium-pacer bowling 40 dot balls in a 10-over spell. Such privileges are usually reserved for spinners. Yadav’s miserly nature is his major plus.

Despite being on the wrong side of 30, this all-rounder generates interest in Chappell, one known for his backing of youth, keeping the 2007 World Cup in mind.

JP’s breakthrough into the star-studded team was via a tough route. He was shining in domestic meets, and was picked for the two one-dayers during West Indies’ tour of India in 2002. He had barely got a chance to prove his worth, when He was sidelined for the third ODI. There was where he sat, till Chappell came along.

With over 6,000 first class runs and 200 wickets, this Bhopal cricketer deserved it. Chappell has always spoken highly of JP’s abilities. Funny, how this man was so easily forgotten by the national selectors.

Happy days, however, are finally back.