Hoping for happy homecoming

Parthiv Patel will be aiming to turn things around in his first ODI in Ahmedabad

On any other day,Parthiv Patel would have discreetly checked out of the Sardar Vallabhai Patel Airport without much fuss. Though still very popular in his hometown,the diminutive wicket-keeper wouldnt have had to contend with too many fans bothering him for autographs or photographs on most Saturday afternoons.

But here,on this particular Saturday,Parthiv arrived in Ahmedabad as a member of Team India. And it was only inevitable that he would be smothered just like the rest of his teammates by almost everyone present in the airport,and the hundreds awaiting his and the Indian teams arrival outside the terminal.

While some of his colleagues basked in the adoration,Parthiv could be excused for feeling a tad sheepish. Its been a tough two months or so for the 26-year-old veteran,especially with the bat,in international cricket. A quick,customary visit to his home wasnt really a part of his plans this time; instead,an extra stint at the nets in Motera,his home ground,beckoned.

Over the next two days,the home boy will also have a number of off-field distractions to deal with,not to mention requests for passes and tickets a bugbear for most cricketers prior to international matches in their backyard. But its exorcising the many demons and doubts lingering in his mind presently that will be foremost in Parthivs agenda going into the third ODI of the current series.

This will be his first 50-over contest in Ahmedabad,having previously played a Test match here against New Zealand back in 2003,where he remained unbeaten in both innings,totalling 34 runs. Parthiv will definitely be looking for,and will indeed require a more substantial score,as he turns up at home for the first time in a blue jersey.

A letdown

With just 14 runs so far in the series in two outings,Parthiv has been a letdown for the hosts,despite their 2-0 lead. And his place would have been in serious jeopardy if he wasnt the lone wicket-keeper in the camp. Parthiv made a remarkable return to the ODI fold after a six-year hiatus around the same time last year against New Zealand,averaging 109 in two matches. He has produced only occasional fireworks at the top of the order in the West Indies and in England post the World Cup,and averages just 15.8 in 10 innings since his sparkling 95 at Chester-le-Street.

Now,the still baby-faced left-hander finds himself at a crossroads. The selectors are set to pick the team for the final two ODIs after the Ahmedabad game,and the pressure is on Parthiv to perform.

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He will be under a lot of pressure because a lot will be expected from him. And being the local boy,it is only more natural for him to be even more nervous, says Anshuman Gaekwad,who has seen Parthiv from close quarters since his junior days.

With the middle order packed with immense talent,the openers slot is the only one Parthiv can realistically vie for. In fact,the Virender Sehwag-Gautam Gambhir combo has been broken up to accommodate Parthiv at the top of the order. It has also meant that consistent Mumbai batsman Ajinkya Rahane has had to miss out.

Skipper Sehwag did hint after the second ODI at Vishakhapatnam that Parthiv may not be afforded that luxury for too long and could be bunted down the order to No.3,with Gambhir being promoted back to the top.

We will think about it but right now we are not worried about Parthiv because it happens with the opener when you come to bat after 50 overs of wicket-keeping. But he has to learn,and has to be consistent with his performance. Still he is a young lad,and I expect him to do well again, Sehwag had said.

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Parthivs dismissals so far in the series have displayed the confused state of mind that hes batted himself into. Hes looked to force the pace too early in his knock,despite the presence of Sehwag at the other end. Focussing on playing out a few overs,looking to turn the strike over than going for the boundary option could well be his only way out of the rut.

He looks to be in a hurry to get those runs and it will be good if he starts to compose his innings with one and twos, adds Gaekwad.

Whatever the tactic he adopts,Parthivs immediate future might well depend on him making his homecoming a memorable one.

Days break for young stars

Ahmedabad: Keeping in mind the long tour of Australia,the BCCI gave a days break to three youngsters,namely batsmen Rohit Sharma,Ajinkya Rahane and medium pacer Varun Aaron,on Saturday. These players will be joining the Indian team on Sunday evening.

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They have been on the road and will be travelling to Australia for a Test series for the first time. So we told them to meet their parents and then join Indian team. They will be missing Sundays practice session and will join the team in the evening, a BCCI source said. The Indian team will depart for Australia after the annual BCCI awards function in Chennai on December 10. Also,bowling coach Eric Simons will accompany the senior players,who may leave before the BCCI function.