Mumbai bank on Abdullas spin

A fortnight short of 20,Iqbal Abdulla has already experienced the fickleness associated with cricket in his short career.

Fast-tracked into the Mumbai Ranji squad less than two years ago after impressive performances in junior cricket,the left-arm spinner even found a place in the Challenger Series in 2008. The step-up,though,proved too tough and Abdulla was soon dumped into oblivion,to re-establish his reputation.

It is not surprising,therefore,that performance is the one word that the 19-year-old keeps reiterating when talking about his career. And it will be the buzzword for him when the match against Himachal Pradesh begins at the BKC ground on Tuesday,on a pitch expected to take turn.

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As the defending champions get desperate for their first outright win of the season,pressure will be on Abdulla to perform as the senior spinner for the team. It is all about performance at the end of the day. You can be very talented and possess all the skills in the world but as a bowler you have to take wickets to stay in the team, says Abdulla,who starred in Indias under-19 World Cup win last year,with 10 wickets at 13 runs apiece.

Veteran Ramesh Powar may have scored a defiant century against Punjab in Mumbais season opener but the veteran injured himself in the process,leaving Abdulla to lead the spin attack. And the youngster pounced on the opportunity,picking up four crucial wickets against Orissa and almost handing his team a first innings lead,during the rain-curtailed contest at the CCI last week.

It was unfortunate to lose Ramesh at the start of the season but I was excited to get the senior role. Wasim (Jaffer) bhai was very supportive and just asked me to relax and stick to my game, explains Abdulla. Skipper Jaffer admits losing Powar is huge,considering the inexperience in Mumbais spin department,but is confident that the youngsters will rise to the challenge.

Gaining maturity

Iqbal might not possess much variety but he makes perfect use of his limited repertoire and sticks to his strengths. He is maturing with every game and has gained a lot of confidence since becoming a regular in the squad, says Jaffer. Despite the cloud cover on Monday,the skipper insists the final XI will include two spinners,which also means a first-class debut for 17-year-old Harmeet Singh.

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It was with a nine-wicket haul against Jammu and Kashmir in an under-22 match that Abdulla warmed-up for the season. It was great being named in the Ranji squad and even better to celebrate it with the best spell of my career so far, he says.

Abdulla might not be a connoisseurs delight but he admits Murali Kartiks a left-arm spinner in the classical mould influence. I watched quite a few videos of him bowling before the Orissa game and though I am not as classical as he is,I believe in sticking to my game. He also guided me at the Kolkata Knight Riders, says Abdulla.