Tags:
Journalism of Courage
MUMBAI, March 28: 8220;Ajit Agarkar is the answer to India8217;s search for a gutsy all-rounder. He bowled with a lot of aggression on this tour and batted superbly when the chips were down. He has tremendous talent and the right temperament to succeed at the highest Test level,8221; were the India A coach Krishnamachari Srikkanth8217;s views on the Mumbai all-rounder after his team returned successful from Pakistan with a 1-0 verdict in the rain-marred cricketTest8217; series recently.
A just reward for the 20-year-old Agarkar8217;s displays came today when the National selectors included him in the 14-member Indian squad for the triangular one-day series featuring Australia and Zimbabwe.
Agarkar was a bundle of joy while reacting to his selection. 8220;I had a good tour of Pakistan and now it is up to me to prove myself at the highest level,8221; he opined while speaking to The Indian Express this evening.
Agarkar had played a lead role in India A8217;s triumph in the Test8217; series claiming 16 wickets that included two five-wickethauls. Generating ferocious pace, he captured nine wickets 6-72 amp; 3-62 to script India8217;s success in the only Test8217; that lasted the full distance.
Pitted against the likes of Pakistan Test discards Salim Elahi, Shahid Afridi, Basit Ali and Hasan Raza, Agarkar stole a march over his famed opponent 8212; the Pakistan A captain Aaquib Javed 8212; with his exploits.
Besides, he underlined his all-round skills by cracking an unbeaten 109 135b, 15215;4 against Peshawar Association XI in a practice match.
Though Agarkar revelled in the longer version of the game, he has also made a mark in overs-limited matches too. The best player award during the season8217;s Challenger Series staged at the Wanhede Stadium in October being a case in point. In an event dominated by spinners, Agarkar took ten wickets in three matches to bag the individual honours.
Agarkar pointed out to a 8220;good rythm8221; in his bowling coupled with an extra effort in the batting department as some of the recipes for his recent highs.Former Test starDilip Vengsarkar, welcoming Agarkar8217;s inclusion, observed: 8220;It was high time Ajit and Vinod Kambli were selected. In fact, I would have been suprised if both were not to figure in the squad.8221;
