There’s life on the fringes for Team India reserves

‘‘This is one-day cricket and on a good batting track, it can happen. I wasn’t getting into rhythm and it can happen sometimes. But believe me, sitting out in the Test matches have nothing to do with it. Of course, if I’d been dropped without being informed I would have felt disappointed but I was always in the know,’’ the tall seamer, who failed to figure in any of the three Test matches against England after an impressive outing against Pakistan, said.

Life on the fringes is a delicate balance between agony and hope. RP isn’t alone though. He has company in Ramesh Powar, Gautam Gambhir, VRV Singh and Venugopala Rao. ‘‘I am waiting for my chance; I bowled well in Karachi and have been performing consistently in the domestic competition.’’

Powar has a tricky job on hand; short boundaries, tall Englishmen and then of course, Harbhajan Singh. ‘‘It’s been an honour to play alongside Harbhajan’’, he said, ‘‘but I have my own variations, so let’s see if we get to play together.”

Gambhir and Venugopala Rao have a different line. While Rao was axed for being a touch slow in the middle overs, Gambhir paid the price for playing one shot too many. Opportunity has knocked twice at their doors; this batting line-up may require their services with immediate effect and it’s up to them to deliver.

‘‘It’s about the mental make-up of the batsman. You have to learn how to keep playing your natural game and yet not get carried away. I have had two good hundreds under my belt so I am feeling good and hopefully the big scores will now start coming,” says Gambhir.

VRV is already looking ahead at the West Indies tour; he’s working hard on his fitness and, with the sudden emergence of Munaf Patel, is keeping his fingers crossed that more bowlers are given a chance.

Saturday’s match was essentially a courtesy extended to the visitors dressed up as a competitive match. And though the selectors weren’t around it didn’t detract from the seriousness in the dressing room.