Wiser after the events, comeback kids cleverer

The right-handed opening batsman looks a certainty after blasting his way to 854 runs in seven Ranji matches so far. To top that, he has a strike rate touching 82 — an average of 65.69 — with four centuries and three half-centuries.

“I am beginning to understand my game much better,” was Uthappa’s immediate reaction when asked about the amazing run glut. “After coming back from playing for India, there were a lot of things I began to look into and gradually learnt what I needed to do,” he says.

For Utthappa, the return has been more or less been a classic case of analysing his game “at different levels,” he said after the Rajkot game. “Experience teaches you a lot,” he says and he’s earned his share of experience by being part of the Indian team for a short but educating period of three months. He’s taken tips from VVS Laxman on how to stay for long hours at the crease, taken Justin Langer’s advice to learn how to build up an innings and so on.

Sharma, on the other hand, is simply looking to continue his rich form when the opportunity comes his way. While his 39 wickets this season promise a fresh air, his past stint with the Indian team brings back only the horrors of losing to Bangladesh in Dhaka. “That’s something I would like to forget. I’m much fitter now and bowling well,” he signs off with confidence restored along with bagful of wickets.

Looking at how fast bowlers have been crumbling fast and too frequently, Sharma has laid a lot of emphasis on his fitness. “Considering the amount of pressure involved, fitness is the key to success,” he says.

But the luck factor also matters. With Irfan Pathan not in Team India’s current scheme of things, there is a possibility of the Haryana lad making it to the eleven. Whatever the team combination, both comeback kids are definitely wiser now, especially after their brief sojourn with Team India.