From: 9063iyerm@vms.csd.mu.edu (Murali Iyer)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.cricket
Subject: Venkatesh Prasad
Date: 5 Oct 1992 16:16:16 GMT
Organization: Marquette University - Computer Services
Reply-To: 9063iyerm@vms.csd.mu.edu
NNTP-Posting-Host: vmsa.csd.mu.edu

In article <1992Oct2.171800.24535@engage.pko.dec.com>, prasad@cpdw.enet.dec.com (R Bharani Prasad) writes:

>Sad, Maninder was'nt chosen. But, where Maninder allowed the opponents to pile 
>600 odd runs and could pick up only 3 wickets, that engineer from Karnataka 
>came up with a deadly performance. A flash in the pan, may be (sorry PVR).
>I doubt if he can repeat that at any level of cricket. I feel Maninder will be 
>in the team when the British tour India. Subrato is in the team on East Zone 
>quota. Of course, I don't know much about his recent performances. Can U throw 
>some light, Sadiq? Chetan definitely deserves another chance. Should'nt hv been 
>dropped in the first place. Real street fighter. Raju has Azhar's backing. And 
>also some performances (in domestic cricket) to support his inclusion. An
>interesting thing is, either Raman/ Jadeja will play as a regular opener. 

Agreed on all points, except that I feel you are being a bit harsh on Maninder.
It is not as if this was the only game he was being judged in. He did
remarkably well throughout the year, and was still dropped. I am sure the
reason is not only cricket, but also something like an instruction to Vishy and
Co, "Do not consider Maninder" from BCCI. In fact, it might be the latter only.
Anyone who knows how the board runs its affairs would guess that the board's
heavy-handed attitude has played a major role here. So, no point in blaming any
individuals like Vishy or the north zone selector. 

And the engineer from Karnataka is no flash in the pan, believe me. He is
definitely good, but may not be good for thirteen wickets in every match.
Neither is anyone else in the land, right now. So that is not a problem. It
might be my ignorance, but I just fail to see how Raju commands inclusion with
the wickets he has against his name. When it comes Srinath, everyone seems to
point out that he has only ten wickets in five tests, and how come he is in?
I ask, what about Raju? Did he win matches for India down under? He might be a
good containing bowler, promising to take a wicket always, but unless he
delivers, how does he become a certainty? 

>Srinath and Sanjay will be under pressure to perfrom extra-ordinarily. Amre 
>can't get in still (into the Test side). A balanced side. But a few slots will
>be up for grabs, for the series against England. (Maninder,Ankola,Kuruvilla etc)
>
>Murali, do U hv any idea of Venkatesh Prasad's recent performances? Have'nt
>heard much about him after the 1990-91 season (Ranji). He and Srinath were
>doing well then, going by the general saying "fast bowlers hunt in pairs". 
>

Venkatesh Prasad was also in the Irani Trophy fourteen, I was told. I do not
know whether he played in the eleven. He still has a bright future and most
importantly, he has kindled the selectors' interest in him. He is a well-built
young man, looks stronger than most contenders for the spot and bowls with
fire. Perhaps the home series against England will open doors for Venkatesh, 
Kuruvilla, Wassan, Razdan and all the aspiring players.

BTW, what happened to Mujibur Rehman? Was he considered at all? And Rajesh
Chauhan? 

>/Bharani

-Murali.

p.s: Hey PVR, I saw a picture of Vasu in an old issue(92) of Sportstar and he
does not look "fat and old"! In fact, he is a very wiry kind of guy, looks
like. Perhaps you were referring to someone else who looked like that. Wasn't
that guy from TN who fell down while bowling his first delivery in a test
match, a stocky guy? Whassisname? Bharat Arun?