'Irfan must play'

MiD DAY March 8, 2007

By: Suhrid Barua

BANGALORE: The Indian bowling attack has been touted as one of the most balanced attacks ever to go into a World Cup. The five-pronged seam attack Zaheer Khan, Munaf Patel, Shanthakumaran Sreesanth, Ajit Agarkar and Irfan Pathan along with the two tweakers Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh has what it takes to do the containment as well as the wicket-taking job at the showpiece event. DebateBut the debate has started on whether the team’s think-tank should play three seamers and two spinners or take the field with four bowlers to accommodate a seventh batsman. Former India all-rounder and member of the triumphant 1983 World Cup side, Madan Lal, who picked up the important wicket of the dangerous Vivian Richards, feels India must field five bowlers in the mega event. “Our strength lies in playing five bowlers. Our best bet would be to go in with three seamers and two spinners,” he said.The 56-year-old former coach believes the team management must look at playing three seamers at all times. “I don’t think it would be wise to play two seamers and two spinners. If one of the seamers gets carted around, we must have another seamer as cover,” he pointed out. StressedMadan stressed on the inclusion of left-arm seamer Irfan Pathan in the eleven. Pathan looked impressive in the warm-up opener against The Netherlands finishing with one for 12 off his six overs.“My three would be Zaheer (Khan), Irfan (Pathan) while the third seamer could be a toss-up between Munaf and Sreesanth. Irfan must play because he lends balance to the side.I know there is a lot of talk surrounding his form and fitness, but you must remember that if a guy like Irfan concedes 45 or 50 runs off his allotted 10 overs, and pitches in with a handy 40 or 50, the side will benefit immensely.”The former India all-rounder was also categorical about playing two spinners. “Tracks in the West Indies no longer have the trampoline like bounce and have slowed down considerably over the years. Anil and Harbhajan are seasoned guys and would come handy on those wickets,” he opined.