Hardwork pays off for Sanghvi, Hirwani

By Vijay Lokapally

NEW DELHI, FEB 21. Backed by one man, Rahul Sanghvi, unsung and almost forgotten, bounced back into the reckoning through sheer hard work.

Backed by none, Narendra Hirwani, again unsung and nearly forgotten, made a big impression at the camp in Chennai and in a matter of four days convinced those who matter that he was indeed the ideal replacement for an injured Anil Kumble. Winning a recall to the Indian team was Sanghvi's way of paying tribute to his spin guru, Bishan Singh Bedi, one of the acknowledged all- time greats. For Hirwani, it was ``God's grace'' and of course the good wishes of his friends and relatives.

``Read this book. You will learn a lot and improve'' Bedi had remarked as he presented Sanghvi with a well-researched work by an Englishman. The book, titled `The Spinner's Turn' and authored by Patrick Murphy, may nor may not have enhanced the Delhi left- arm spinner's range but Bedi's words of wisdom have sure worked wonders.

``To me, Bedi Sir's presence is inspiring and his words gospel of spin. I owe all my cricketing achievements to his encouragement and the interest he has shown in my progress and this comeback is what makes him such a wonderful being'' Sanghvi said of his mentor.

At the Ferozeshah Kotla last month, Selection Committee chairman Chandu Borde whispered to Hirwani ``I have come to watch you.'' Hirwani, however, sat out the match due to a calf-muscle injury and Borde left with mixed feelings. At Mumbai, however, the selectors obviously seem to have given credence to the views of coach John Wright and skipper Sourav Ganguly and the Indore-based leg-spinner was back in the big league.

Attitude. This key word played a significant role in shaping the comebacks of Sanghvi and Hirwani. ``The Duleep Trophy match against Central was the turning point'' said Sanghvi. ``This entire season I have bowled with confidence and was looking forward to some good times'' confessed Sanghvi, who last appeared for India in a one-day international in Harare against Zimbabwe in 1998. Just ten wickets in 10 one-day matches did not speak well for his talent and that was one reason why he was excited at being picked for the Mumbai Test against Australia.

``Honestly, it is a dream come true situation for me. I know I am fully fit this season after being troubled by a shin- injury last year. I knew I was bowling well and had been working very hard for this comeback'', said Sanghvi, the only bowler to have bowled his full quota in all the three matches of the Challenger Series recently.

His excellent bowling at Nagpur against Australia clinched the issue for this humble product of Delhi's Sardar Patel Vidyalaya. How did he assess his bowling of this season? Sanghvi, 26, remarked ``I thought I was more accurate, had more control on my flight and developed more variations.'' Add a smoother run-up and more bite off the pitch by using a strong shoulder and you have a near-complete left-arm spinner. And then he remembers Bedi's words before he left for Nagpur ``don't be scared of flighting the ball.''

Hirwani, speaking from Indore, began with a ``God is great'' remark and added ``I never gave up hope of bowling for India again. I am a firm believer in honesty and hard work and that is what helped me in making this comeback.''

A jovial character, Hirwani was quick to add ``I have nothing to hide. I bowled as best as I could at the camp in Chennai and was very confident. I enjoyed bowling to the best batsmen in the country and was motivated greatly when Sachin (Tendulkar) came up to me and congratulated. My direction and rhythm were just as I wanted.''

The 32-year-old Hirwani, with 66 wickets from 17 Tests, last figured in the Calcutta Test against South Africa in November, 1996. He went wicketless and understandably did not want to remember that match. ``I am looking ahead. It is not that I am suddenly bowling better. I have been the same the last so many years. Probably, this time I was watched closely and I am grateful to the National selectors for recognising my calibre.''

On his plans ahead, Hirwani said ``I want to live up to the faith reposed in me by the selectors, the coach and the captain. I have been bowling three-four hours everyday when not playing a match. I now have to deliver and lead India to victories. That is the only aim I have now. I must prove my credentials. I am far more focussed than I was in the past. I was very happy when I took 18 Test wickets on debut. But believe me there is greater joy in earning this comeback. I have never been happier'' Hirwani signed off with a promise that now he was very hungry for wickets. As was Sanghvi too.

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