The Hindu : Das hopes to make comeback

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Aug 23, 2003

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Sport - Cricket

Das hopes to make comeback

By Our Sports Reporter

BANGALORE Aug. 22. Sunil Gavaskar's shadow can be intimidating. Ever since his last trudge back to the pavilion after an epochal 96 against Imran's Pakistan at the Chinnaswamy Stadium here in 1987, the search for openers has evoked mixed answers.

S.S. Das was considered as the perfect answer to India's opening woes but the diminutive Orissa lad failed in the West Indies and soon it was the turn of Sanjay Bangar and Virender Sehwag to don the opening duo's mantle.

However, hope never recedes and S.S. Das is looking ahead at another tryst at the top, especially after leading India `A' during its recent England tour.

"The tour was good and we never lost any matches. The tour helped me concentrate harder and I am looking forward to the Irani Trophy and other matches before the New Zealand series,'' Das told the media during the course of the Indian probables conditioning camp at the Chinnaswamy Stadium here on Friday.

Das agreed that the two-captain norm did not affect the `A' side in England. It may be recalled that Hemang Badani led the team in the one-day matches. "I think the team did well in one-dayers as well. Though I wish I too was allowed to play in the one-dayers but then it was the selectors decision and we have to abide by it,'' Das said.

Das laid low by his slump in the Caribbean, stated that he has worked on his technique. "Yes I was aware of my dismissals and I am working on it. Unfortunately after the West Indies tour I got only a few chances that too in the side games in England and with Bangar and Sehwag doing well, it made it tough for me. Hopefully this season will help me comeback,'' he said.

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