Pawar gets his moves all right with shift to Baroda

Pawar, who switched over to Baroda in 2002-03 after making his first-class debut for Mumbai in 1996-97, was at his residence when he received the news of his selection, reports Amol Karhadkar.

Mumbai's Ajit Agarkar was dropped, Sachin Tendulkar rested for the ODIs and Rohit Sharma failed to make the cut in India's squad for the Bangladesh tour announced here on Friday. Still, there was a reason to smile for a Mumbaikar, thanks to the selection of left-arm spinner Rajesh Pawar in the squad for the two-Test series.

HT Image

Pawar, who switched over to Baroda in 2002-03 after making his first-class debut for Mumbai in 1996-97, was at his residence when he received the news of his selection.

"I was sitting at home when Sunil More (Mumbai Cricket Association's managing committee member) called me," Pawar told HT. "Obviously I was elated, but I was also relieved," added the 27-year-old.

Pawar, who was among the 30 probables named for the World Cup, ended the Ranji Trophy season as the most successful spinner with 44 wickets from eight matches. And he was expecting richer rewards for his consistent performance.

"To be honest, I was expecting it (the selection)," he said. "I always knew that if I keep performing consistently, the rewards will come. And I will keep on doing that forever."