Ramesh Powar’s brand of off-spin has been highly effective. The portly player, who last played for India in 2007, ended the 2008-09 season with 44 wickets at 24.45 runs per wicket to be fifth in the list of most-successful bowlers.
The 30-year-old, who was West Zone’s hero in the Duleep Trophy final with his seven wickets in the second innings, still nourishes his ambition of representing the country again. Excerpts:
On his memorable 100th first-class match:
I am ecstatic. I was disappointed after being dropped in the semi-final as I did not think it would happen after taking so many wickets in the Ranji Trophy. I had to prove myself in this match and I am happy with the 10 wickets (three in the first innings) here.
On not being the first-choice spinner as skipper Wasim Jaffer brought in Rajesh Pawar ahead of him in both innings:
The captain tends to look at the leading wicket-taker but I knew this was an ideal track for me. It was a challenge as the batsmen counter-attacked to survive. To be able to make the batsmen play and purchase wickets was the challenge.
On the decline of spin-bowling in India:
{{/usCountry}}On the decline of spin-bowling in India:
{{/usCountry}}Everyone has an opinion about spin. You have to keep performing and whenever India need a spinner, I hope the selectors will look around and think of me.
On whether he is still nurtures the hope of an India comeback:
There is no point in playing Ranji Trophy without the motivation of making a comeback to the India team. Having said that, I don’t plan too much for the future. Whenever you play, you have to come out as a champion. Towards this, it is important to be a member of a champion side.