From Behind The Wickets

Mahendra Singh Dhoni has taken Indian cricket by such a storm that it has become difficult to think of any other Indian wicketkeeper-batsman. So when Parthiv Patel, notorious for his poor work with the big gloves, gets picked up for India's forthcoming tour to Pakistan, as a back-up for the Ranchi rocker, the news comes as a surprize. In this context, it is all the more heartening to see that the good work of some other former India stumpards are achieving media space. It is unfortunate that after Nayan Mongia, none of the wicketkeepers like Mannava Sri Kanth Prasad, Sameer Dighe, Deep Dasgupta, Ajay Ratra have been reliable behind the stumps on a regular basis. Parthiv Patel impressed one and all with his simple effective bating, but was a big let-down behind the stumps. Dinesh Kaarthick, showed promise both behind and in front of the wickets, but naturally had to give way to the dasher called Dhoni. Rahul Dravid, in the meantime, true to his reputation of being a dedicated cricketer par excellence, excelled behind the stumps as well. India however, is still on the look out for a 'keeper who can weather the storm of Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh on a consistent basis.