Pandit backs Mongia's comeback claim

Chandrakant Pandit was a tenacious wicketkeeper who served India in five Test matches and 36 Limited Overs Internationals.

But in the five Tests that Pandit played, he kept wickets in only two. In the other three, he played purely as a middle-order batsman.

That was because Kiran More was first-choice 'keeper then. Pandit got very few opportunites to prove his talent in the international arena.

Now coach of the Mumbai cricket team, Pandit believes there is no reason for the Indian team to be in such a flap over the choice of wicketkeeper.

According to Pandit, Baroda's Nayan Mongia, who scored a fighting 74 in the first innings of their Ranji Trophy match against Mumbai, is India's number one wicketkeeper. "He is the best in the country and should be there in the side keeping wickets," he said.

Pandit does not look too kindly on the team's formula of having premier batsman Rahul Dravid keep wickets in LOIs.

"In one-day internationals specially, there is a lot of pressure on Rahul Dravid," he said. "Dravid is a very good batsman and should concentrate on his batting. He is very important member of the Indian side. The 'keeping job takes a lot out of him.

"Basically we should look for a good wicketkeeper who can also score decently."

On teenage Test glovesman Parthiv Patel, who performed creditably on India's tour of England last year, but has come in for some flak for his poor showing behind the stumps in the Tests against New Zealand last month, Pandit said, "Parthiv is talented, but it is important to first see whether he fits into the team."

Also Read I hope justice will be done: Mongia

About Haryana's Ajay Ratra, who kept wickets on the tour of the West Indies last year and also in England before getting injured, Pandit said he is a good 'keeper who can also contribute with the bat. "He should get more chances to prove his talent," he said.

Among Mongia, Patel and Ratra, the Haryana lad is the only one to have scored a century outside India. He scored an unbeaten 115 in the fourth Test against the West Indies at St John's, Antigua, in May 2002. Cynics may say that Antigua was a flat track, but then Sachin Tendulkar was out first ball to Pedro Collins on that same wicket.

Photograph: Getty Images