If performances in domestic cricket were to be a stepping stone for international cricket, Sairaj Bahutule should have been a regular in the India team.
The Mumbai player is one of a rare breed in India, a leg-spinner who can turn the ball a mile, pick wickets, and also score runs aplenty when they are needed.
His first-class record speaks for itself: 391 wickets at an average of 27.28, with a strike rate of 62.3. Bahutule has also batted with distinction, scoring 3,769 runs at an average of 31.67, including six centuries and 16 half-centuries.
Last week, Bahutule returned to the limelight with a gutsy, all-round performance in the Irani Trophy match against the Rest of India in Chennai. On a pitch where top-notch batsmen like Sourav Ganguly, Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh struggled, Bahutule scored 58 and 36 runs, respectively, in his two innings.
He also led a remarkable fightback with the ball, picking up three quick wickets in the second innings and very nearly derailing the Rest, who were till then coasting to victory -- and who knows what might have happened had Rest skipper Ganguly been snapped up first ball at forward short-leg -- before eventually losing out.
Bahutule's showing in the Challenger series just a week before the Irani tie was also much better than that of his spin rivals like Harbhajan Singh, Sarandeep Singh, Murali Kartik and Amit Mishra.
Harish Kotian spoke to Bahutule as he prepares for yet another season of domestic cricket, hoping to make that one big break into the Indian side.
How discouraging was it when you were not selected for any of the tour games against New Zealand despite your good all-round performances in the Challenger Series and the Irani Trophy?
It was not discouraging because I believe in performing and trying to enjoy my game. I will try to continue the good performances and hope to make the grade some day. But right now, I am not thinking about it.
Do you think the policy of 'grooming the youngsters' has got a little too ingrained in Indian cricket, with good, talented, experienced players sometimes being ignored in favour of untested youngsters?
It's good that youngsters are getting a chance to prove their worth. But good, experienced players who are playing in domestic cricket since long should not be ignored. There are some players who have given their all to domestic cricket. The important thing lies in believing in these players and giving them an opportunity to prove themselves in international cricket.
How is your style different from that of Amit Mishra, the young Haryana leg-spinner who is being considered for the Indian team?
I just try and work at my bowling, I do not look at how the other person is doing or bowling. But I feel that our bowling actions are pretty much similar since we are both orthodox spinners.
You did not have a long run in international cricket. You played just two Test matches and seven One-Day Internationals before being axed. What went wrong?
Well, Anil Kumble has always been there performing well for India, so it's difficult for another leg-spinner to make it to the team. Unluckily, I have not been given enough opportunity to prove my true potential at the international level. It's just a question of clicking at the right time to make a mark at the international level.
Coming back to the Ranji Trophy, Mumbai is in a tough group this season with the likes of Baroda, Railways, Delhi and Punjab. How difficult will it be defending the title?
We look forward to the challenge. Last year also we had to fight through a tough group to win the trophy. We are quite confident that we will successfully defend our Ranji Trophy title this season. We have a good, balanced team and should perform well in this season also.
What are your goals for the season?
My main aim is to get back into the Indian team and perform well for a long time. My other aim is to win the Ranji Trophy this season.
