Cricket fans will always remember Parthiv Patel as the baby-faced wicketkeeper who made his debut aged just 17, in the second Test against England at Trent Bridge in 2002. His his gutsy batting in his debut Test and impressive showing with the gloves made many believe that he had the ability to serve for a long time. However, in a couple of years, his wicketkeeping skills dwindled, resulting in some even branding him 'goalkeeper'.
He was dropped from the Indian team in 2004, but returned for the tour of Pakistan in 2006, only to be dropped again without being given a single opportunity. And just when it seemed it was all over for him, Patel stormed back into the scene with a string of impressive performances on the domestic circuit.
The 2006-07 season signalled the turnaround for him as he finally started making telling contributions with the bat. The 23-year-old followed it up with another successful stint in 2007-08 and emerged the top scorer in the Ranji Trophy Plate Division with a tally of 615 runs in seven matches, which also helped his team, Gujarat, win the title. Then came the Indian Premier League, where he announced himself on the world stage, scoring 300 runs in 13 matches for the Chennai Super Kings.
The Gujarat wicketkeeper speaks with Special Correspondent Harish Kotian about his comeback to the Indian team for the Sri Lanka tour.
You are back in the Indian Test squad after nearly four years, though you were selected for the tour of Pakistan in 2006 but did not play. How does it feel to be back?
It feels good to be back in the Indian Test squad, because I have performed consistently for the last few years. The selection is just reward for it. I had a very good season in domestic cricket this year and last year, so I am quite delighted that I am back in the Indian team now.
Were you expecting to be selected for the Sri Lanka tour?
I was not 100 percent sure, but I was definitely expecting a call. I had such a good season and knew that sometime soon I would definitely get a chance to play for India again.
So are you ready for Test cricket, if given a chance in Sri Lanka. What makes you so confident?
Obviously, coming after such a good season in domestic cricket you definitely feel confident in your abilities to perform at a higher level too. I am looking forward to playing for India again whenever I get the chance.
What was the secret behind your successful run in domestic cricket the last few seasons?
Performances matter at whatever level you play, so I was just trying to ensure that I performed well whenever I played. I worked hard on my batting after I was dropped from the Indian team, and was quite sure that my hard work would pay off some day. And, importantly, I was just keeping it simple and trying to enjoy my game. As the runs, my confidence also increased. That was also evident in the IPL.
How difficult is it for wicketkeepers in places like Sri Lanka, where the ball stays low and slow, and spinners operate for most part?
Yes, it is difficult for wicketkeepers wherever you play in the subcontinent. But I am sure that both wicketkeepers, me and Dinesh [Karthik], are ready for the job in the Test series. Whoever gets the chance will definitely perform well.
Who is the most difficult bowler you have kept wickets against?
Harbhajan Singh and Anil Kumble are the most difficult bowlers to keep wickets against because they have so many variations. But, if you play at the highest level, you have to do well against all bowlers in all conditions.
Both are very consistent with their bowling and extract good bounce from the pitch. They rarely give loose deliveries and batting against them also difficult.
What do you think went wrong in 2004 that you were dropped from the team?
The main reason was that I was not 'keeping well. There was no other problem, because I was batting well then. But I identified the problem areas after I was dropped, worked hard on it and, I think, I have become a good wicketkeeper now.
I have realised that when you are batting well, you should focus only on batting and when you are keeping wickets, you should concentrate 100 percent on your wicketkeeping.
I am just looking for an opportunity during the Sri Lanka tour. I am sure that if I get it I will do well.
You played with M S Dhoni for the Chennai Super Kings. Did you feel any pressure playing under a wicketkeeper who is also your rival in the Indian team?
It was good playing under Dhoni because he is a good leader and motivates the team. It was a good experience playing under him; I really enjoyed playing the IPL under his captaincy.
