Comeback for Siva? (29 September 1998)

29 September 1998

Comeback for Siva?

By Gulu Ezekiel

The latest twist in the amazing roller-coaster life and times of leg-spinner Laxman Sivaramkrishnan may just be unfolding.

The frail looking leg-spinner who had some of the best batsmen in the world at sixes and sevens in the mid-80s has just been given a shock recall to first-class cricket. Siva or LS as he is known as in his home-town of Madras, has just been chosen to represent the Rest of India side in their Irani Trophy match against Ranji Trophy champions Karnataka. The match, the traditional lung-opener to the Indian season, will be staged in Bangalore, capital of Karnataka state, from October 1 to 5.

The recall of Siva has thrust not only the bowler but also the newlyappointed selection committee into the spotlight. The committee is headed by Ajit Wadekar who led India with much success from 1971 to 1974. It is an obvious gamble and is based on inputs from some of the nation's top batsmen during the conditioning camp for the 22 World Cup probables which was held earlier this month in Madras, now Chennai.

"He bowled to Sachin Tendulkar, Mohammed Azharuddin and the other players at the camp at Chennai and they were impressed with his bowling. Even Bobby Simpson (the Indian team's consultant) felt the same. He has been among wickets in club-level tournaments and we would like to see him in match and pressure situations," said Wadekar. "We would like to see him in a bowling line up which has Javagal Srinath and Ajit Agarkar."

Sivarmakrishnan has played just seven matches for Tamil Nadu between 1989-90 and 1997-98 and taken just 10 wickets. He was not even considered for selection for four of the seasons between that. Now the Baroda Cricket Association, persuaded by Indian coach Anshuman Gaekwad (who is from Baroda) have invited him to play in this season's Ranjit Trophy and the 32-year-old has agreed.

Sivaramkrishnan was the youngest Indian cricketer (since eclipsed by Sachin Tendulkar) when he made his debut in the fifth Test against the West Indies in 1983. The next year was a sensational one for him as he took six wickets in both innings of the first Test at Bombay against David Gower's England touring squad. He also took six wickets in the first innings of the next Test but faded away after the English batsmen, led by Mike Gatting, learnt to read him and began using their feet against his bowling.

Siva caused a sensation again the next year in the Benson and Hedges World Championship of Cricket in Australia, a tournament which India won. Siva proved for the first time that spinners could be successful in one-day matches and ended up as India's top bowler.

The decline in form and personal fortunes began after that. He made sporadic appearances for the country and his regional side, but seemed a pale shadow of his former self. He was last seen in India colours during the 1987 Reliance World Cup where he failed to make an impact.

Now he has been given a chance once again out of the blue to force his way back into the limelight. If spinners mature in their 30s, then the world may yet see the best of Siva.

From: CricInfo365 (www.cricinfo365.com)

Source :: CricInfo