Kartik looks certain to revive the past

The inclusion of 24-year-old Murali Kartik in the Board President's XI to play the South African tourists was along expected lines. The Railways bowler has been amongst the wickets for the past couple of seasons and the selectors have rewarded him. His performances over the years have been of a high order and he needs to be capped for India in the coming series for he looks to be the answer to the lack of quality left arm spinners.

In the two Ranji Trophy games he has played for Railways this season, the Chennai-born Kartik has picked 16 wickets at a meagre average of 9.12. He has been impressive in all the games he has played so far be it the longer version - Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy or the shorter version - Deodhar trophy, Wills Trophy, Challenger Trophy.

The young left-arm spinner's repertoire is impressive and he looks certain to bring memories of the glorious era of spin bowling in India. Most of the left arm spinners who have been capped for India of late have lacked perseverance and the ability to beat the bat either of the turf or in the air. Kartik, who has a smooth action, has this quality. He has been a regular wicket-taker for the past three seasons since his dream debut for Railways where he took a hat-trick.

Kartik first represented Chennai in the u-13 tourney and later shifted to Delhi before moving to represent Railways. He came into the reckoning during the u-19 series against South Africa in 1995-96 and while playing for India A against South Africa the following season and since then there has been no looking back. The South-African u-19 team coach Stephen Jones was all praise for the spinner and predicted a bright future for the lad. He has made steady progress and is now on the verge of earning national recognition.