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Srinath looks for a Sahara comeback

Javagal Srinath has his sights set on a comeback to the Indian team in time for the Sahara Cup showdown between India and Pakistan in September.

However, he is also realistic enough to figure that perhaps, the BCCI has its own agenda in the matter.

"The Board will handle the question of my selection of the Sahara Cup squad," the Indian speed merchant told the media at the M A Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore, where he was engaged in a full workout for the fourth day on the run.

Till Saturday, Srinath's regimen consisted of physical training, followed by his physiotheraply exercises designed to speed recovery of his right shoulder following the surgery he had undergone to correct the rotary cuff tear. Beginning Saturday, the Indian pace ace began bowling in the nets, for the first time after his shoulder finally gave way at the beginning of the Indian tour of the West Indies earlier this year.

"No, there is no change in my bowling action because of the injury, I am able to bowl the same way I did before," Srinath told the media.

Srinath informed the media that he had officially informed BCCI secretary J Y Lele that he was fully recovered and back in the nets. "I will however decide on whether to make myself available for selection only after I play for my new employers, Indian Airlines, in the KSCA diamond jubilee tournament in the first week of September," Srinath said.

That tournament will be his - and, indeed, the cricket establishment's - first opportunity to assess his form and fitness following his injury.

When it was pointed out to Srinath that the Sahara Cup team would be picked later this month, Srinath said that he had already indicated the position to Lele.

The Indian speed merchant, due to turn 28 in 12 days from now, said he was happy with the rate of recovery following his injury and subsequent operation. "The progress is satisfactory, but I have not stretched myself 100 per cent," Srinath said.

Interestingly, chairman of selectors Ramakant Desai had, during the Asia Cup camp in Bangalore last month, indicated that a mere fitness certificate from Srinath would not guarantee him selection to the squad. "He has been out of action for some time now, so we will need to see him play in a few domestic games before we can decide whether or not he is fit for selection. Basically, Srinath now has to fight for his place in the side," Desai had on that occasion told Rediff.

Given that the Indian bowling attack has been increasingly exposed as mediocre, it is doubtful, however, whether Desai and his fellow selectors will be able to maintain that mindset. The thinking could be that even a half fit Srinath is streets ahead of his contemporaries - therefore, the minute the pace ace indicates his availability, the pressure on the selection committee to include him in the lineup should begin to mount.