Unfortunately no team can afford the luxury of two wicket-keepers in side: Farokh Engineer

Farokh Engineer

MUMBAI: Former India wicket-keeper Farokh Engineer believes that it will be a sad moment for Parthiv Patel to vacate his slot once Dhoni recovers.

Team India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has suffered back spasm (he didn’t participate in net practice on Monday and Tuesday it is felt that he may have developed this problem in a gym or during the pool session) and as a backup, Parthiv has been recalled.

Speaking exclusively over his mobile from England, the 78-year-old Engineer says, “it will be a very interesting situation if Parthiv grabs this opportunity and performs exceedingly well in the Asia Cup but then again he will have to vacate his place from the team for Dhoni”.

“The game of cricket has 4-5 bowlers, all-rounders and 4-5 batsmen but unfortunately no team can afford to have luxury of two specialist wicket-keepers”.

“Parthiv is a good wicket-keeper, a decent boy. I like his attitude. But he has to improve his batting to cement his place in the side”.

“If the other wicket-keeper is really very outstanding then only he can be there in the side with the captain”, Engineer added.

For the record, Team India has played two wicket-keepers in the final eleven in number of matches.

“Dinesh Karthik and MS Dhoni have played 63 international matches (Tests, ODIs’ and T20s’) together”, informs Bharath Seervi, the cricket statistician at ESPN cricinfo.

“Budhi Kundran and Farokh Engineer, the two specialist wicket-keepers played three Tests together”, the statistician added further.

“This is Parthiv Patel’s second come back in the side and obviously we hope he fulfills the faith of the selectors”, Parthiv Patel’s uncle, Jagat Patel, speaking exclusively over telephone from Ahmadabad said.

“Parthiv’s performance in domestic matches during last year is exceptionally good and we always had anticipated his recall as a backup player”.

“Parthiv called up from Mumbai and endorsed the news. We all are delighted. Parthiv’s mom (Nisha ben) has gone to temple not because our son’s recall in the team but it has been her routine visit to the temple”, the father added.

“Parthiv was in Navi Mumbai to play corporate matches for Reliance at D. Y. Patil Stadium. He heard the news during the match and called us in the interval. He left for Bangladesh and reached there on Tuesday”, the father added.

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