Ishwar Pandey, another seamer in the making

When the Madhya Pradesh bowler, Ishwar Pandey got an opportunity in the practice match against NZ XI, he grabbed it with both hands and impressed many with his bowling.

Zee Media Bureau/Chaitan Papnai

Wellington: Ishwar Pandey had been selected in the Indian squad for the New Zealand tour for both the series – Test and ODI. Though even after a below par performance by most of the Indian seamers, he didn’t get a chance to prove his credentials in the five-match ODI series which India lost 4-0. But, when the Madhya Pradesh bowler got an opportunity in the practice match against NZ XI, he grabbed it with both hands and impressed many with his bowling. On day one, he scalped three wickets in his fourteen overs and leaked mere 42 runs. After waiting in the wings for the entire ODI series, he came out with all guns blazing, when he was given the ball in the 33rd over of the day. Very much like his idol Glenn McGrath, Pandey always tries to focus on his line and length. “I tried to bowl like I have done in domestic season. Whenever I bowl, my only focus is to bowl a consistent line and length, and not on taking wickets,” Pandey told PTI. It’s a result of Pandey’s consistently good performance at the domestic level, that he was given a chance for the New Zealand tour. However, according to MS Dhoni, his bowling needs a lot of improvement. “Regarding Ishwar Pandey, we thought that there is still some work needed on his bowling before he can be tried,” said Indian skipper after the fifth ODI. But after his three wicket haul, he must have impressed Dhoni, some way or the other. Though it’s a long way to go for the lanky seamer, if he gets some chance to work under the guidance of Zaheer Khan, then he undoubtedly has a good potential to serve India for a long time.