Parvez Rasool: All-Rounder in Making

When Indian spinners were battered and bruised on turning tracks during England’s visit to India, everyone had a disbelief. Spinners like Harbhajan, Ashwin and Pragyan Ojha have failed to live up to the expectations in recent months. When the stakes are down for Indian spin attack, one man has revived the hopes with his power-packed performance against Australia in the tour match. And, he is Parvez Rasool from Jammu & Kashmir.

Rasool is not a mere spinner. He also bats at No. 4 in the J&K team. He is a genuine all-rounder. Rasool bowled Australia out for 241 with a seven-wicket haul in the two-day practice match in Chennai. He proved his worth in batting too with a knock of 36, as Board President’s XI bowled out for 230. It can be recalled that Rasool was detained by Bangalore police for questioning in 2009 in connection with suspected presence of explosives at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. He was later given a clean chit.

Instead of looking at the big names Harbhajan and Ashwin everytime, if the selectors dare to give chances to off-break bowlers like Parvez Rasool, we might see the wonders and revive our spin legacy. It would be interesting to see whether Rasool would get a chance in this tour or not.

To start with, Rasool was signed by Pune Warriors India to play in the Indian Premier League this year. Since he is a uncapped player, he would get Rs 20 lakh as per IPL norms.