World Cup squads googly guy

The leg-spinner hasnt played a role in the South Africa series so far,and the last time he donned the Indian blue jersey in a one-day international was nearly three years back when India couldnt defend a 300 plus total against Pakistan in the Asia Cup.

Since July 2008,the 22-year old has satisfied himself as King XI Punjabs premier spinner for three seasons,while occasionally finding his 15 minutes of fame for Uttar Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy,or in the English County during his stints with Sussex and Surrey.

His performances for any of the sides clearly werent up to the mark,as when a team comprising of only youngsters (every senior player was rested) led by Suresh Raina toured Zimbabwe in May last year for an tri-series,Chawla wasnt even in the reckoning. Yet,when the squad for the 2011 World Cup was trimmed to its final 15 in Chennai on Monday,the leggie magically made the cut. And if Chawla does make the XI during the quadrennial event in India,then it will be the first time ever he plays an ODI in India.

For a career spanning 21 ODIs all witnessed between 2007 and 2008 Chawla has played all his matches outside India Bangladesh,Ireland,England,Australia and Pakistan. Within that period,the young man has gone wicketless nearly 40 per cent of the times. While Chawlas selection is bound to raise eyebrows in the countdown (more days left than his career wickets) to the Cup,Indian skipper MS Dhoni was politically correct in defending the selectoral pick.

Its good to have Piyush in the side,because he adds variety to the spin department. And he is one guy who can bat a bit. Im not saying hes a specialist batsman,but in county cricket he has scored a fair amount of runs, Dhoni said at Newlands on Monday.

The Indian team may have only seven specialist batsmen,including Dhoni,but the final 15 boasts of three spinners Harbhajan,R Ashwin and Chawla. So what will the leggies role be in the side? Dhoni says: He can bat at No.7 for us,if we feel that the five bowler tactic has to be employed. We definitely need a bowler who can bat a bit,and both our back-up spinners (Ashwin and Chawla) can do that.

Chawlas contribution in this series has been that of a glorified net bowler,or a water-carrier,whichever way one looks at it. His only on-field contribution to the team was snaring David Millers catch at the Wanderers in the second ODI,after coming on as a substitute fielder for the injured Sachin Tendulkar.

Now that there have been several injuries,Chawla is bound to get some much needed match practice before the opening game against Bangladesh in Mirpur. Everyone will get an opportunity the injuries have been a blessing in disguise for them. There are three remaining games,so players like Piyush will play before the two warm-up games leading to the World Cup, the skipper confirmed,before pleading,Please,no more questions on the World Cup selections. The chairman of selectors has already justified the team composition.

But how do you justify a man who has never played an ODI at home; who last played a game three years back and wasnt picked for second string Zimbabwe tour,making it to the World Cup? Maybe there are no answers,only laughs. Some zonal selector surely giggled as hard as Chawla did after missing his dive,but making the cut on Monday.