We are not worried about replacements: Sandeep Patil

Sandeep Patil is all set to end his four-year term as chairman of India selectors on a good note

The India 'A' team's splendid one-day triumph in the Quadrangular series at Mackay in Australia reminded chairman of cricket selectors Sandeep Patil of the time when he was India 'A' coach.

Sandeep Patil is all set to end his four-year term as chairman of India selectors on a good note

The delighted Patil, probably in his last month of his four-year term, agreed that he could relate to an 'A' triumph after having coached at that level several years ago. "I can imagine how happy Rahul Dravid (the current India 'A' coach) must be. Anil Kumble is doing a fabulous job with the senior team, but the 'A' team is your bench strength. It's critical," Patil told mid-day yesterday.

Earlier in the day, the Indians beat the hosts by 57 runs after the spinners, led by leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, combined to bowl out the Australians for 209 in pursuit of a 267-run target. "I will be a very happy man to finish on this good note. I am personally very happy with the way things have moved," Patil said.

'There is always pressure'
Beating Australia 'A' in their backyard would have provided more reason to celebrate, but Patil didn't read too much into that special satisfaction. "Whether it is Bangladesh, Australia, Sri Lanka… there is always pressure. It is international cricket, after all. You know that we struggled in Bangladesh too. We are happy the boys are using this platform well," said Patil, agreeing that the satisfaction of this win is more because it bodes well for the future.

Success of 'A' teams lessens the worry over replacing players who either get injured or suffer a loss of form and considering the 13-Test season is close at hand, Patil has no concerns. He remarked: "We are not worried about replacements. Anil has worked out a great plan where players will be going to the National Cricket Academy regularly. Looking at 13 Tests at home - especially the medium pacers - we have a replacement ready for each and every player. Not one, but three replacements.

"We had a long chat with Anil, Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni and we have given them options as to who can replace whom in the home series be it T20, ODIs and Test cricket."

'Mandeep is brilliant'
Reacting to yesterday's show in Mackay, Patil stressed: "Yes, I expected good things from Mandeep Singh (who scored 95 in the final). He is a brilliant talent, but again, he is not the only one. Shreyas Iyer too is very gifted. We have picked these young players looking at the road ahead.

"Not only those in Australia, but the boys playing the ongoing Duleep Trophy like Kuldeep Yadav (left-arm spinner) are doing well too. Off-spinner Jayant Yadav is another one who is coming up with encouraging performances. I am delighted for the whole lot."