06 January,2010 07:49 AM IST | | Sudheendra Tripathi
Mumbai's Powar is enjoying playing role of mentor; says he has become more patient
After another five-wicket haul yesterday, Mumbai spinner Ramesh Powar thinks this one is particularly special, not just because it's his first fifer after an injury-forced break but also it's his best performance since he assigned to himself the new role of mentor to Mumbai's young spinners. Rather calm after his lethal performance after day's play of the Elite Division Ranji Trophy semi-final against Delhi at the Brabourne Stadium here, Powar said he owed his newfound patience to fatherhood and to the introspection he could do during his injury lay-off. Ramesh Powar celebrates a Delhi wicket on Day Three of their four-day Elite Division semi-final at the Brabourne Stadium yesterday. Pics/Atul Kamble
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"When I was out of the side, I was able to see that after my playing days are over, Mumbai will have no match-ready spin bowler and wicket-taker, so I realised I needed to spend more time with them and help them hone their skills," he said. "And I was out for three matches u2014 which is quite a while, so I had ample time to think about that.
Playing father to his daughter has been the other big factor. "Spending time with my daughter has made me more patient. Earlier, I used to get irritated. on the field. It is no longer the case now.
The stocky off-spinner believed that slow left-armer Iqbal Abdulla and Harmeet Singh are the spinners Mumbai can bank upon in the future.u00a0 "Iqbal has been bowling well throughout the season. But Harmeet has been very impressive. Taking 12 wickets in two games is incredible. I think these two will be around for a long time to come," Powar said.u00a0
Powar, who eventually finished with figures of 15.3-4-47-5, was responsible for all his five victims u2014 two of them castled u2014 in the second session. So, Delhi, who were just about stumbling back to their feet after having being reduced to 35 for three on Day Two and having lost the dangerous Shikhar Dhawan (44) with the score on 99.
Rajat Bhatia who applied himself brilliantly to score 85, was Powar's first victim. Three deliveries later, Powar castled Puneet Bisht with a beauty for a duck. Powar later consumed Pradeep Sangwan, Ishant Sharma and Parvinder Awana to end Delhi's innings at 211. However, Powar said his performance in the first innings could have been far better. "I had misjudged the wicket, I guess. I was trying too many things."u00a0
