Amit Bhandari

[Salamuddin]

Just wondering why the Indian selectors continually ignore him for the national team ?

He did quite well for India A on their England tour -- ok the opposition wasn't great but both Balaji and Pathan went on that same tour and didn't do jack all.
He was easily the best bowler on the belters laid out for the Challenger trophy -- a performance which impressed the Wisden India commentators (usually a fairly objective lot).
He's also picked a fair number of wickets in the Kenstar A team trophy and the test series against Sri Lanka A.


According to Wisden, Bhandari's a much improved bowler from the youngster who was belted around in his debut game 3 years ago on a placid Dhaka track.
Seems to me that he's worth a go at the very least -- I'm really unimpressed with Nehra -- apart from the Zimbabwe tour in 2001 and the WC2003, he's really done nothing of note in his career.
Pathan's quite promising for a guy who's only 19 but Balaji is just not international class.

 

[amits]

y bhandari isnt being selected is a mystery. bhandari is a very good bowler and has looked to be the best bowler in the kenstar tournament.

irfan, is still young, but he has been a very useful bowler and took 3 wickets against pak and sl u-19s.

y balaji is being selected is another mystery. balaji, can do well against "A" teams and in the domestic matches, but in international matches, whenever given the opportunity, he hasnt lived upto it.

bhandari, is far better than these 2 and is the 3rd(2nd) best bowler india have after zaheer and AA.

 

[Arjun]

Amit Bhandari is quite an aggressive and clever bowler, but like most Indian fast bowlers (read-medium-pacers), he lacks the power. I don't think he can do any better than the current lot.

He can use helpful conditions well, but what if they are not present? He might have his problems, as in Dhaka. Anyway, if AA is one of the best seam bowlers in India, the selectors have to look around. At least Bhandari is slightly better built.

Balaji just keeps bowling short all the time. Works in India, but not outside. A change of action, and probably more variety is needed. He needs some specialist guidance. You can't eject him rightaway, he's quite young. Come to think of it, all Indian fast bowlers need specialist guidance. From someone who knows what's needed for fast bowling, preferably a foreigner.