Ramesh Powar steps up with bat and ball

The unpleasant homecoming of veteran medium-pacer Ajit Agarkar from Cuttack last month on the eve of Mumbai's Ranji Trophy tie against Orissa seems to have a positive impact on senior offie Ramesh Powar. At least, that's how he wants to look at it.u00a0

Powar scored 81 (11x4, 2x6) and then took the wicket of Mayank Sidhana (57), who started looking dangerous to give Mumbai some hope for an outright win against Punjab in the last league game of Elite Division at the Wankhede Stadium yesterday. The hosts posted 430, thus grabbing a handsome 204-run lead in the first innings and then reduced the visitors to 203 for 4 at close on the penultimate day.u00a0

"I cannot think that nobody can drop me from the team. I have to bowl well to be in this side. After the Orissa game (referring to the Agarkar fiasco), I learnt that nobody is sure (of his place) in this team. You feel insecure when you see your mate going out. If you see Agarkar going out, then you could be next in line. It is as simple as that," Powar said.u00a0

"My aim is to enjoy every match as it comes. If I have to stay in this team, I have to go for wickets. I batted freely today. I was thinking too much about my batting all this while," added the 33-year-old offie.

Surprisingly, ever since the Cuttack incident, Powar is getting back to his wicket-taking ways. In the match against Orissa, the bulky off-spinner claimed six wickets to help Mumbai win almost single-handedly. He then claimed four and five wickets each against Saurashtra and Uttar Pradesh, respectively.u00a0

However, Powar does not believe Agarkar will make himself available for Mumbai selection anytime soon. "I don't think he will come again. He will take his time. I have played with Agarkar since my school days. It hurts that he is not a part of the squad in spite of all the talent. u00a0"I don't want to convince him because I know he will come when he feels fine," Powar signed off.