MUMBAI: The competition for places in the India side among left-arm spinners has never been as high. All those in the fray can’t afford a single slip-up.
a good start to the current season fuels Mulani’s optimism While it’s a tough road ahead. Prior to that, in the Duleep Trophy, he had a four-wicket haul and a fifty against North Zone. “Yes, there is going to be competition with so much talent. I just need to focus on what I am doing right now and keep performing. But I know that whenever my time comes, I will definitely be selected. “I am just looking forward to the (Ranji) season. I just want to put in a very positive season this year as well. Against the aggressive approach of the visiting batters, Mulani’s gameplan was to build pressure. I was just trying to mix it up. And that really worked for me, especially in the first game. In the fourth innings, when the cracks opened up, I just needed to bowl in the right areas and let the wicket do the rest. “We know each other’s game pretty well. We communicate a lot between overs. And it was really pleasing to have these two beside me. Yeah, really looking forward to the season.”
In the just concluded unofficial two-Test India A series against a strong Australia A side led by 20-Test veteran Peter Handscomb, the Mumbaikar was the player of the series, picking up a seven-wicket match haul to help India A win the first Test. A further three-wicket haul in the first innings of the second Test was backed by a crucial 29 to save the game. Because the selection process is not in my hands. So that whenever there is a talk about any changes, my name should be up there. “I was just trying to vary my pace, not bowl at a certain pace so that these guys get used to it.
I just want to practise and get better,” said Mulani pleased about the experience of playing the two unofficial Tests against a top side. That’s my aim,” said Mulani.
Because i played for India A after two years, talking about his morale-boosting show against the strong Australia A side in Puducherry, the Mumbai all-rounder said: “It was very exciting for me. Especially, as Australia A had a very experienced team, seven of them if I’m not wrong, had played Test cricket before. I knew that it was going to be tough. Getting the player of the tournament, I was really happy, grateful that I got this opportunity. In preparation of the two matches, the team had the chance to formulate their strategy with the coaches at BCCI’s Centre of Excellence, Bengaluru. Mulani benefited and gained role clarity. “Had a conversation with Sunil Joshi sir and Rishikesh Kanitakar sir about what to expect. It helped me understand their (Australia batters) game style better.”
I performed in a way that helped India win the series,” said Mulani.
