Rohit Jhalani
Rohit Jhalani is one of the prospective occupants of the troubled
wicket keeping spot in the national side. The 21 year old may not have
the greatest visibility among domestic fans perhaps because he plays
for unfancied Rajasthan in the Ranji Trophy. But he has impressed all
those who have watched him this season with a competent technique
behind the wickets that garnered 20 victims in the country's premier
domestic competition.
The Jaipur lad who is now training with the National Cricket Academy
in Bangalore knows that he will have to strain every sinew if he is to
nose ahead of the competition and is certainly no shirker from hard
work. But the loads of natural ability Jhalani possesses should give
him a headstart in the pursuit of an India cap.
Twenty dismissals this Ranji season ranked him joint fifth in the
wicket keepers standings, having played fewer games than all the
others, and an especially forceful showing against Mumbai pitchforked
him into the attention of the powers that be. Forced to rub shoulders
with four heavyweight teams in the Super League, Jhalani's effort
against Mumbai was a key input that almost lifted minnows Rajasthan to
a startling upset win.
Mild mannered and unassuming, Jhalani was thrilled to be given an
opportunity to earn some tips from the legendary Rodney Marsh at the
NCA's inauguration. Adam Gilchrist, Kiran More and Syed Kirmani are
the idols of this youngster who is keen to produce some consistent
scores with the bat that could bolster his claims for higher laurels.