It has been a disappointing downward curve since for a man who started off that well. Ajit Agarkar kept getting regular breakthroughs but the costs, in terms of runs conceded, were often too much. His batting stance and stroking ability spoke of a hesitant yet capable lower order batsman hiding behind that lean frame but he never got the coaxing and cajoling that would help transform that potential into substantial performances.

In the 2000s Agarkar was forever in and out of the national side. His selection depended on non availability or loss of form of other key bowlers. And to give his critics their due, Agarkar never delivered that one string of good performances that would have elevated him in the eyes of the cricket loving folk of his country.

The one aspect of Ajit Agarkar's cricket that kept him in the reckoning even in the worst of times was his athletic outfielding and possession of a great throwing arm. This advantage on the field has seen him outlast bowlers like Zaheer Khan and Ashish Nehra, guys who once were thought to be far ahead of the little Maharashtrian in the race to bowling greatness.

That one ball he bowled in the DLF Cup a month ago, however, seems to have brought more obvious changes in him than eight long years in the heat of international cricket did. Off course this is an impulsive declaration on my part; a lot of hard work in the nets must have gone into his present success. Moreover it is a bare five or six matches since that Agarkar turnaround and therefore too early to sing hosannas or announce with fanfare the return of the prodigal.

Regardless of the cause though, the Agarkar everyone knew has undergone a sudden metamorphosis and now he looks every bit the top flight opening bowler in ODI's that people gave up their hopes on. He bowled tight and incisive spells in that DLF match, in the next one, and - as the venue shifted to the Caribbean - bowled just as well in the next...and the next...and the next!

The Test squad for the West Indian tour had to be announced at this point and sure enough Agarkar, inspite of bowling splendidly in the 1st three one dayers, could not find himself a slot to stay on. Barring a six-wicket haul in the Australian 2nd innings at Adelaide 2003 that helped India register their most memorable Test win in recent years, Ajit Agarkar has only a stark bare cupboard to show for his returns in Test cricket. He never got enough number of Test matches at one go, but let us be fair to the selectors and just say that he always managed to look way below par to even be considered for those often-vital extra matches. Now in the prime of his one day career Agarkar will continue to pay for that dark past of profligacy.

Looking back at his career which yet has a few years left, Ajit Agarkar may rue that he found his bearings too late in the day to earn him a regular Test place. The competition for fast bowling slots in the Indian team is hotter today than ever before, and Agarkar will realise that he has done precious little yet to claim a Test place ahead of the young lad selected to replace him after the ODI's are done with.

All said and done, Ajit Agarkar is just 28. For the sake of this silent team player who has finally chosen to knock at the door of success after sheepishly turning his back on it time and again, one wishes that his abundant bowling talent could be given that one last chance to prove itself worthy of representing India in the Tests. As I write this post Agarkar picks up Ramnaresh Sarwan [another opposition vice captain who has become a thorn in India's flesh] in his first over for India in the make or break 4th ODI.

Come on BCCI selectors, just fit Ajit Agarkar in the Test squad and provide him with that one opportunity in Tests NOW, and let there be none again - extra or otherwise.

A very well written note on India's nearly man. The way Agarkar has been bowling especially in the last 3 months, he deserves a Test spot and certainly better treatment. Agarkar is bowling probably at his best, besides he is a very safe fielder.

Anghs, One thing I would like to point out is also that Agarkar does bowl at a fair pace too. He consistently touches the 80-85 Mph mark which even the so called new breed rarely touch.

P.S:- Looking at India's young guns' performance in the last 3 ODI's, one wishes that we had the experience of VVS Laxman or Saurav Ganguly to tackle the Windies. And what about Anil Kumble, would have been more than a handful on those spinning tracks @Port of Spain and St. Kitts where even pie-throwers like Marlon Samuels and Chris Gayle (to a lesser extent) put the brakes on the Indian wagon wheel.

Very well written note. Ajit has been in the reckoning for nearly eight years but never was certainty in the team until lately. We are happy that he has given justice to his talent at last, hope will continue good work. He has a quality to surprise the opposition by his pace. He has consistently touched 80-85 Mph, which you hardly see from Indian Bowler. The other art he possesses is the art of reverse swing. I feel the line and length that he is bowling now is the key factor that has brought him late successes in his career. The Test berth is seems difficult to get, at least in domestic condition, but in the alien condition he might get a chance. Though he wants to forget the batting exhibition in Australia, but bowling was always far from better in those conditions. Always troubled Waugh’s and Langers with his away swinger and in cutters. But when it comes to wipe off the tale of the opposition, he is not shying away either. Being able to bowl the yorkers and slower deliveries at will, he can be deadly to tell-enders.

People rarely remember great days that you had in the field, but always remember all the bad days that you have gone through. And is the case for Ajit Agarkar

I am still stunned(as I write this) that Pathan was dropped for VRV for the First Test(heavens!). Looks like a fast Bowler's career in India is as difficult and dangerous as an animal on the verge of extinction in Thailand or China ! However Angs, if Ajit stays healthy and escapes Chappell's wrath he should be one of the quartet in the WC in 07, then perhaps he can be the hero that you always thought he could be. Cheers, buddy!

Absolute ode to Ajit Agarkar. A wonderfully composed analysis. Predominantly, Agarkar is tagged with the term "Inconsistency". If he is inconsistent, can anyone name a consistent bowler?
As Lara said "A Player is as good as his last match" and so every player has to be credited with his form and not his past records. But one good thing about our Hero is that "He never gives up" and it's his attitude that keeps him going on and on....