Is Rasool the answer to India’s spin woes?

Kashmir-born Parveez Rasool made Australia dance to his off-spin with a seven-wicket haul for Board President's XI

Rasool being felicitated in Kashmir.


Chennai: October 17, 2009 is a day Parveez Rasool will never forget. Arriving in Bangalore for the under-22 CK Nayudu tournament with his Jammu and Kashmir teammates, Rassol got the shock of his life when Karnataka's anti-terrorism squad arrested him for alleged traces of explosives in his kit bag.
It was a false alarm, but Rasool spent 10 hours in police custody, facing intense interrogation. Such incidents can leave one mentally scarred, but Rasool emerged unscathed.

Like that dreadful day, February 12, 2013 is also a day Rasool would like to remember, albeit for happier reasons. In one of the biggest stages of his blossoming career, the 23-year-old off-spinner had a dream run, scalping seven wickets for the Board President's XI to leave the Australians in a spin on Tuesday.

The bowling all-rounder, as he likes to call himself, was not deterred by the big stage he found himself in at the Guru Nanak College ground. He troubled the Aussies with the bounce and natural loop he got from his high-arm action, and reaped the rewards.

This was his second international experience after he was selected to play for India 'A' against England last month and he enjoyed it.

Rasool is humble, as one would expect of someone who hails from Brijbehara, a small town in Anantnag district. "It's a great achievement to do well against a team like Australia. By God's grace if I get more chances, I'll look to do my best," he said.