The Indian Express - India's search for a tearaway fast bowler

Munaf Patel

Munaf Patel

The last in Chappell’s Top 3 is probably Indian cricket’s greatest rags-to-riches story – Munaf Patel. In 2003, Kiran More had spotted him while he was bowling in the nets and by the end of the years Patel was an India A bowler even before he had made his first-class debut. After roughing up the visiting New Zealanders on debut, he accepted a contract with Mumbai after a word with Sachin Tendulkar. A couple of seasons later, it seemed as if he had arrived when he took 7 for 97 to bowl India to victory over England in his first Test – the best performance ever by an Indian fast bowler on debut. The speed though was to go down and, last heard of, the best job option he has is as a back-up bowler for Mumbai Indians. From rags to riches to riches in the form of rags – such is Munaf Patel’s story.

Abid Nabi

Abid Nabi

What followed these three is a largely untold story – that of Abid Nabi. Before Parvez Rasool, Nabi was seen as the next big hope from the state of Jammu & Kashmir. Dennis Lillee had spotted him at the MRF pace academy and alerted Chappell which meant that Nabi was now bowling in the India nets. Like VRV, Nabi was an out and out quick – a commodity always high in demand. The only thing he did wrong was to play for a team which is arguably the weakest in Indian domestic cricket. His team’s failures weighed heavy of Nabi and, disillusioned, he joined the rebel Indian Cricket League effectively closing the hatch on his spot in the sun.