Ranadeb Bose

It would have been easy in 2005, when he was called up at the conditioning camp held by newly appointed coach Greg Chappell in Bangalore and then promptly forgotten, for Ranadeb Bose to give up on his dream of an international career. The 30 players at the camp were supposed to be the 30 best in India and it was due recognition for the Bengal fast bowler with a flowing action, a nice leap in the delivery stride that made optimum use of his height, and who had earned his wickets quite cheaply over his career, at an average of 24.63 and an economy rate of 2.64. However, he soon disappeared from the limelight and, at 26, it was believed he would not have a second coming.

Two years later, on the back of an exceptional 2006-07 domestic season Bose was back and after being ignored for the Bangladesh tour, made his way into the Indian Test side for England. He got 57 Ranji wickets in eight matches, five-fors in five straight matches, and six in all, two 10-wicket hauls, and three four-wicket hauls to go with that. Only five bowlers have taken more than 57 wickets in a single Ranji season. This season was a metamorphosis of sorts after playing second fiddle to SS Paul last season. He took over the lead role as Paul was injured and led a young Bengal attack exceptionally well. At the end of the 2006-07 season, Bose had bowled 10,658 first-class deliveries, and not bowled a single front-foot no-ball. Add to that the 2,113 List A deliveries, and countless ones at other official games, where he hasn't over-stepped even once. It speaks a lot about his new approach to bowling: cutting down on pace, focussed on accuracy and movement, and the numbers are the tangible evidence.
Sidharth Monga June 2007