Dasgupta talks of Test ambitions

There was a time when the legendary Rodney Marsh - the former world-record holder of most number of dismissals by a wicket-keeper - was nicknamed "Iron Gloves" for his dismal performances behind the stumps.

And it was on Marsh's advice that Deep Dasgupta, the modern "Butterfinger" wicketkeeper, got his first international breakthrough in South Africa - what a coincidence!

Whether Dasgupts will be able to iron out his flaws and earn a name for himself in the Indian Test history, only time will tell. At the moment, he is in the toughest tour of his career and he readily admits it.

"Yes, it's important with a capital I. I've to bat well and keep better - it's so simple to say, but so difficult to execute! And I have to do so at the first available opportunity. Otherwise my dream of continuing to play for as many days for my country will get a severe setback," he admitted to this correspondent on the night before the first Test.

He and Ajay Ratra are very good friends and good competitors for the wicketkeeper's position in the Indian Test team. When Ratra made his debut at the Eden Gardens against the touring English side in the limited-over match there, Ratra thought Dasgupta should wish him good luck. Here, Dasgupta must have asked the same of him.

In fact, Deep's morale received a tremendous boost when Sachin Tendulkar decided to talk to him over the telephone during the Indian team's stay in Kolkata. "It was so nice to receive that call from Sachin. He is a great cricketer yet he didn't forget to call me, and sounded hopeful that I would soon be back in the team. I was overwhelmed," Dasgupta said.

He followed a tight schedule for practice and played well in the Deodhar and Duleep matches to earn another call from the national selectors.

There is no mistaking the fact that he likes challenges. That's why, as the established seniors went behind the curtains when the question of opening the innings came up, Dasgupta, with only one Test behind him, persuaded his captain to put his faith in him to open the innings. He, then, went on to get a 50 in only his second innings as an opener, saving the match for his country with Rahul Dravid.

His batting saved him from being ousted from the team. "Yes, I like to open the innings and here my duty will be to give the team a good start so that the middle-order can capitalise on it. I am always in love with batting and I can bat wherever the team wants me," he said.

But keeping wicket for four sessions and changing gears to bat within ten minutes is not the easiest of jobs. Dasgupta, however, is not feeling it. He has to cement his place in the team and he is ready to do so with his trademark smile on his lips.

Tackling pressure, according to his captain and statemate, is what international cricket is about. Dasgupta will have to do it for the team and himself at the very next opportunity, or he might never get the opportunity to do so again.