Calcutta, Feb.14: Jawagal Srinath, who retired three months ago, should come into the picture in a big way if the Board decides to appoint a bowling coach for the forthcoming tour of Pakistan.

In fact, according to a well-placed source of The Telegraph, the 34-year-old will be the “logical choice” given that Bruce Reid (who wore that hat for much of Team India’s Australia sojourn) is unavailable.

In any case, with the trip scheduled to begin in early March, the Board won’t have the time to “negotiate” with somebody from overseas. Moreover, most may not be keen on touring Pakistan.

Of course, much is going to depend on Srinath’s own availability. Calls to his cell, by the way, went unanswered throughout the evening.

The source added: “Srinath is liked and respected by the current players and, so, it won’t be difficult for him to slip into a role which calls for much interaction with quite a few boys…”

It’s not insignificant that Zaheer Khan, for one, has been ‘nursed’ by Srinath. Obviously, the Irfan Pathans too can gain if he is around.

In a dozen years of international cricket, Srinath took 236 wickets in 67 Tests and had 315 victims in 229 ODIs.