Gautam Dutta. Picture by S.H. Patgiri

A season in the wilderness has done more good than harm to 29-year-old Gautam Dutta’s cricket. A reluctant participant in the daily physical grind of conditioning camps, Assam’s highest wicket-taker has this time stood out for his involvement and fitness in the pre-season drill.

Though very little can be said about his form or that of others selected for the Moin-Ud-Dowla Cup, the welcome change in attitude in Dutta has been very visible — raring to go at the batsmen and seeking to shoulder more responsibility.

“You will see a new Gautam this time,” he declared on the eve of the team’s departure to Hyderabad tomorrow evening.

Once touted as international material, the left-arm medium-pacer said he could make significant contributions to the team as a batsman provided he batted a little higher up the order.

“In the past two seasons, I batted very little. I was sent in at number nine or 10. Either I got out or my partner lost his wicket. In the middle, batting comes naturally to me, something I have not been able to fathom after 13 years of first-class cricket.”

Dutta has been the only player from the state to achieve the rare double of 100 wickets and 1,000 runs. He has over 1,500 runs and 136 wickets from 44 Ranji Trophy ties with a best individual score of 87. He has eight fifties to his credit and enviable figures of 20-6-52-9 versus Tripura in 1991-92 in Guwahati.

“Those who have followed my career will tell you that I have always excelled whenever responsibility has been thrust upon me. Responsibility brings the best out of me. Since I have been included in the team as an all-rounder (that is what I have heard), I am sure I will have opportunities to display my batting prowess,” he said.

Dutta, however, has ruled himself out as captain. “I had been captain for two seasons but now I want to solely concentrate on my game and give my best to whoever is in charge. I will never lead Assam again. The appointment of Nishanta (Bordoloi) is a good move. He is innovative, his body language is also positive.”

The seamer has learnt a few lessons after sitting out last season. “It was a very tough year but the experience has made me stronger and mature,” he said.