DEEP DASGUPTA Right-hand batsman; wicket-keeper

FACTFILE Born: 7.6.1977 Team: Bengal Test debut: v South Africa, Bloemfontein 2001 ODI debut: v South Africa, Johannesburg 2001

Dasgupta marked his first-class debut in 1998 by scoring a century against Baroda as a specialist opening batsman.

He had to take up wicket-keeping and wait for two years, however, before becoming a regular member of the Bengal side.

His versatility earned him a place on the 2001 tour to South Africa and his greatest moment so far came in the home series against England which followed when an innings of 100 at Mohali helped India to a 10-wicket win.

Unfortunately for Dasgupta, his shortcomings behind the stumps were soon exposed and when his batting let him down in the Caribbean, the selectors decided to look elsewhere.

The former gymnast's recall for Australia came as a surprise and it is hard to see him making the Test side unless first-choice keeper Parthiv Patel suffers an injury.