By Arjun Sandhu

Uncapped off-spinner Ramesh Powar has been thrown in at the deep end as India prepare for the one-day series in Pakistan.

India hope Powar and Murali Kartik can rise to the occasion in Pakistan

The 25-year-old has been promoted into the Indian squad because of the absence of injured Harbhajan Singh.

And Powar insists he is unfazed by the pressure-cooker atmosphere he will encounter.

"I've got the heart for a big challenge, pressure situations have always motivated me," says Powar, who was a late starter as a spin bowler.

"I'd rather play in a pressure situation and prove my ability against an opponent like Pakistan, instead of making my debut against a weak side.

"That makes selection for this tour a dream start."

It was Powar's plucky display for Ranji Trophy champions Mumbai against a Rest of India team led by Sourav Ganguly in the annual Irani Trophy encounter last October that paved the way for his call-up to the national team for the limited-over series against Pakistan.

Powar turned out to be the cornerstone for Mumbai's victory in the prestigious curtain-raiser to the 2003-04 domestic season.

His four-wicket spell in the first innings, which included the dismissal of Ganguly for a fourth-ball duck, and a rapid knock of 57 helped Mumbai seize control of the match.

The selectors were obviously impressed by what they saw.

An Indo-Pak series is the test of any player's mettle Ramesh Powar

With Anil Kumble, India's hightest wicket-taking spinner in international cricket, also ruled out of the one-day series, the focus has now shifted to rookie Powar and slow left-armer Murali Kartik.

"I've performed well against Indian batsmen who are very good against spin.

"That gives me confidence of doing well in Pakistan, where the pitches are similar to those in India," said Powar.

"I think the spinners will have a significant role to play. There must be something in the pitches for the spinners, that's why Pakistan have included Shahid Afridi and Saqlain Mushtaq in the one-day squad."

Powar gives the ball generous flight and using his variations effectively while bowling to a fuller length than in the past - and he gives credit for his transformation to Sachin Tendulkar.

Both are disciples of Mumbai's famous coach Ramakant Achrekar, whose other trainees have included Test cricketers Vinod Kambli, Pravin Amre and Ajit Agarkar.

Powar has proved himself to be a more than useful batsman

"It was Sachin who suggested that I bowl slower and fuller. Now I tend to invite the batsmen to drive me through the covers," said Powar.

"Playing under Sachin has been a huge boost for me."

For one whose batting position has varied between seven and 10, Powar has four first-class centuries and a batting average of over 37.

Those statistics support his argument that he should be regarded as an all-rounder.

"I always consider my role as that of an all-rounder. I try to contribute as a batsman," says Powar, who will add welcome depth to India's batting line-up in Pakistan.

He is the younger of two cricket-playing brothers - elder brother Kiran narrowly missed the distinction of scoring centuries in both innings of the recent Duleep Trophy final when he was dismissed for 97.

For one who emphasises a "keep it simple" cricketing approach, Powar has a tough act to follow.

The other student of Mumbai's Shardashram School to make his debut in Pakistan was Tendulkar in 1989.