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Kitply Cup 2008

Gony to replace injured Sreesanth

Cricinfo staff

June 7, 2008

	Manpreet Gony's 17 wickets at the IPL made him the highest wicket-taker for Chennai and fourth highest overall © Cricinfo Ltd

Manpreet Gony, the Punjab fast bowler, will join the Indian squad for the Bangladesh tri-series as a replacement for Sreesanth, who was ruled out after suffering a side strain.

Gony, 24, has had a remarkable ascent since making his List A debut a little more than three months ago. He came into national reckoning during the Indian Premier League, where he made a string of impressive performances for the Chennai Super Kings, and was instrumental in taking his team to the final. He finished with 17 wickets from 16 matches at 26.05, which made him the leading wicket-taker for Chennai and fourth highest overall.

He was picked up by Chennai after finishing as the highest-wicket taker in the Deodhar Trophy, taking nine from three matches at 14.66. Gony made his first-class debut in December last year against Baroda. He said the IPL was a great learning experience for him.

"The IPL has given me great exposure. You rarely get a chance to bowl to so many world class batsmen and this experience has made me a better bowler," Gony told PTI. Kepler Wessels (the Super Kings coach) made a slight adjustment to my action, helped me hit the deck harder and bowl at right areas.

"But, I will look to have a fresh start when I bowl in the tri-series, where I will also get the opportunity to bowl a longer spell, which should help me show my abilities."

He added that his selection took him by surprise. "After an ordinary first-class debut, getting the call from an IPL franchise came as a surprise," he said. "However, I feel taking eight wickets in two Deodhar Trophy matches for North Zone helped me catch the eye of the team owners."

Sreesanth was assessed in Bangalore on Friday, after which it was decided that he would need two weeks to recover from his injury. He will undergo rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy and is expected to be fit in time for the Asia Cup in Pakistan.

© Cricinfo