Oct 15 2009
Grim and Grins down under Indian Team Selection
Current resurgence of Indian cricket team is proportionally related to performance of senior pros combined with the exuberance of the youth brigade of the team. The present team is balanced with the scintillating performances of Tendulkar and Ganguly, sturdy backups from Dhoni and Laxman and some disciplined bowling from Zaheer and RP. Team India is looking all set to take on Aussies in their den. But the situations are not looking so favourable for India, especially after the final fifteen were selected for the tour down under. A win in a Test match against Australia in Australia needs cent percent from each and every player.
Those who are to represent India in Australia are Anil Kumble (Captain), Mahendra Singh Dhoni (Vice Captain), Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, Yuvraj Singh, Sourav Ganguly, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, R P Singh, Ishant Sharma, Irfan Pathan, Wasim Jaffer, Virender Sehwag, Dinesh Kaarthick and Pankaj Singh.
Last time when Indian team toured Australia, even the hardcore fans of Indian Cricket team did not hope more than draws. But some spirited performances from Indians fetched them victory at Adelaide, which seemed an illusion earlier. The pillars are almost same on this tour too, but the wall around is not so strong; also few pillars have developed cracks.
Just before selecting the team, cricket administrators were involved in the rift between Dilip Vengsarkar, the chief selector, and BCCI. The controversial selection may also be attributed to the growing injury list of players. Three of the mainstream pacers in India were not available due to injury, thanks to board’s reluctance adopting the rotation policy. We have quite rich bench strength of batsmen as well as bowlers. But due to lack of proper policy, they don’t get fair deal.
The batting of Indian Test team has been revolving round the quartet of Tendulkar, Ganguly, Dravid and Laxman for a decade now. The added flavour now is Wasim Jaffer in great form. Yuvraj Singh is on peak of his cricket. Wicketkeeper batsman M S Dhoni is reaping rich of the exposure he is getting in the international cricket. But none of these make a genuine opening pair in test cricket. To fill the opening slot selectors have selected Virender Sehwag and Dinesh Kaarthick on some non-existent grounds.
Virender Sehwag is struggling hard to put even a single good score in domestic cricket that can support his selection. He has been selected because he was phenomenal on the last Oz tour! How can they ignore that currently he is finding the going tough even against novices in the game. Australians have a tendency to keep track of every players’ weak and strong areas. With his affinity to repeat same mistakes again and again, Sehwag can’t afford to risk his career, as this may be his last chance. Technically, he is not prepared for the tour. Selectors should have given him time in domestic circuit to improve on his weak points. Ability of Sehwag can never be doubted but right now he is going through bad phase and needs to be handled carefully. Instead of Virender Sehwag his Ranji team mate Akash Chopra could have been better option. Currently, he is in good nick in domestic cricket amassing runs in almost every match. Also he has patience and occupies considerable time on crease in order to see off initial overs and provide a solid platform for the middle-order batsmen.
Another selection that borrowed raised eyebrows from all corners is of Dinesh Kaarthick. His selection can’t be justified from any angle. Despite the given chances in the opening slot and middle-order, he has failed to deliver. Seen as potential backup for M S Dhoni, Kaarthick has done little to support the talent that he has in abundance. Neither has he shown grit with bat nor the character behind wickets. He let go the record number of bye runs in the Bangalore Test. Batting on fast pitches not only needs the talent but mental toughness also, which is for sure missing from his disposition. Another wicketkeeper opener that can replace Kaarthick and make Dhoni run for his money is Parthiv Patel. An ideal case of burnout, Parthiv was left out of the team long ago. But he has shown promise and did well to get noticed by the selectors once again. With vice captain Dhoni in the team, he might not get a place behind the wicket, but worth a selection as a backup as a batsman. A potent opener Parthiv has performed exceptionally well this season and has also improved behind the stumps.
Kumble and Harbhajan make a good spin pair which on any given day is capable of pushing the opposition on the back foot. But the spin pair is not well supported by inefficient pace attack selected. Apart from Zaheer Khan and Irfan, others have nothing or little experience of Test cricket. Things worsen even more with the fact that Irfan has played just one match since Nov. 2006 and is still in process of regaining his form. His batting and sincere efforts are the positives. R.P. has earned the place in the team and fully deserves that. Other two bowlers are Pankaj Singh and Ishant Sharma. They are tall, fast, high-spirited and talented but novices even in the domestic circuit. It took just one good performance from Ishant to make way into the squad. And experienced of just 23 first class matches, Pankaj Singh has been performing well at domestic circuit, but certainly not that extraordinary. Neglecting Murali Kartik may prove costly for the Indian team as the series progresses. He is a proved performer. Munaf should have been given more chances. He was not considered because of a mysterious injury. But it is not seemingly possible after the way he played the second Test against Pakistan. It looks as if injury is being imposed on him. If not Munaf, Praveen Kumar should have been given the chance. He has been in excellent form in the domestic circuit. Also with bat, he is capable to contribute. He is a match winner for Uttar Pradesh Ranji Team.
Winning a Test match means taking 20 wickets. And if those of Aussies, the degree of toughness increases manifold given their commitment and ability to fight back from nowhere. Our pace attack isn’t looking potent enough. But that is the way it is. They are futures of Indian cricket and must be groomed and exposed to the harsh international cricket wisely, otherwise we have already a long list of burnout players.
The selection of final 15 players was a bit difficult with some of key players injured; selection could have been done more wisely. It is high time when selectors realize that matches are not won on reputations and past performances of a player. It’s not that selected players are not capable enough, only that it is not the right time for them. If the surprise selections manage to do a trick or two, selectors will have their back to pat. Whether the gamble played by selectors hit the bull’s eye or not is to be seen.
Whatever be the team composition millions of fans will back the team with fullest of faith in their capabilities and skills. — Good luck Team India!!!
