The young Indian team won the inaugural 20-20 World Championships in South Africa. Then they went on to win the one-day tri-series in Australia (courtesy: unexpected blitz from Sachin in later stages of the tournament). The squad picked for Bangladesh tri-series and Asia cup don’t have Ganguly and Rahul despite the absence of Sachin, The God of Indian Cricket.
Graceful Exit
Graceful Exit
In Vengsarkar and Dhoni’s scheme of things there is no place for Ganguly and Rahul in one-dayers. Then where does this leave them? Don’t Ganguly and Rahul deserve glorious exit from one-day internationals? Will the board and selectors tell them:”Hey Look! We are building team for the future. We will give you one series to play and say good bye to one-day internationals.” Ganguly has already hinted that he was eying Championship trophy in September to announce his retirement from one-day internationals. Similarly Rahul must be also eying some grand stage to retire from one-day internationals.
In Indian cricketing history only Sunil Gavaskar had gracefully exited from international cricket. Most of the other greats had inglorious exits. In most cases they prolonged their career beyond their sell-by date. The players should also realize this and decide when to retire and not stay in the way of deserving youngsters. Kapil Dev, my favorite sports person ever and one of my role models, was wisely told by Gundappa Vishwanath, the then Chief Selector, to retire from international cricket. Though Kapil was not given a farewell match to exit gloriously, at least he was informed and taken into confidence.
In my view both Ganguly and Rahul deserve farewell match to retire gracefully from one-day internationals. Garry Kirsten has already enquired the seniors when they are planning to retire from Test cricket and so that he can handle the void left by them with less damage. Then what about VVS Laxman, the most shabbily treated cricketer by Indian board. Does only the God of Indian cricket deserves to be retired gracefully? Whether Rahul, Ganguly and Laxman are lesser mortals? What does the God thinks about his injuries and how long he planned to play both the versions of the game?
My Suggestions
Ok. Let us forget youth, building a new team for the next world cup etc. Let me discuss real possibilities. Only thing that matters is performance (form and fitness). Among the seniors only Rahul have the fitness to last longer. He is struggling with form. The main worry is his slump in Test cricket. In one-day internationals his form was more than reasonable before he was dropped. I think his dip in form is due to emotional drain and not because of age and loss in skill. I suggest him to take a break from all forms of cricket for half a season and come back rejuvenated.
Though Ganguly played one of his best knocks in the last Test match India played, he is inconsistent. His strike rate in one-dayers after his comeback in South Africa has been poor and has costed India few matches. Ironically he was batting aggressively in Test cricket. He can be given farewell in one-dayers, as he wished, during Championship trophy in September.
Regarding God, the main worry is fitness. His form is good after 2007 World Cup. He should assess his fitness and concentrate on one form of cricket, preferably Test cricket. Otherwise he will continue to miss crucial matches.
Poor Laxman has to content with only Test cricket. Realistically there are many cricketers better than him in shorter form because of versatility and adaptability. The real worry for him is often his place in Test team is under scrutiny because of a youngster or to balance the side. His records are third best after Rahul and Sachin and his match winning performances are second best after Rahul in the middle order.
In Indian cricketing history only Sunil Gavaskar had gracefully exited from international cricket. Most of the other greats had inglorious exits. In most cases they prolonged their career beyond their sell-by date. The players should also realize this and decide when to retire and not stay in the way of deserving youngsters. Kapil Dev, my favorite sports person ever and one of my role models, was wisely told by Gundappa Vishwanath, the then Chief Selector, to retire from international cricket. Though Kapil was not given a farewell match to exit gloriously, at least he was informed and taken into confidence.
In my view both Ganguly and Rahul deserve farewell match to retire gracefully from one-day internationals. Garry Kirsten has already enquired the seniors when they are planning to retire from Test cricket and so that he can handle the void left by them with less damage. Then what about VVS Laxman, the most shabbily treated cricketer by Indian board. Does only the God of Indian cricket deserves to be retired gracefully? Whether Rahul, Ganguly and Laxman are lesser mortals? What does the God thinks about his injuries and how long he planned to play both the versions of the game?
My Suggestions
Ok. Let us forget youth, building a new team for the next world cup etc. Let me discuss real possibilities. Only thing that matters is performance (form and fitness). Among the seniors only Rahul have the fitness to last longer. He is struggling with form. The main worry is his slump in Test cricket. In one-day internationals his form was more than reasonable before he was dropped. I think his dip in form is due to emotional drain and not because of age and loss in skill. I suggest him to take a break from all forms of cricket for half a season and come back rejuvenated.
Though Ganguly played one of his best knocks in the last Test match India played, he is inconsistent. His strike rate in one-dayers after his comeback in South Africa has been poor and has costed India few matches. Ironically he was batting aggressively in Test cricket. He can be given farewell in one-dayers, as he wished, during Championship trophy in September.
Regarding God, the main worry is fitness. His form is good after 2007 World Cup. He should assess his fitness and concentrate on one form of cricket, preferably Test cricket. Otherwise he will continue to miss crucial matches.
Poor Laxman has to content with only Test cricket. Realistically there are many cricketers better than him in shorter form because of versatility and adaptability. The real worry for him is often his place in Test team is under scrutiny because of a youngster or to balance the side. His records are third best after Rahul and Sachin and his match winning performances are second best after Rahul in the middle order.
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