TEAM SELECTION FOR BORDER-GAVASKAR TROPHY

Squad for First Two Test Matches
1. V. Sehwag
2. G. Gambhir
3. R. Dravid
4. S. Tendulkar
5. V.V.S. Laxman
6. S. Badrinath
7. M. Dhoni
8. A. Kumble
9. H. Singh
10. Zaheer
11. Ishant
12. S. Ganguly
13. Munaf
14. A. Mishra
15. R.P. Singh

Ganguly’s Selection and Young Bloods

HOW INDIA’S GEN NEXT BATTING LOOK LIKE?

There is too much debate going on about Ganguly’s inclusion in the team. There is a talk about phasing out the seniors. I am in favor of phasing out the seniors. But the question is, whether enough candidates pushing for a place in Test team? Let us find out the facts. Only Badrinath is seriously pushing for a place in Test team. Thank God! He has got his chance at last. Rohit Sharma is a class act and one for the future. But his domestic record suggests that he is inconsistent and he has scored only one first-class century in his career of two seasons. He needs atleast a season of hard grind of first-class cricket. Suresh Raina has recently scored a century against visiting New Zealand ‘A’ side. He is more consistent and experienced than Rohit. But he seems to be susceptible against quality attack. It can be rectified by more exposure against quality attack. Till then he has to wait.

Then who are on the line for selection? It is Yuvi and Kaif. Both had been given enough opportunities. But they had failed to capitalize on those opportunities. I am not telling that they should not be given any more opportunities. But they have to prove by showing consistency in their batting. Kaif had a good first-class season and as a reward got a place in the Rest of India lineup. He is a great team man but there are more quality batsmen than him. His attitude and others’ poor form may throw a lifeline for him. Yuvi is one of my favorite players. But he has wasted his talent and opportunities provided to him. I hope he rectify himself in all aspects of game and come back strongly.

If all these young options exhausts, we have Virat Kohli. Infact he had good success against decent attacks recently. Who knows? He may overtake above mentioned players. Then we have likes of Manoj Tiwary, Chetaswar Pujara, Shikar Diwan and others. Tiwary was in the contention during last year and suddenly he was nowhere now. Besides these entire youngsters one humble cricketer aged above 30 is there in the reckoning. He has scored runs season after season. He is Akash Chopra. Apart from Badrinath he is one truly pushing for a place in the team. But he happens to be an opener or one-drop player.

Ganguly deserves graceful exit. He is the weakest link among the fab four. It is better he retires after this series. For time being there is a fight for No.6 spot between Badri and Ganguly. Don’t worry! God of Indian Cricket will injure himself and this will solve some selection puzzle. Otherwise the Board President X! Match and New Zealand match will solve that puzzle. There is a talk that youngsters will improve fielding standards and they have to be rushed into the Test team. Please remember that Yuvi and Kaif found wanting in catching at close-in catching positions. Fielding in slips and close catching positions is different from fielding in covers, gully and point.

Piyush Chawla or Amit Mishra
I think selectors must have difficulty in choosing the third spinner. Both Chawla and Mishra are good leg spinners after Kumble. Who knows? In future both may play together at the expense of Bhajji. As of now good luck to Mishra and better luck next time for Chawla.

I think overall Srikanth & Co has made a good beginning. It is not flashy like Chikka but steady like Sunny.

Match Schedule
1st Test at Bangalore - Oct 9-13, 2008 (09:30 local, 04:00 GMT)
2nd Test at Mohali - Oct 17-21, 2008 (09:30 local, 04:00 GMT)
3rd Test at Delhi - Oct 29-Nov 2, 2008 (09:30 local, 04:00 GMT)
4th Test at Nagpur - Nov 6-10, 2008 (09:30 local, 04:00 GMT)