PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE

Who Should Bat at NO.3?
Once Don Bradman said “Play your best batsman at No.3”. Rahul Dravid is India’s best batsman and he should bat one drop in both forms of cricket. Anyway he has the option to play as a floater (one of the reasons which cost his place in one-dayers now) in one-dayers. Among youngsters, Rohit Sharma is the one who looks suitable to take that place. First he needs to be tried at No.5 or 6 and then after gaining some experience, promoted to No.3. Further he needs more first-class exposure to get into test side. He should be given a place in one-dayers (in final XI). Of course Yuvi is India’s best batsman in shorter (shortest as well) form of the game, but his shortcomings in moving conditions makes him not suitable to bat at No.3 in some pitches.

Who should open the batting?
Sachin and Sourav are big score players. They score hundreds regularly. We need someone among the youngsters who can play such kind of knocks. Dhoni has that ability to play long innings, even though he scored his both centuries at No.3. Sehwag and Uthappa were seems to scoring runs in short bursts. Moreover Uthappa adapted well to the finisher role in short period. Sehwag role is also similar to Uthappa. But he needs to wait longer to get into the final XI, since most youngsters are playing well. Gambhir could be the other opener partnering Dhoni. He needs to wait for a while to cement his place, till Little Master retires from one-dayers. Regarding Ganguly, it is time for saying goodbye to both forms of cricket.

In Test cricket Jaffer and Dinesh Karthik are doing fine job. But I am not sure, how long Karthik can withstand the pressure of opening? It is better to bring back Sehwag to that slot. Karthik is my choice as No.1 keeper in the side.

Who should be the Captain of the Test Side?
I am personally not in favor of having separate captains for Test and one-dayers. But because of present situation (which is caused by Dravid’s resignation) the selectors have to go for separate captains for the Test side and one-day side. Dhoni’s place in Test match is not secure. Dinesh Karthik is better than him in both wicket keeping and Test match batting. So Laxman and Kumble are the only suitable choices. With Laxman having atleast 3 or 4 years in him to play the longer version of the game, he is my No.1 choice. Sachin is not the suitable choice; anyhow he has refused the Test captaincy.

Handling Munaf Patel
Munaf is an exceptional talent. He has the potential to emerge as India’s best bowler ever. He is the player one who needs more care in Indian cricket now. Yes, he has problems. It is the duty of captain or coach or selectors to back and take care of him.

Bowling Attack
The current pace bowling line may be the best in Indian cricket history, but that is not enough. Selectors need to identify new pace-bowling talents and properly groom the existing ones.

Among the spinners, Chawla may be the ideal replacement for Kumble in the future. Murali Karthik is currently displaying his form of his life. Indian needs to utilize him more at this moment. Regarding Harbhajan, he has not lived up to the expectations.

Promising Youngsters
It is time for the selectors to give ample chances to Badrinath. He is waiting for too long. Don’t spoil his career. He should have been picked for the Test squad to South Africa in 2006 ahead of Ganguly. Rohit Sharma must be fitted into the ODI XI. He was given only three chances to play and among them only two chances to bat. Suddenly most of the people are gunning for his removal.

Players like Manoj Tiwary, Suresh Raina, Chetshwar Pujara and some others are waiting in the wings.

Immediate One-Day XI
1. Sachin
2. Dhoni
3. Dravid
4. Yuvraj
5. Rohit Sharma
6. Uthappa
7. Irfan
8. Chawla
9. Zaheer
10. Murali Karthik
11. Sreesanth
Reserves
Gambhir
Badrinath
RP Singh

Immediate Test XI
1. Jaffer
2. Sehwag
3. Dravid
4. Sachin
5. Laxman (Captain)
6. Badrinath/Yuvraj
7. Dinesh Karthik/Dhoni
8. Anil Kumble
9. Zaheer Khan
10. RP Singh
11. Munaf
Reserves
Sreesanth
Murali Karthik