Cynics and emotional quotient in Selection

"I think everyone needs to perform, as it is a team game. You can't take your place for granted and I can assure you that is not the case with any of the players. In India, it really doesn't matter whether you are 31 or 32. As soon as you cross 30, I think people start talking. It is not fair to judge someone by just one performance or just one series, especially when someone has performed for 10 years. I understand when he is a newcomer, though that is unfair as well. You cannot judge a player by just one series. But when you have played for 10-15 years and contributed to all the victories that India have had in the last 15 years, it is not fair to pass judgment.

I think the first Test match is going to be important. The batting will have to click and I am confident about that. If we put runs on the board, we have got the bowling to pick up 20 wickets. The key will be to maintain our intensity throughout the Test. Australia will keep fighting and we will do the same. And if we fight till the last ball is bowled and not give up, I think we have a great chance. “

Spot on mate. Anil Kumble. But any takers for this ? Unfortunately in a cynical country like India, nobody would take this.  Writing off people is a pastime. A person might never know what a Test match is all about or how many Test venues India has, but then he would have every right to say his crooked opinion on selection issues, quality of a player.  Somebody would still say Tendulkar never won a match for India in his 19 yr old career. Or may be Dravid is an useless player as he always plays slow.  Dude did you bother to look at the match conditions which made Dravid play like a crawling cat ? 

Today Ganguly is everywhere in the print media, electronic media. The news anchor won’t know a bit about Ganguly ’s profile if he bowls left arm medium or right arm fast or a chinaman, but she would first jump the gun and say “Ganguly’s time is up”.  Sambit Bal in cricinfo writes a sensible piece on the possible replacements of the Fab four (if you still want to include Laxman in the retiree list despite he is few months older to Ponting).  The replacements aint ready. They showed promise, but faded out.  Sharma, Raina, Badrinath promise good, but they don’t deserve a cakewalk to the team. Let them prove the worth of their bite of the cake in domestic games and then open up a red carpet welcome in the Test team.  Yuvraj Singh is still a mystery and he invites sheer disgust and frustration to see such a class act go waste to Page 3 shenanigans.

“When Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid made their debuts together in 1996, they did so emphatically: there was no looking back. But not since Yuvraj Singh, whose failure to establish himself as a Test batsman has been one of Indian cricket's major disappointments, has there been a batsman who can be called a natural successor to the batting greats. S Badrinath ticks most of the boxes. He has done the hard yards in domestic cricket; is a big-innings player; averages over 55 in first-class cricket, with 15 centuries; has a sound technique, and as glimpsed briefly in one innings in the one-day series in Sri Lanka, perhaps the temperament. However, Ishant Sharma made him hurry on a slow pitch in the Irani game, and while it will be unfair to judge him on one match, it will be fair to say that Badrinath, too, failed to grab his chance.

Both Rohit and Suresh Raina have shown that they can play a range of strokes and innovate when the situation demands, but their CVs fall short when it comes to the longer version. Rohit averages 37 in first-class cricket, with a lone century in 29 innings, while Raina averages nearly 48, with six centuries in 67 innings. The evidence is promising, but not yet compelling. There was good reason neither made it to the Rest of India team for the Irani Cup. “

Can anything go more spot on than this.  Sensible and practical stuff. Rather than shouting over the top “go away you seniors”, let’s have a lookback session, appraise the facts and then draw a conclusion which is practical, logical and open ended. Is not extreme and is not emotional.  India has huge emotional quotient. Be it for players or actors.  Difficult for us to get rid of it. The plain logic suggests that Fab four have been the anchor of the team in last 12 years.  Laxman for moreso in last 8 years.  I expect a sensible decision out of the new selectors, not like the crash bang bang batting style of Srikanth in his hey days or his loose verbal volleys while being on TV.

My choice of team :

1.    Sehwag

2.    Gambhir

3.    Dravid

4.    Tendulkar

5.    Ganguly

6.    Laxman

7.    MSD (wktkeeper and vice-captain)

8.    Kumble (captain)

9.    Zaheer

10.  Bhajan

11.  Ishant

12.  Munaf Patel

13.  Rohit Sharma

14.  Pragyan Ojha

Selective amnesia

Sourav or no Sourav tomorrow, but no Badrinath and Rohit Sharma please. Would prefer Yuvraj or Kaif, but no Badriz or Sharmaz...

Nasser Hussein turns the tide

Usually the English media and the cricketers have been critical and wary of Indian playing conditions and many times they have skipped the tour to the country. For example in 1987 World Cup, there were no Ian Botham and David Gower in the side that went on to the final losing to Australia by 7 runs. Darren Gough and Andy Caddick – the 2 leading English fast bowlers of early 2000s for England skipped the 2001 tour to India . Their 2006 tour to the country was marred by injuries and suspicious virus that finally turned to a depression for Marcus Treskothick confirmed the doubts in Indian minds that England don’t pay the required dignity and respect to the Indian cricket, it deserves. May be the fact that India uprooted England as the ICC powerhouse or may be the fact that England now cannot have its own way in ICC or may be the fact that the English media and players yet take India to be a country full of pied pipers and snake charmers. May be they also think that conditions in India are very hot and humid, the pitches are slow and low and the crowd is bad mannered. Quite of it could have been true until late 90s, but then now the things have changed. Many players in the ill fated tour of 1993 suffered from stomach disorders (how much that’s related to Indian spicy food is a subject of debate).

England have toured the country for a Test series 2 times in this decade and just 2 times in 1980s and 1990s. Contrast that to a England tour to West Indies or South Africa. The upcoming series would be the quickest home series India plays against England in long memory (that I have). And we almost see a strong England side (as they believe and the players that make to XV) touring India subject to the condition that none of the selected player falls to injuries or pulls out of due to varied reasons. Lack of England’s top players in IPL was another example of how England sees India. But then not all the players see India in the same light. One such player is Nasser Hussein who has been a prolific England captain who actually transformed the England side from worst Test playing country (those days in late 90s, BD were not a Test playing country) to one of the most competitive team in Tests. Michael Vaughan built on the legacy of Hussein and the results were visible in the streak from 2003 – 2005 when England won almost everything they played.

Hussein in 2001 tour captained his weak side to a series loss of 0-1 with actually his side holding upper hand in drawn Tests in Bangalore and Ahmedabad. He got Tendulkar stumped for the only time in his Test career to Giles by bowling a constant nagging leg side line round the wicket. It was negative tactics, but then Hussein always believed in keeping the runs flow in check and he constantly lays stress on keeping the run flow in check to score points over opposition. The point I am trying to drive across is that the same man has now said some minty sweet and cool words about the tour to India which should act as an eye opener to the prejudiced English media and players.

Here it goes :

India is a fantastic tour, one I've never had a problem with. Everything about it is just great: you realize how lucky you are as a cricketer; they love the game; you are the centre of attention; the hotels are great; the food is great; the crowds are great - it's just a wonderful tour to be on.

You don't get specifically ill anymore and you are looked after very well. But the cricket is tough and one of the pieces of advice I would pass on to Kevin Pietersen, as captain, which I learned on my tour there, is to try and stay in control of the run rate out on the field.

You have to try and control the emotion of the crowd, keep them subdued when the likes of Rahul Dravid, Virender Sehwag, MS Dhoni and of course, Sachin Tendulkar are batting. If you can do that and quieten the crowd then you're on top of the game, but if you just go in without any plans and start getting smacked around, then things can easily slip away from you and suddenly you find yourself batting last on a turning pitch.

England need to put the pressure back on the Indians and that first Test in Ahmedabad is even more important than usual because if they can get to Mumbai still in with a chance of winning the series, you'll be amazed how much the Indian public gets on their own players' backs.

And then his views on Fab four and the seniors :

Those players have a really important series coming up against Australia which will go a long way to deciding what England are actually facing on the field. If they go well in that, you can expect a very confident India side. There has been a little bit of a shift in their selection and the senior players - the Dravids, the Gangulys, the Tendulkars, VVS Laxman - because they haven't performed for a while. Youngsters are starting to knock on the door more and more, but the one thing we all know is that you can never write off India's star players.

Michael Vaughan was dropped off the touring party for lack of form and fitness (mental more than physical). But then didn’t he already clarify that he is not in right state of mind to tour India. He would utilize the time to regain the fitness to be back for West Indies tour in Mar – Apr 2009 (before Ashes). Another prejudice towards India. England doesn’t have any more domestic cricket and he is misfit for international cricket for time being. So how is he going to ensure he is back to scoring runs again ? Playing in domestic cricket in South Africa or Australia ? If yes, then why not India ?

Thank You Ayaz

This one from Ayaz Menon comes as mint Candy for Rahul Dravid and one of the rarest sensible articles from anyone in the print or electronic media. Kudos to Ayaz. Very well said. I loved it.

“The more significant aspect of Dravid’s performance I believe, however, was his splendid catching at slip. The diving effort to get rid off the dangerous Viru Sehwag was breathtaking in its execution, and match-winning in its impact. Quick-silver reflexes, terrific anticipation coupled with great ball sense showed that Dravid’s cricketing instinct was hardly blunted, and that he was not mentally burnt-out

“Dravid’s fielding performance has been quite the opposite. He is already Test cricket’s second highest catcher (176 in 125 games), but importantly, has taken a whopping 16 catches this year in just 15 innings, which would not be possible for somebody who has lost his edge. Indeed, right through the year he has caught so brilliantly that his struggle with the bat must seem a surprise. But in his fitness and his superb catching also lies the hope that his batting woes will pass. For the all-important series against Australia, Dravid has made all the right preparatory moves.”

Very rare for us to find a impartial and factual article on seniors this days when a single cheap dismissal invites write-offs and louder calls to buzz the player off the team.

Bengal imports Murali

Bengal gets a Sri Lankan import -- Chuck.

Mendis would have been a better option. He could have been unearthed and exposed and made to look a very ordinary bowler.

Whose series is this ?

Sachin Tendulkar has said it right when he said that the series against Australia is not about the seniors but about the 2 teams. 2 of the best Test playing teams who have played some epic series this decade and perhaps this one is going to be no different. Go to any channel or any newspaper, the pre-series talk is specific to the future of the seniors and how they are over aged and how much they are liable to the team on basis of just 1 failure in Sri Lanka. Any ex-cricketer who has lifted some bat in international level or state level assumes importance when lured by the money in the media. And so we now have likes of Venkat Raja, Surendra Bhave who havent played at international level, to select the Test team for Australia series and yet again the questions would be does SG deserve a place ? When would seniors be dropped ?

M'con guys we got to discuss more about other aspects of the series, the selectors, the new regime of BCCI, the upcoming series and stuff like that. But we are stuck with 4 guys. Team doesnt revolve around this 4 people. They form the middle order. There are openers, there are bowlers and then there are wicket keepers. All possible micro analysis and micro management of every move of the 4 middle order batsmen is being done and every move is dissected with a surgeon's precision.

Time and again, on this blog I have said, yes the seniors would go one day. We should have replacements. But who ? Somebody who has succeded in T20 goes straight to Tests ? How many of our media experts or some bored writers (pun intended) know Test match rules ? Survival is the key in Tests. 20 overs is little less than a session in a day out of 5's play and you got to win sessions to win a Test.

Another silly discussion going around the corner is Greg Chappell. Media seems to be obsessed with him. Ok he is with Aussie team now as a coach cum consultant or whatever role it is. And if he gives some inputs to Aussies, then wats wrong with it ? He was with us during 2003-04 series, Bobby Simpson was consultant during 1999 WC, we have had John Wright and now Gary Kirsten as coach. Never did NZ and SA come back and charged us that may be this coaches are giving secrets about them to India. Then why this fuss over Chappell ?

Real battle would be right there in the middle of the ground. And when it would begin the coaches and every other thing would take the backseat. Can't wait for the series to begin. And as VM correctly pointed out pro-senior posts have no taking. I would sincerly advise all the bloggers (not media buffoons) to have a wide perspective, apply some brain before writing anybody off. Before prejudicing anybody, lets have his options ready.

BCCI.tv

Finally BCCI has its own website www.bcci.tv and trust me its very good to start with. Its updated, its got good looks. Go watch it. I would rate it 7.5 on 10.

Irani Trophy Review Day 1,2, 3

The RoI has set a target of 378 to win for Delhi. And that’s a formidable total, which didn’t quite look possible at the end of day 1 when the team was shot out for 252. Despite Sehwag heroics in Delhi’s first innings, RoI bowlers did a good job to take a 75 run lead which came in handy in the second innings. And after Dravid saw off the threat from Ishant Sharma, the 75 runs were always going to hurt Delhi in long interest of the game.

People might have different ideas about Dravid’s contribution to the RoI, but he was the difference between a target of below 300 and the current one of 378. Rest of the batting around him except MSD collapsed around him, so in a way RD stands vindicated and that gives a message that he is not finished and he ‘s got lot to offer to the India’s test fortunes. For Delhi Ishant Sharma in both the innings and Nanda in 2^nd innings were the exceptional performances. And that sounds alarm bells for Australia as Sharma managed to get lot of bounce and pace on a benign wicket. Bangalore, Mohali would for sure offer more bounce and help to seamers than this Vadodara pitch.

Dravid made valuable contributions of 46 and 69 to the RoI batting and was instrumental in forging partnerships with Jaffer, Badrinath who disappointed, Laxman (will he be under scrutiny?) and Dhoni of course. He saw off the threat of Sharma who troubled him in 1^st innings. And that’s the difference between a good batsman and great batsman. You wont fall for the same bowler again in the same style.

For RoI Munaf Patel was the standout performer along with Zaheer Khan who got Gambhir early and now critics have started baying for Gambhir’s blood after an indifferent SL ODI series and the first innings failure out here. Proves that how fragile are the critics who need top performance, but forget to note that they come across as a headless chickens. 4 wkts for Munaf in my opinion complete the resurrection of the bowler who promised much but fell out ultimately to the demands of international cricket more to his laidback attitude than the talent. I feel he s got back his pace and also the zip and fire is back in his belly.

And if there were any slim chances for Delhi to win the IT, they are gone with Zaheer Khan nailing Virender Sehwag. Does that also mean that Virender Sehwag should be kicked out of the Test team (0,37 , 43, 3) ? Tough task , somebody got to stand up and perform.

Standout performers :

Delhi :

Ishant Sharma

C Nanda

RoI

Rahul Dravid

Munaf Patel

Zaheer Khan

Mahendra Singh Dhoni

While writing this post Delhi need 369 more runs to win with 9 wkts in hand and little over 2 days of play remaining. I am sorry to say but the critics , journalists, Rakhi Sawant’s cousins and bloggers baying for Rahul Dravid’s blood have got to shut their mouth. A possible RoI win in the store :)

Rakhi Sawant's cousin

Mukul Kesavan,

http://content-ind.cricinfo.com/magazine/content/current/story/371078.html

You headless chicken, nothing can get worse than this out of your ridiculous brain. Get some new views dude. You speak like those fool hardy journos who are just out of masscom course and fresh into job. You no different than Rakhi Sawant........ A worthy cousin of her, perhaps lost in Kolkata's Bahu Bazaar :D

ICL Sawant'ed

So thats the commitment of ICL to benefit the "young cricketers" of India !!!. Rakhi Sawant to be the lead or head cheerleader for the ICL crap beginning Oct 10, 2008. Thats the last straw in the ICL's coffin. Its gone. Promotions and out of the box thoughts have gone nude.

All I can say is have a huge laughter when you see ICL games by chance during the epic Australia series. Grow up Mr Chandra!! Get some good ideas to counter IPL. Who wants funny wamps or skinny lasses (or dimwits) in "cricket" ?

One end we have Kapil Dev and Tony Greig in the ICL board and then we have Rakhi Sawant. Utter crap and childish!! Whats Rakhi Sawant going to do when a four or six is hit ? Pull down her "clothes" and scream with willy eyes which would put Murali to shame :)). Or is she gonna run down to the batsman hittin six and smooch him ? And then there would be a headline "Rakhi Sawant Showzz"