BCCI "Timing"

Keeping in sync with what would soon be famous as "BCCI timing", the country's cricketing body has yet again pulled out a (sort of)rabbit from the hat when it was least expected .With the Test series evenly poised at the moment, exclusion of Ganguly and Dravid from the ODI team was a bolt from the blue and somehow mysteriously Laxman was never considered to be fit for the shorter version of the game.The exclusion of these players would definitely hamper the morale of the Indian camp after that emphatic win in Perth.

The board's reason that they have included youngsters with an eye on the 2011 world cup is definitely a laudable move, but only the timing of the move cant get any worse.Its true that neither Ganguly, Dravid nor Sachin would be in the thick of the things by then.But if 2011 world cup is the real motive then Sachin too should have been dropped from the team.Although i am personally against Sachin being removed from the ODI team.He has had a great year in ODI's last year and looking at the way he has been batting in the recent tests he looks to be in fine nick.Ganguly , Dravid and Laxman along with Sachin formed the formidable batting line up that has made India a better team(both at home and overseas) over the years.They are considered to be among the finest proponents of batting in the modern era and are greatly respected by teams all over the world.And dropping probably some of the finest Indian batsmen that way is what hurts.Informing them beforehand about their motive and making/convincing them to give some sort of press statement saying that they would retire from ODI's and would only be a part of Test team(Mind you India cant do with out them in the tests at the moment) would have been more fitting.

Some of the youngsters who have been included in the ODI's are amongst the bright "future" prospects for a long time now and its heartening to see that they get a chance to show their wares.But it would be baptism of fire for the youngsters considering that the other teams in the fray are Aussies and Lankans (who are finalists of the 2007 world cup).I am sure that this would be a tough series for them.But i also hope that they would adapt quickly and deliver the goods that are expected of them.The team composition thought doesn't look all that clear.Players like Badrinath who have performed over the years in the domestic circuit and for India A are still kept on the fringes.I would love to see some of these bench warmers given a chance to prove themselves.

Rohit Sharma seems to have all that is needed to hold the innings in the middle and he along with Yuvi and probably Raina would make a good middle order.Robin Uthappa hasn't showed any signs of maturity and it has to be seen whether he would use this chance to prove a point or two.Gambhir has shown that he can counter the best bowling attacks opening for the country in ODI's and i feel that he should be given a chance in the tests , since Jaffer couldn't deliver what was expected of him.Irfan Pathan would be a handy player both with the bat and ball in the limited overs version and his performances off late seems to indicate that he has rediscovered "swing" which has deserted him for sometime.He was always a good player and stint out side the team has made him a better player.I am looking forward to see how players like Piyush chawla and Praveen kumar would perform.

Though it would be interesting to see how these youngsters perform,the very thought that we wouldn't in all probability get to see these great players in colors is something that the Indian cricket fans would find hard to digest.

Last but not the least ,I hope that the game is played in the right spirit without any unwanted/unwarranted "incidents" and that we would get to see some engrossing battles.

BCCI disappoints again ...

BCCI doesn't seem to learn from the mistakes and certainly can't take harsh steps.This is once again evident from the team selection for ODI's and tests for Bangladesh tour.Indian cricket fans have been left high and dry by the world cup debacle and were expecting some sort of action that would send strong messages to players regarding their performances.There has been much talk about dropping the seniors and giving chance for youngsters who would be stepping in to fill the shoes of likes of Tendulkar, Dravid, Ganguly and Laxman in a year or two.So it was highly anticipated that we could see much new talent on display in the coming tour.

Though the team selection was on expected lines, it has quite a few surprises.Dropping Sehwag from tests for example is one such case.Except for the recent tour of SA where everyone failed Sehwag's contribution in tests was significant( he scored heavily against West Indies in WI).Dropping him would obviously been a relief to Bangladeshi bowlers.He is one batsman who if has his eye set could score heavily and go on to make a really big score and without him Bangladeshi bowlers surely would be a bit relieved.Dinesh karthick is going to open the innings along with Jaffer.

'Resting' Sachin and Ganguly for ODI's was obviously a step to give youngsters a chance to show their talent and mettle.India can't do without them at the test level.Test cricket needs players who have the experience at the highest level and India has no choice but to continue for a few years(read one or two)with these veterans who have loads of experience and most importantly they are supposed to see through the transformation phase.

Ramesh Powar inclusion in the team replacing Harbhajan was fair considering that Powar had a great domestic season and also performed whenever he was given a chance.On the other hand Harbhajan though was economical couldn't provide the much needed break through's that India expected from its front line spinner.Piyush Chawla's inclusion is a well thought move.India doesn't have quality leg spinner and as Kumble would be retiring from international cricket in a year or two, its high time that we develop Chawla into a world class bowler.So his inclusion was a fair,understandable and good step.

Dropping Agarkar and Pathan was always on the cards with the former not able to perform to his ability and the latter quickly fading away from what he was a few years back.Pathan's case might actually be referred to as a mystery, he showed glimpses of his talent in the very first tour that he was picked and later went on to become India's opening bowler and also contributed handsomely with the bat.But off late he seems to be at sea with his bowling losing the sting it was known for. Agarkar has been given many chances and it can't be said that he hasn't performed,but he needs to be a lot more consistent given that he is very experienced.R.P.Singh's inclusion would be interesting.I felt that he was a good bowler but he got into the team at the wrong time when there were 2-3 left arm bowlers of the likes of Zaheer,pathan etc.So his performance in the coming tour would be important for him to seal a place in the test team and be an integral part of the team.

Manoj Tiwary inclusion was no surprise considering that the Bengal lad had a great Domestic season and was expected to be picked for the tour.It is said that he is an attacking batsman and it will be intersting to see him play.Dinesh Mongia is definitely a surprising inclusion.I thought that the selectors would go for more youngsters but Dinesh Mongia doesnt fit that bill.So lets wait and see how he performs.Gambhir was always on the list and used to missed out at the last moment.So this would again be his chance to cement his place in the team.

I expected much more young faces in the team and am disappointed that BCCI couldn't take the stringent measures that was expected of it.I hope they at least tryout some youngsters during England tour.