The whole of India and expats around the world are slowly adjusting to the high of beating the Aussies in their own den. This high will wane in effect over the next few days but it will only truly come down when the next series with South Africa starts in India at the end of this month.
There have been a few words of caution especially for the U-19 world-cup winning team to not go overboard with success. I reckon a word of caution is in order for the senior team too. No, I do not think the senior team are under threat of becoming complacent or loose but I do think the senior team are under threat of overwork. Just as the Australians looked jaded towards the end of the CB series, the long summmer seemed to be taking toll of the visitors too. Sachin was definitely struggling and if it had been anyone but Sachin, he would have cracked in the finals. Yuvraj is still in recovery and is at least a month away from full match fitness. Most of all, Dhoni is ignoring a few niggles that are beginning to crop up. It is a bad habit he is falling into - Ignoring these niggles will only lead to an injury over an entire season or two. Given Dhoni's workload, he must be well managed by the selectors.
It is ideal that the selectors had the farsight to deny Dhoni the test captaincy for the time being. To prove their worth, they must manage his playing commitments too especially with the BCCI coming up with new events like the IPL. For starters, they should look to use the reserve keeper in Dinesh Karthik wisely. For one thing, it will keep Dhoni on his toes because, I do not consider him, at present, to be an automatic selection in the test eleven. He has still to prove himself as a batting all-rounder. Secondly, it is an ideal chance to keep a reserve keeper match-fit, ready and raring to go.
Ideally, the selectors should inform Dhoni about resting him for the first two tests of the Ind vs SA series. Karthik could play as a opener and wicket-keeper and partner Sehwag at the top. It would allow Kumble to play Yuvraj who I suppose will be fully fit by the end of this month. It would give Ganguly and Dravid time to prove their test form and the selectors will not be blamed for not giving these two giants a last chance to prove their test-worthiness. I reckon Dravid will be back with a bang but Ganguly will struggle with the pace and lift of the South African attack; then again, I would be the happiest person if Ganguly proves me wrong yet again!
Then, in the last test, the selectors must give Sachin a break. He must not be put through the grind of three back to back tests so soon after the summer down under. Come on folks, Sachin is special; AGREED: but he is not superhuman!!
My squad of 14 for the first two tests would be:
Kumble (c), Sehwag, Karthik (wk), Dravid, Sachin, Laxman, Ganguly, Yuvraj, Harbhajan, Zaheer, RP Singh, Ishant, IK Pathan, Sreesanth.
In case RP or Ishant are injured, VRV Singh must be given a chance given his recent domestic performances. Depending on pitch conditions, Chawla may be given a spot replacing a paceman. It is unlikely that India will play three spinners. Gone are the days of the dust bowls; Indian cricket has finally come of age!!!
There have been a few words of caution especially for the U-19 world-cup winning team to not go overboard with success. I reckon a word of caution is in order for the senior team too. No, I do not think the senior team are under threat of becoming complacent or loose but I do think the senior team are under threat of overwork. Just as the Australians looked jaded towards the end of the CB series, the long summmer seemed to be taking toll of the visitors too. Sachin was definitely struggling and if it had been anyone but Sachin, he would have cracked in the finals. Yuvraj is still in recovery and is at least a month away from full match fitness. Most of all, Dhoni is ignoring a few niggles that are beginning to crop up. It is a bad habit he is falling into - Ignoring these niggles will only lead to an injury over an entire season or two. Given Dhoni's workload, he must be well managed by the selectors.
It is ideal that the selectors had the farsight to deny Dhoni the test captaincy for the time being. To prove their worth, they must manage his playing commitments too especially with the BCCI coming up with new events like the IPL. For starters, they should look to use the reserve keeper in Dinesh Karthik wisely. For one thing, it will keep Dhoni on his toes because, I do not consider him, at present, to be an automatic selection in the test eleven. He has still to prove himself as a batting all-rounder. Secondly, it is an ideal chance to keep a reserve keeper match-fit, ready and raring to go.
Ideally, the selectors should inform Dhoni about resting him for the first two tests of the Ind vs SA series. Karthik could play as a opener and wicket-keeper and partner Sehwag at the top. It would allow Kumble to play Yuvraj who I suppose will be fully fit by the end of this month. It would give Ganguly and Dravid time to prove their test form and the selectors will not be blamed for not giving these two giants a last chance to prove their test-worthiness. I reckon Dravid will be back with a bang but Ganguly will struggle with the pace and lift of the South African attack; then again, I would be the happiest person if Ganguly proves me wrong yet again!
Then, in the last test, the selectors must give Sachin a break. He must not be put through the grind of three back to back tests so soon after the summer down under. Come on folks, Sachin is special; AGREED: but he is not superhuman!!
My squad of 14 for the first two tests would be:
Kumble (c), Sehwag, Karthik (wk), Dravid, Sachin, Laxman, Ganguly, Yuvraj, Harbhajan, Zaheer, RP Singh, Ishant, IK Pathan, Sreesanth.
In case RP or Ishant are injured, VRV Singh must be given a chance given his recent domestic performances. Depending on pitch conditions, Chawla may be given a spot replacing a paceman. It is unlikely that India will play three spinners. Gone are the days of the dust bowls; Indian cricket has finally come of age!!!
3 comments:
Don't you think Badrinath should get a chance? And what happens when Zaheer regains fitness- hopefully by the second test against SA? Shd Ishant and Praveen remain only ODI bowlers? So many questions..... sigh!
But I fully agree on the need to give our players more rest and a less demanding schedule. Now that IPL is a reality, it only complicates matters.
Dale Steyn has been on fire these last few months and it remains to be seen how he fares on Indian wickets.
Our bowling will be all right given that RP will be back. Alongwith Sreesanth, Ishant and VRV Singh, it will make a good test squad. We only need two pacemen coz Bhajji and Anil are sure to start all three tests.
I guess Chennai will be a tricky wicket since it has been relaid but Kanpur and Ahmedabad should be suitable to Indian spinners.
It will be a much sterner test for the Indians than in the past when SA come quite unprepared to Indian conditions. This time, they have acclimatised to sub-continental conditions in B'desh and their fast bowling looks fit and in order. Still I will keep my fingers crossed that Dale Steyn will not go through 5 tests without a single niggle!!
good insight!..will contine reading ur blog for cricket!....:)
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