There wasn't much to write home about Indian team's performance in the recently concluded ICC's T20 World Cup. Dhoni's boys buckled under pressure and couldn't even make it to the semi final stage. The captain thought that IPL hangover, travel and fatigue were primary reasons for the boys not performing to their potential. His comments quite naturally sounded like an excuse [even though there could be some truth to it] and quite rightly didn't go well with the cricket loving people and experts here. It was also interesting to note that the Captain 'Cool' believed he had the country's best fifteen T20 players in his team. It appears Dhoni erred on both the counts. His comments appeared to be more of plain excuses than real reasons.
At international level, the player representing his/her country is expected to be prepared and to deliver to one's potential everytime he/she takes to field. It is undeniable that a lot of cricket is being played these days and which is making the players tired and jaded. However, the option is always available for players to be honest and opt out if one isn't fully fit or injured or one can't deliver on the day. This will make way for somebody who is raring to go and deliver. The line up for such players in waiting is long and there is adequate talent pool available.
The question is if some of these players were tired and unfit after the IPL extravaganza, why did they board the plane to West Indies. They always had the opportunity to inform BCCI that they are opting out out and use time to rejuvenate and retrain themselves for the ensuing packed calendar of international commitments. Yuvraj, Rohit, Zaheer, Harbhajan and Jadeja should have been at National Cricket Academy gaining back their fitness and form and honing their skills. Praveen should have been visiting doctors to cure his ailment rather than embarassingly breaking down on the field during an international match. Instead, these players chose to play without being ready to give their 100% and fooled the cricket loving people of this country.
Another interesting comment made by Dhoni that he had the best fifteen players available didn't fly either. If it was true, why were the likes of Pragyan Ojha, Amit Mishra, Robin Uthappa, Kohli and Badrinath not in the team. What were the bits and pieces player doing in the team. It is an accepted fact that the game of cricket is won by specialists irrespective of the format-be it Tests, ODIs or T20s. Look at the recent T20 performances of Mahela, Pieterson, Hussey, Nannes, Butt, Kallis, Swann, Mike Johnson, etc. They are all top class Test and ODI players.
Moreover, some of our frontline T20 batsmen continue to fail against the short pitched bouncers and against balls directed at rib cage. International bowlers appear to have sorted them out. Likes of Rohit, Raina, Yusuf, Jadeja and Murali have always been found susceptible to short pitch deliveries on bouncy tracks and this shortcoming gets highlighted time and again in the matches that they play on faster tracks.
Lack of fitness and unpreparedness of these batsmen add to their woes. Their shortcomings can't be hidden or masked any more. Yuvraj is a classic example at that. It is interesting that these batsmen continue to be selected in the Team despite their deficiencies and when there is enough talent available in the pool. It isn't a rocket science that any technical weaknesses can be overcome by a proper work ethic, discipline, mental toughness, training hard, taking help from experts and seniors, and being fit and strong.
Interestingly, Rohit, Raina, and Murali are touted as the next best hope to replace Sachin, Dravid and Laxman when they choose to retire. These three might have the potential and talent but it is doubtful if they could consistently perform at the highest level specifically in Tests. These three have always looked uneasy and troubled on bouncy tracks and with short pitched stuff and their dismal record proves the point. This includes Raina, who, despite scoring heavily in the recent ODIs/T20/World cup on some flat and dead tracks, failed miserably on the two bouncy tracks that he played in Carribeans. The worst part is that these gentlemen haven't ironed out their shortcomings despite repeated failures. They appear to have taken their positions in the team for granted and seem to enjoy irrational faith of the selectors.
It is an accepted fact that the selectors - driven by their allegiance to their regional cricket bosses, don't look beyond a few. The regional quota system in team selection simply breeds and patronises mediocrity and politicking. This must be done with. The selection committee needs to be constituted of the best available people in business - who know the game and have played international cricket, who understand the international competitition, who understand and know grooming of talent, who have love for cricket and nation at heart and who can rise above the pressures and petty regional politics of cricket establishment.
The question arises ...if not these then who. The talent pool in waiting does have some solid batsmen who could be worthy choices. These specialists have the right attitude, have clearly shown the potential and have gone back and consistently performed in domestic circuit over the last few years. Some of these did not disappoint in the international opportunities that they got in the past but for lack of form in one or two tournaments and the politics of cricket establishment caught up with them.
Wasim Jaffer - easily a more skillful and accomplished batsman than Raina, Rohit and Murali and who has been in cracking form for the last two years, without doubt deserves another chance at the top of the order in Tests. Technically, Jaffer looks even better equipped to face swinging and bouncing red cherry than Gambhir. He could be more useful than even Gambhir or else, Sehwag could be moved to one down. Lately, Jaffer has also performed exceptionally well in domestic ODIs and looks hungry for runs. Badrinath - another one who looks a class act, has a far better technique than Rohit or Raina, comes with a great domestic record and has proven in whatever little chances that he has got. He can come in for Sachin at No.2 in Tests and ODIs. Pujara, for his solid technique, a cool head, a consistent and prolific domestic track record and a great promise is another one who merits a look in for Tests. Kaif who seems to have been deliberately ignored for the last three years, has had reasonably good domestic seasons in the recent past and is still going strong with a few centuries this year. He is arguably the fittest cricketer around and has captained a hitherto unknown team to three Ranji finals in last three years. He looks a good pick for a suitable Test and ODI slot. The players need to be Test ready when they get a chance. Tests are no training grounds. Jaffer, Badri and Kaif - all in their early thirties will also add the much required international experience and solidity to the Test team once the stalwarts - Sachin, Dravid and Laxman leave.
It is high time BCCI feels the need for overhauling the archaic selection process and elects an All India selection team which is well qualified, has a vision, can look around, is open to grooming of talent, takes its job as a mission and can rise above regions, politics and bias to help build the best possible team for today and future.
