Four years ago against India in Adelaide, Adam Gilchrist dropped a catch offered by VVS Laxman, it wasn’t a straight forward catch but one that Gilchrist has taken on numerous occasions over his 96 game career. At that time the Gilchrist realised he just didn’t have the reflexes and the concentration required to play test cricket. Gilchrist immediately advised Ricky Ponting he had enough and wanted to retire. Gilchrist knew the future of Australia cricket was in good hands with Brad Haddin and it was good time to leave the game.
Four years after that incident, Indians are back in town and the emphasis is on the Indian selectors to make bold decisions. Some of the Indian players need take a page out of Gili’s book or face humiliation of being dropped.
No doubt the team selected for the tour was correct and the seniors were to be given a chance to achieve their dreams. Now the dream is dead and it is time to make the tough calls. If the rumour about the retirement of VVS Laxman is true then he should have done it after Day 2 of the Perth test, similar to Gilchrist in Adelaide. Instead the selectors now have a tough decision to make if VVS Laxman is to retire then should he be selected for the farewell test? Not only does this stop Rohit Sharma from a test debut but what does Laxman achieve from a final innings in a dead rubber test match? It is imperative the Indian selectors lay down the law and ensure Rohit Sharma is picked in Adelaide. It will send the correct message when it comes to “phasing” out rest of the senior players.
Not only should Rohit be picked, but Virat should also be asked to bat at number 3 by the team management. Rahul Dravid might be the best number in the past, but how long is Rahul going to be around? Wasn’t Ricky Ponting Australia’s best number 3 batsman? Michael Clarke asked him to bat at number 4 for the benefit of Australian cricket.
The Indian selectors were bold after the 2007 world cup failure. Faith was put on shoulders of youth and they have delivered in the shorter format. Time has come to trust the youngsters and be brave while handling the senior members.
Yes, people are taught in Indian culture to respect elders but it doesn’t mean the youngsters should be intimated by seniors. Currently, it seems the selectors are intimidated by the presence of Tendulkar, Dravid and Laxman. It is no fault of these three batsmen as they deserve the respect but the selectors and coaching staff need to lay down the law at times as well. Cricket Australia told Steve Waugh his time was up and he obliged, Mark Taylor also went the same way. Experts such as Harsha Bhogle always say”we do things differently in India” but isn’t it time we changed it?
The scenario before Australian tour that reflects the selectors and coaching staff were clearly not ready to hurt the senior batsman. After the second test match against West Indies, Umesh Yadav was rested to have a look at Varun Aaron, then why wasn’t a VVS Laxman or Dravid rested to look at a Rahane or Rohit Sharma? Dravid and Laxman had both scored hundreds in previous test matches so it wasn’t a question of form or much need batting practise.
Not only was the opportunity missed to give Rohit Sharma and Rahane a chance but more importantly it would have indicated to the seniors the “phasing” period had already begun. Since there was no such opportunity the selectors and coaching staff are now facing a cut throat decision.
Watching Rohit Sharma play the net bowlers with ease is enthralling , watching Rahane perfect his technique and receiving applause from Dravid is exciting, but only to the viewers. How frustrating is it for such players they can’t don’t get an opportunity to show their skills on the field, especially when the test are dead rubbers? Why shouldn’t these players lose a little bit of respect for the seniors? Do the seniors believe they are bigger than the game ? One doesn’t hope so as they have given the game and India so much over the last 15 years. It is time for them to draw the line and start the compromise from their end as well.
Clearly it is the culture and the mindset that is holding back the beginning of new chapter. The ball sits in the selector’s court and the decision needs to be bold. It will be a real shame for Indian cricket if the likes of Rohit Sharma and Ajinka Rahane disappear like their fellow Mumbaikar Amol Muzumdar. There is no time for fairytales. It is time for change and time to take bold decisions similar to one made by Adam Gilchrist four years ago in Adelaide.
Hey Gaurav, well put !
ReplyDeleteI do agree with the fact that age/experience should not take preference over merit.
But I do also think that all the Indian batsmen have been under-prepared in general. We have repeatedly seen shots that should not have been played on these wickets, being played.
So, I wonder if it is just the team selection that will win India more games over-seas or is it a complete mind-set change that we need ..
Until then, I think, we stand the risk of having our weaknesses exposed when we play a team like Australia, that really leaves a few stones unturned when it comes to preparation.
Best Regards,
Manadeep
Well said Gav.
ReplyDeleteIts the first time I have seen such a hopeless Indian cricket team playing in Australia. No winning spirit at all. They are playing just because they have to. Captain behind wickets is always tight lipped with negligible contribution. The middle order batters bat like tail enders and the tail enders bat as if they are playing galli cricket match. What a shame. Looks like these guys have come here with all matches fixed with bookies!!