Selectors played it safe again
Partab Ramchand - 18 February 2002
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Gautam Gambhir could well ask what more he has to do to get into
the Indian team. If scoring a double century in a tour match on
the eve of the first Test is no guarantee for a berth in the
side, there is little else, it would seem, that a young promising
aspirant for the India could do to squeeze into the national
squad. One must also not forget that the 20-year-old Delhi
batsman had got a double hundred against Railways in the Ranji
Trophy pre-quarterfinal last month. Is this, in any way, a
reflection of the strength of the Indian batting line-up?
In a way, it could be a sign. One recalls how in the 80s a
consistent run-getter like KP Bhaskar just could not get a look
in since the Indian middle-order was so packed with classy
players. But then Gambhir is an opening batsman and that is why
his omission deserves a closer look. Gambhir is very promising
with a good future but where is the place for him in the team,"
Chandu Borde is quoted to have said. The chairman of the
selection committee has a point, though not an entirely
satisfying one.
With the middle-order having a clear `no vacancy' sign, any new
batsman can get in only at the top, where there is more than
elbow room for an opening partner for Shiv Sundar Das. But
Gambhir is an opening batsman, so why is it so difficult for the
talented left-hander to get in after such a splendid record? This
is where the compromise theory comes in.
With the Indian think-tank persisting with the policy of playing
seven batsmen (including the wicketkeeper) and four bowlers, Deep
Dasgupta takes the place of Das' partner. With the middle-order
being manned by Dravid, Tendulkar, Ganguly, Laxman and Sehwag,
where is the place for another batsman?
There are only four remaining places and these have to be
occupied by the bowlers in the absence of an all-rounder. Indeed,
it is this absence of an all-rounder that has led to the
selectors adopting the policy of six batsmen, a wicketkeeper and
four bowlers. Ideally, five bowlers would give the team a better
chance of winning. But that would mean playing only five batsmen
and the Indian think-tank obviously does not aim to take the
risk. This kind of safe policy is probably warranted against
Australia and South Africa but against Zimbabwe a more aggressive
outlook is called for.
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Unfortunately, Indian selectors have generally been conservative
and cautious in their thinking; the bold, innovative approach has
been the exception rather than the rule. Other than this
compromise policy that has led to Gambhir's exclusion, there is
not much in the team to merit comment. The return of Zaheer Khan
was always on the cards after his fiery bowling of late. After
looking a certainty in the side for much of the past year or so,
he was dropped for the recent Test series against England
following an indifferent tour of South Africa.
Indeed, the 23-year-old left arm paceman was struggling with both
form and fitness. He was in the squad for the six-match one-day
series against England, but did not play in any of the matches.
Happily, this bleak period seems to be behind him and at the
moment, he does seem to be the ideal partner for Javagal Srinath.
The wicketkeeper's slot was clearly a toss up between Dasgupta
and Ajay Ratra. As a wicketkeeper, there is little doubt that the
latter is the better prospect but the Bengal stumper gets a berth
because of his better batting, a department in which he shone
during the Test series against England. After all, Borde himself
has admitted that while Ratra was probably the better
wicketkeeper, Dasgupta was selected for balancing purposes.
Tinu Yohannan did enough against England to warrant a place in
the squad as reserve medium-pacer. It is unlikely he will play at
Nagpur, a venue that does not encourage the playing of three seam
bowlers. Joining him on the sidelines should be Sanjay Bangar and
Sarandeep Singh. The remaining players, batsmen and bowlers,
picked themselves.
There really could not have been much for the selectors to think
about. Sure, some others did figure in the discussions as
admitted by the chairman but one suspects not for long. The
composition of the Indian team these days is quite water tight
and it would take an extraordinary feat or an extended good run
with the bat or ball to get a look in. If you don't subscribe to
this view, just ask Gautam Gambhir.
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