In another time, the announcement of an Indian squad without the names of Anil Kumble and Javagal Srinath would have provoked consternation. But Indian cricket has thankfully progressed to a point that it represents an opportunity rather than a problem. The spinner who benefits from Kumble's absence is Murali Kartik, and deservedly so. Kumble was jaded and ineffectual in the two games that he played in the one-day series against West Indies. Kartik got a bit of stick in the last game, but was superb in the three he played before that. He wasn't scared to give the ball air, he spun the ball a fair bit and his variations in trajectory and speed were well disguised and hard to counter. Most importantly, he showed aggression, which is a wonderful quality for a spinner to have.

If Kumble was available, he would have been preferred to Kartik. But should he have been? Kumble's bowling average in New Zealand is just over 40, marginally worse than his deplorable overseas average of 39.9. There are two reasons he's played as many as 37 Tests overseas: one, the sheen of his spectacular successes on dustbowls at home; and two, the lack of options. Now, when Harbhajan Singh has already taken over as India's first-choice spinner, and a viable option has emerged for the second spinner's slot, it is time for Kumble to be gently eased out.

Srinath's case is not so cut-and-dried. He is over the hill and more mercurial than ever in his performances, but he has survived so long because India had no options. Zaheer Khan took the opportunity provided by Srinath's absence in England and established himself as India's spearhead, but the others have been pathetic. Ashish Nehra and Ajit Agarkar have the talent but not the temperament or, it would appear, the intelligence. Men like Tinu Yohannan and L Balaji have been tried out but haven't looked the part.

Yet, despite Srinath being India's second-best seamer, there is merit in resting him, for two reasons. One, India must learn to live without him. And two, he can still be useful in the World Cup, and considering the fragility of his physique, it is best to make sure he is fresh and fit for that.

India have opted to select two wicketkeepers in Parthiv Patel and Ajay Ratra which, for such a short tour, is baffling. Rahul Dravid will take over the gloves for the one-dayers, which means Ratra will be backup for Patel in case one tour game and two Tests are too much for him. It is a waste of a place.

SS Das and Mohammad Kaif are the back-up batsmen on the tour, and deservedly so. Virender Sehwag and Sanjay Bangar have done a good job at the top of the order so far, but both are relatively new to the position at this level of the game, and it made sense to have a back-up for them. Das was the best man. Kaif beat out Yuvraj Singh and Dinesh Mongia to a place in the squad, which is sensible, for he is the best bet out of them for the long term. His technique and temperamant are such that he can fill a vacancy anywhere in the order – even opening the batting – and his fielding is worth a few runs by itself.

Amit Varma is assistant editor of Wisden.com in India.

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