What do you want the starting XIs vs Banglas to be...

[Chandan]

Re: What do you want the starting XIs vs Banglas to be... Sooda, I'll never have Chopra with another defensive partner. And what is the proof that he has got better than what he was 3 years back?

[Chandan]

Re: What do you want the starting XIs vs Banglas to be... No player should take place in team for granted (ASHIS RAY'S ANALYSIS) Team selection in cricket has historically had two distinct schools of thought. The English way has been to pick a captain first, then the rest of the players. The Australian approach has been to short-list the best side before focussing on the skipper. The differing policies have been vividly illustrated in the current World Cup. England, after the disaster in the Ashes test series, reverted to Michael Vaughan, notwithstanding his previous failures as a one-day batsman and lack of match practice in the past year and a half. The stratagem misfired. On the other hand, the Australian wisdom is still working wonderfully well. India have generally adhered to the English modus operandi. Of course, in the present instance, Rahul Dravid is an automatic choice in both the test and limited overs elevens. Therefore, the matter is not really an issue. A selection committee must enjoy autonomy and be permitted to nominate players as per their cricketing judgment. Such independence has, unfortunately, been impinged upon by the BCCI bosses directing Dilip Vengsarkar and his colleagues conjure youthful squads for the visit to Bangladesh. Youth for youth's sake is a foolish, knee-jerk and populist response to India's failure in the World Cup. Any cricketer chosen must be good enough to represent his country. Quite early in his tenure as chairman of selectors, Vengsarkar stated on record that there was very little suitable talent available for national duty. This, if anything, was ratified by even the most promising prospect, Suresh Raina, disappointing, despite disproportionate degree of opportunities granted to him. Now, though, is a window to re-experiment with the likes of Raina and also consider the more experienced Mohammed Kaif. The two will at least will enhance India's fielding, which was quite woeful in the World Cup. While Brian Lara (unsuccessfully) and Sanath Jayasuriya (with mixed fortune), at 37, have featured in the current World Cup, it is dangerous to assume that Dravid, Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar, at 38, will be good enough to figure in the 2011 World Cup. At the same time, not until the composition of an Indian XI is strong enough without them should the trio be completely eased out. In other words, their replacement should occur not hurriedly or premeditatedly, but in a systematic manner. Every series, especially in the arena of tests, is important, involving national prestige and pride. While selectors are entitled to take slight risks to build for the future, it is unacceptable that ODIs and tests with Bangladesh are treated in a cavalier manner, which is what Sharad Pawar and his colleagues have proposed. For the one-dayers against Bangladesh, the selectors should seriously examine whether Ajit Agarkar, Mahendra Dhoni, Irfan Pathan and Harbhajan Singh should be considered. Anil Kumble has already retired from the shorter format, thus at least five places in the World Cup squad should be up for grabs. Two among Gautam Gambhir, Kaif, Raina, Manoj Tiwary (who is very highly rated by Dilip Sardesai) and Rohit Sharma deserve to make the cut. VRV Singh, who has been utilised in a run-saving role in tests, can also be tried out. His extra pace and bounce may unsettle the Bangladeshis. Alternatively, Ranadeb Bose or Ishant Sharma is an option. Ramesh Powar is an obvious substitute for Harbhajan. The remaining slot should perhaps go to a spinner, either a left-armer or leg spinner. Yuvraj Singh has a long way to go to establish that he is vice-captaincy material, let alone leadership timbre. But, although as yet inconsistent, he nevertheless merits inclusion as a batsman in a test squad. Also, Gambhir has done enough to demand recognition; and the same can perhaps be said of Powar. To them, can be added either VRV or Bose and Tiwary or Rohit. No place should be deemed to be permanent. Tendulkar, Ganguly, VVS Laxman and Virender Sehwag must perform or perish. The selection process must continually lend exposure to understudies so that they are able to step into the seniors' shoes without disturbing India's showing too much. And the succession should ideally occur in a phased manner than sweepingly. ----------------------------------- Good article! For ODIs, I'd like to include Dhoni and axe the rest the author has suggested. I'd even like to rest Sachin and Ganguly if that doesn't weaken the team too much. But for tests, I'd like to have our strongest squad and at the most only Sehwag looks shaky there. So Gambhir there for one more time? Or give sehwag one more chance to redeem himself? I'm undecided here and this is the only undecided spot in tests in my opinion!