The Rahul Sharma Syndrome

[Chandan]

The Rahul Sharma Syndrome Venkat Ananth, Thursday, May 12, 2011 It's not even amusing anymore and to quickly clear the air straight away, this column is not so much about that young, tall and lanky leg-spinner from Jalandhar i.e. Rahul Sharma as it is about a mindset that has become commonplace in Indian cricket these days. The very mindset that gets us believing that any cricketer with a half-decent performance in the IPL is good enough to play international cricket. Week one this season was about Paul Valthaty, whose hundred made us believe he was, to quote some, "the future of Indian cricket". This for a lad whose credentials in what we consider our primary domestic competition, Ranji Trophy, was next to nil. The following weeks, the attention has seamlessly transitioned towards Rahul Sharma, or as excited apologists tag him, "the next Anil Kumble" -- a guy who takes a wicket every 85 balls in First Class cricket - a number so modest, he'd struggle to take the Australian spinner's spot, and this isn't an exaggeration. Tomorrow, there will be another such story, the next Zaheer Khan, the next Harbhajan Singh, the next Paul Valthathy, perhaps. Is this what a fledgling cricketer needs to do to make it to the highest level? A few performances, 4 over spells, 10-ball 30s to make it to the Indian one-day/Test team, World Champions in either formats no less? I ask humbly, do we even have a proper reward system in place or are we looking for cricketing Justin Biebers i.e. overnight sensations? DEVELOPING A REWARD SYSTEM Like most issues, there are two sides to this debate. One which firmly believes that India's best interests lie in a reward system that takes the whole into account, over the part. The whole, where performances in First Class cricket precede miniature acts in a six-week slogathon. There is the other view, which encapsulates and argues that the IPL is near-international standard and performances here count for more than events that unfolded six months earlier. In effect, the latter amounts to the ultimate insult or ridicule to a system that, over the past seventy years, has been the bedrock of Indian cricket and has contributed world class performers. That view to me, is the Rahul Sharma Syndrome. It also brings us to the question about what we are expecting from the IPL. Is it a level of reward and recognition for budding cricketers, a platform for them to kind of show what they are capable of, or a de facto selection tournament, an opportunity where a few performances could seal an India cap? The answer may well lie in Rahul's impending selection for the West Indies tour. One of the common arguments in favour of picking players straight from the IPL is the point that they're adept at handling pressure, given that they play before huge crowds with a lot at stake and their performances coming under intense scrutiny. Sure. But ever thought of a lad, waking in the morning, almost like a farmer ploughing away, playing in the most unheard of places, in front of crows and empty seats, and yet picking wickets by the bucketful? That's your Ranji bowler, making that India cap his sole determination and goal. And if playing in before empty chairs in games even selectors don't attend isn't motivation enough, I am afraid nothing is. Mind you, the problem isn't the IPL, the problem is how we choose to see it. Which is precisely I ask why a little-known bowler like Rahul Sharma should jump the queue and make it ahead of consistent performers in First Class cricket. Take the case of Iqbal Abdulla, who, by all means deserves to be in contention for an Indian one-day spot, not by his exploits for the Kolkata franchise but the Mumbai Ranji team, where his improvement graph has only been moving upwards. During the 2009-10 Ranji season, Abdulla was the stock bowler, defensive both in intent and execution, with the luxury of his batsmen scoring close to 400+ runs in the majority matches of their Ranji campaign. His job was simple - to keep the runs tight. His left-arm spin over the wicket and outside leg-stump is colloquially called negative bowling. In the season of 2010-11, Abdulla showed considerable improvement and has emerged as Mumbai's leading wicket-taker and the second highest wicket-taking spinner in the season after Bhargav Bhatt. He started flighting the ball ever well, varying his pace and trajectory according to situations and importantly, there was an attacking intent which was refreshing to see from a young spinner, given the times we live in today. This against Rahul, who is out of favour with his own Ranji team, Punjab who prefer left-arm spinner Bipul Sharma to him, which then begs the question, how can someone not an automatic choice for their First Class team squeeze himself into the reckoning for the national setup? Simply because he has an economy rate of 5.60 in 10 IPL matches for his franchise and some wickets to go with that? I hope not. WHAT DO WE DO WITH RAHUL AND VALTHATY? This brings us to another fundamental problem with this reward system. Now that they're in the limelight, what do we do with the likes of Rahul and Valthaty? In the case of Rahul, who is still young, perhaps the IPL exposure was the break he was waiting for, proving a few in the Punjab selection committee wrong along the way. If anything, his performances in the IPL have more or less ensured a place in the Punjab set-up, where two good seasons would put him in contention for an India cap. As a leg-spinner, there are certain attributes you carry with yourself - the ability to attack no matter what, bowl fuller Test match lengths, draw the batsmen into mistakes, work him over with a sustained spell and importantly, bowling to different kinds of batsmen, different situations that unfortunately don't emerge in Twenty20 matches. Most importantly, develop a temperament for a leg-spinner, which requires a degree of patience, persistence, relentlessly hovering around middle and leg-stump and importantly, from whatever little I've seen of him, the lad needs to learn to give the ball a classical, mighty rip. To prematurely liken him to Anil Kumble because he doesn't turn the ball, is the greatest disservice to a legend of Indian cricket, for Kumble embodied qualities that at times outdid his talent, which wasn't limited by no means. This is precisely why I reckon Rahul Sharma is not ready for international cricket. Only after two good years of education in Indian dustbowls can the jury can decide if he's good enough. Till then, let's collectively give him a break. Ditto for Valthaty, I'd imagine, though his age is a factor in where his future might lie. If anything, he's trumped a few mediocre non-performers in the Mumbai ranks to give himself a last shot at first-class cricket. That's all. In sum, it would be fair to say that Indian cricket has a choice to make about the reward template it chooses to follow. First-class cricket is something that most Test-playing nations recognize and consider their primary feeder system for international cricket and long may that stay, given that an odd good tournament must never be the guiding mark of consistency or even talent at its finality. The challenge for Indian cricket is to resist popular temptation. The IPL era has changed perceptions about a cricketer's talent, which is considered high without even a semblance of experience in levels below international cricket. If we can hold back this urge to blood quick-sand talents and give thoroughbred, nurtured and consistent performers the chances they deserve, Indian cricket would have most definitely overcome that Rahul Sharma Syndrome. --------------------------------------------------------- Check the date of of the column. The author had anticipated the selectors who have already done so many random selections which defy logic, will fall for these guys who are not even regulars for their state teams. One has been handed the India cap and another the Challenger cap. Can the selectors explain why they've done that? How are they expecting to build team for future? Are Valthaty, Rahul Sharma, S Anirudh, Jalaj Saxena and so many other players our future one day play players? If they are, then at least I should retire from watching Indian cricket.

[rkt.india]

rubbish article in terms of analyzing. Valthaty is not selected for Indian team and Rahul Sharma is selected for ODIs, not test matches and Rahul Sharma's one day domestic record whatever he has played is very impressive. This is what you call identifying a talent, some times we need to do this. It was not just only about Rahul Sharma's performance in IPL. It was the way he bowled and he bowled to best in the business. Some times, these writers need to make difference in two different formats. He does not have good FC record which is relevant if he would have been selected for test matches. He is selected for ODIs where in domestic one day matches his record is quite good. I dont understand why these guys as well as selectors mixes and first class and test to domestic One day and ODIs. He is saying Abdulla should be in ODI team based on hsi performance in Ranji trophy FC matches for Mumbai. He is asking to pick Abdulla for ODIs based on his FC performance, while FC and ODIs are completely different formats. Abudlla is a good bowler, but this method to pick is not good too. Pick players based on the relevant formats they play in domestic cricket, like ODD to ODI and FC to test. Biggest problem is nepotism and zonal system. Now As Jagdale became secretary, he is calling players from his state like Jalaj and Sudhindra.

[msb1991]

The key issue is that ODD cricket in India is so low profile that it is considered barely a respected form of cricket. I think the Ranji Trophy is fine but the whole business of Ranji OD cricket, Deodhar Trophy and Challenger Trophy needs to be streamlined.

[rkt.india]

The key issue is that ODD cricket in India is so low profile that it is considered barely a respected form of cricket. I think the Ranji Trophy is fine but the whole business of Ranji OD cricket' date=' Deodhar Trophy and Challenger Trophy needs to be streamlined.[/quote'] but why ODD cricket is low while those players who play in Ranji FC play in ODD too, so why we should lower the standard. I do not see a lower standard than Ranji FC tournament. WE also have Devdhar trophy where zonal teams play one days matches. That is really contradicting because players are same. If they are not good for ODD then how they are good for FC which is even tougher format. Thing is if we think our ODD is not good enough then similarly our Ranji FC is not good enough too to pick players because players are same who play in both formats. This is why I always prefer to pick players based on potential and talent and what we see in them to be successful rather than just go by stats of domestic cricket. Stats matter, but to an extent. and we also should not mix the players picked on the basis of zonal system and nepotism and relate them to IPL picks, like in case of Anirudha. It is a clear case of nepotism. Jalaj, Sudhindra case of zonal favoritism. There are other examples too like these.

[saneindian]

When was the last time an Indian spinner got into the team without playing for India A or even his zonal side? As good as Rahul Sharma may be, he should have been playing in the challenger trophy rather than being in the 15 for the national side. After the Irani trophy and Challenger trophy, if he was selected, it would have looked logical.

[rkt.india]

When was the last time an Indian spinner got into the team without playing for India A or even his zonal side? As good as Rahul Sharma may be' date=' he should have been playing in the challenger trophy rather than being in the 15 for the national side. After the Irani trophy and Challenger trophy, if he was selected, it would have looked logical.[/quote'] He was in emerging squad remember quite similar to Aravind but both did not go because of injury and talking about state of zone. I dont think he was even in his Punjab team last season because of the illness of Bell's Palsy he had suffered. I should says his selection is sudden and not many expected right now, including me, but problem is we just cannot talk about any logic with this selection committee. All logical thinking, selection, and vision are very far from them whenever they select a team, otherwise we wont see selections of Vinay again and again and now Aravind.

[asterix]

I think some of the players have been selected to have the 'surprise factor'..England team heavily relies on research on individual opposition players. But they were outdone by some new WI bowlers in the last T20 match. So that could be one of the factors of Rahul's selection.

[gakgupta]

Now that selector gave him a nod, i would really want him to see in playing X1. Off what i have seen, he is an economical bowler and can be used effectively in the slog overs

[div]

Dhoni n Mishra:hmmm:

[Sooda]

rubbish article in terms of analyzing. Valthaty is not selected for Indian team and Rahul Sharma is selected for ODIs, not test matches and Rahul Sharma's one day domestic record whatever he has played is very impressive. This is what you call identifying a talent, some times we need to do this. It was not just only about Rahul Sharma's performance in IPL. It was the way he bowled and he bowled to best in the business. Some times, these writers need to make difference in two different formats. He does not have good FC record which is relevant if he would have been selected for test matches. He is selected for ODIs where in domestic one day matches his record is quite good. I dont understand why these guys as well as selectors mixes and first class and test to domestic One day and ODIs. He is saying Abdulla should be in ODI team based on hsi performance in Ranji trophy FC matches for Mumbai. He is asking to pick Abdulla for ODIs based on his FC performance, while FC and ODIs are completely different formats. Abudlla is a good bowler, but this method to pick is not good too. Pick players based on the relevant formats they play in domestic cricket, like ODD to ODI and FC to test. Biggest problem is nepotism and zonal system. Now As Jagdale became secretary, he is calling players from his state like Jalaj and Sudhindra.

As Chandan said the date here is key, written in May so he is just addressing the clamour for IPL stars to play for India. I have not checked but am willing to bet Iqbals List A record is better than Sharmas, yes Sharmas is ok, though not exactly longstanding. The point is a good one- Iqbal has shown improvement over time, Rahul has bowled a few good spells in T20 cricket. This is the reason why Aravind is here too really (though again I do not know of his List A exploits) thing is the selectors have been here before with Gony and Dinda and Asnodkar who played for India A I think and it was proved that IPL stars are not necessarily good enough for Internationals. youd think theyd have learnt

[rkt.india]

As Chandan said the date here is key' date= written in May so he is just addressing the clamour for IPL stars to play for India. I have not checked but am willing to bet Iqbals List A record is better than Sharmas, yes Sharmas is ok, though not exactly longstanding. The point is a good one- Iqbal has shown improvement over time, Rahul has bowled a few good spells in T20 cricket. This is the reason why Aravind is here too really (though again I do not know of his List A exploits) thing is the selectors have been here before with Gony and Dinda and Asnodkar who played for India A I think and it was proved that IPL stars are not necessarily good enough for Internationals. youd think theyd have learnt

But why? tell me the name of players who are selected only based on IPL and how many players are selected based on IPL performance solely, tell me. Iqbal abdulla can be picked and will be picked in future, but problem is we already have 2 left spinners in Jadeja and Ojha and both are good that is why Abdulla is not selected. We now need leg spinner that is why Mishra was given chances and now Rahul Sharma, though I would say this is a surprising selection right now. Rahul Sharma ODD record: Mat Inns Balls Runs Wkts BBI BBM Ave Econ SR 4w 5w 10 13 13 649 464 25 4/28 4/28 18.56 4.28 25.9 Iqbal Adbulla: 37 36 1864 1325 64 5/38 5/38 20.70 4.26 29.1 2 1 0 Both are good, but we already have left arm spinners. While Abdulla too have an FC average of 30 and SR of 67 which is not great to be exact. Asnodkar was an India A player because he had a good of his FC season. Dinda too is not selected just because of IPL. He was a regular member for Bengal in Ramji FC and ODDs and done decently well. There was only Manpreet Gony who was selected based on IPL performance and then dropped unnecessarily while they could have persisted with him. He did not do any thing badly in 2 matches he played on flattest of wickets where everyone was thrashed. Gony may have been good or bad at international level, but they did not persist with him, did not give him much chances to improve and develop and rather now giving chances to likes of Vinay and Gony certainly has better talent than Aravind and Vinay. Problem is not like giving chances to guys from IPL based on their talent, problem is if they select some one, they need to persist with him. How a Gony could prove himself in 2 ODIs?

[Chandan]

rubbish article in terms of analyzing. Valthaty is not selected for Indian team and Rahul Sharma is selected for ODIs, not test matches and Rahul Sharma's one day domestic record whatever he has played is very impressive. This is what you call identifying a talent, some times we need to do this. It was not just only about Rahul Sharma's performance in IPL. It was the way he bowled and he bowled to best in the business. Some times, these writers need to make difference in two different formats. He does not have good FC record which is relevant if he would have been selected for test matches. He is selected for ODIs where in domestic one day matches his record is quite good. I dont understand why these guys as well as selectors mixes and first class and test to domestic One day and ODIs. He is saying Abdulla should be in ODI team based on hsi performance in Ranji trophy FC matches for Mumbai. He is asking to pick Abdulla for ODIs based on his FC performance, while FC and ODIs are completely different formats. Abudlla is a good bowler, but this method to pick is not good too. Pick players based on the relevant formats they play in domestic cricket, like ODD to ODI and FC to test. Biggest problem is nepotism and zonal system. Now As Jagdale became secretary, he is calling players from his state like Jalaj and Sudhindra.

And I disagree with whatever you have said. Just read the first line that I have written: "check the date of the article". This article was written in May when Rahul was not chosen but the author had anticipated that he would soon be handed a India-cap based on IPL showings and he has been . Rahul has played 13 List A matches, that too with teams which are in Ranji Plate, has taken 25 wickets only and suddenly he is better than even Ojha to be chosen in ODIs? How? What is logic behind it? And if this is a rubbish article, I think I don't even have words for selection!!

[Pagalpanti]

Didn't bother to read after you questioned Rahul's inclusion. Look at his LA record.

[rkt.india]

And I disagree with whatever you have said. Just read the first line that I have written: "check the date of the article". This article was written in May when Rahul was not chosen but the author had anticipated that he would soon be handed a India-cap based on IPL showings and he has been . Rahul has played 13 List A matches, that too with teams which are in Ranji Plate, has taken 25 wickets only and suddenly he is better than even Ojha to be chosen in ODIs? How? What is logic behind it? And if this is a rubbish article, I think I don't even have words for selection!!

But we only have left arm spinner in Jadeja, so how relevant it is to select two left arm spinners, while Ojha is in no way a Murli or Warne, cannot bat, cannot field, etc, too. It is not like OJha has not played before and we know how he is just an orthodox left arm spinner that is why they did not pick Ojha in ODIs and they went for a leg spinner as we need to find leg spinner now. This is a series to try new guys. IfF we wont try new guys, we wont get any. Article is rubbish because comparing one day and FC or tests. Don't know why so many people are unable to differentiate and think on different lines regarding different formats. I dont see any player picked fro tests based on IPL. Do you see? They can certainly be picked for ODIs based on their talents. Rahul Sharma's average in ODDs is 18 which is certainly not very good in whatever teams he plays whether it is plate or elite. IMO, there is no plate or elite in Ranji ODD matches and If you say plate, one of same plate team Rajasthan is Ranji champion and Rajasthan was also Ranji one day champions 2-3 years ago, so elite and plate argument does not stand. You may not have seen him, but we all have seen him how he bowled in IPL last year. He troubled every one from SRT to Pollard and Dhoni to Gayle and did not let them play freely.

[saneindian]

Amit Mishra didn't get an ODI after doing so well in WI. Yes, he was rubbish in the test matches, but havent they discarded him unfairly for the ODIs? Deserved a longer run based on how well he bowled in WI ODIs.

[rkt.india]

Amit Mishra didn't get an ODI after doing so well in WI. Yes' date=' he was rubbish in the test matches, but havent they discarded him unfairly for the ODIs? Deserved a longer run based on how well he bowled in WI ODIs.[/quote'] he sat out because he was bowling too many no balls.

[rkt.india]

And if this is a rubbish article, I think I don't even have words for selection!!

Don't live in preconceived thoughts. Whatever these guys write is not right always. They are always pessimistic and will never write anything good. According to what they suggest in their writing, India would have never been test number one and ODI world champion. Valthaty and Sharma both were praised during and after IPL because both did well in difficult circumstances they had come through. Selection of Rahul was surprising, sudden, and not many expected, but selectors were tempted to experiment with a guy who has lots of potential. While writer talked about test, you are talking about ODIs. This guy played with along side likes of Murli, Bhajji, Warne, Vettori in IPL last year and surprised every one with his controlled and intelligent bowling with an economy of less than 6 in 14 matches and 16 wickets as well. You are saying you don't have words for selection. We have seen more rubbish selection than this in our cricketing history.

[MCcricket]

I agree Rahul Sharma needs to be persisted with , same with aSHWIN AND pRAGYAN FOR TEST, Gony anyday better then V KUMar , mITHUN, Unadkat, and he had a g8 season last year.I think specially bowling wise , selectors dont have an idea of bowlers potential or class

[msb1991]

but why ODD cricket is low while those players who play in Ranji FC play in ODD too' date=' so why we should lower the standard. I do not see a lower standard than Ranji FC tournament. WE also have Devdhar trophy where zonal teams play one days matches. That is really contradicting because players are same. If they are not good for ODD then how they are good for FC which is even tougher format.[/quote'] In Ranji OD, don't the Plate teams play alongside the Super League teams without any distinction. This would lower the level for top level cricketers, quite a bit.

[rkt.india]

In Ranji OD' date=' don't the Plate teams play alongside the Super League teams without any distinction. This would lower the level for top level cricketers, quite a bit.[/quote'] But didn't a Ranji plate team won Ranji Trophy last season? and same team had won Ranji ODD 2-3 year ago. And all our players come through this system which is so low that a plate team won Ranji trophy.