Where have all the all-rounders gone?

[Ultimate_Game]

A nice comment by Abhishek Purohit on cricinfo...

The lack of an allrounder is the major surprise in the 15-man India squad for the limited-overs tour of Sri Lanka. It has been quite some time since there has been an India squad without at least one of Ravindra Jadeja and the Pathan brothers, all three of whom have been the chief contenders for the allrounder's position at No. 7. Jadeja's debut game in February 2009, against Sri Lanka, had also proved to be Irfan's last for close to three years, before he made a comeback in December 2011 against West Indies. The comeback has lasted eight games spread over three series. A disappointing Jadeja was surprisingly persisted with throughout the CB series in Australia earlier this year, while Irfan was restricted to four games. Jadeja's run has finally come to a halt now, but so has Irfan's. Yusuf's return has lasted all of one Asia Cup game, but his terrible IPL season seems to have gone against him. No allrounder in the squad means it is increasingly unclear as to whether anyone is ahead in the latest round in the fight for the allrounder's slot. It seems that the fight itself has been called off for the moment, which is startling for a side that has often lacked balance due to the absence of a genuine allrounder. With four specialist fast bowlers picked, it would appear as though there was at least a case for picking Irfan ahead of Vinay Kumar. The emphasis is on specialists for the series, with three spinners chosen. But that seems a luxury, given Dhoni's usual reliance on his part-time options such as Suresh Raina and Rohit Sharma. Unless India play five specialist bowlers, something Dhoni is not a fan of, the bowling resources will be under-utilised. Again, Sachin Tendulkar's pick-and-choose policy does not help the long-term balance of the squad, but when the chairman of selectors says that "Sachin is spacing it out very well", there is not much left to be said.Abhishek Purohit

Link... http://www.espncricinfo.com/sri-lanka-v-india-2012/content/current/story/570968.html Other than the point about lack of all-round options which will hurt our chances in the 2015 WC, the writer made a pretty valid point about Tendulkar's "pick and choose" policy and its long term implications for the team. Looks like the selectors and the team will have to bend over when the "I play for my country" chap decides to grace the cricket field when he deems it fit.

[saneindian]

WHich is why the exit of Irfan Pathan is shocking. Deserved a longer run in the side especially as he had done decently since his comeback.

[Ultimate_Game]

WHich is why the exit of Irfan Pathan is shocking. Deserved a longer run in the side especially as he had done decently since his comeback.

I would have gone with him... he's a handy bat down the order, is a decent fielder and in Aus (where the WC will be played) he would have been a good bowling option. We know we can't bowl part-time spinners like Raina on Aus pitches.

[MCcricket]

Cheeka is crazy and the selectors are buffoons, Irfan should be in the team , these guys should be fired, lol.

[Vilander]

Umesh is our only test class fastbowler, Pathan our only test calss all arounder. Umesh is going to get bowled to ground and pathan who needs practice wont get his.

[GautiMaan]

With four specialist fast bowlers picked, it would appear as though there was at least a case for picking Irfan ahead of Vinay Kumar.

:facepalm: The era of trundlers is not over it seems

[carnish]

Guys we are being unfair to VK i think ... He hasnt done so bad that people give comments on him .. he has rather performed decently. I would say he has done better than Aaron or Umesh even. Just cause he is a trundler doesnot mean he is ****.. plus he does bat decently too.

[koksmayu]

cricket has gone up and up levels years by years and it asking much much effort on the field and indians are lousy cant do hard work and also they wants to stay in the eleven thats why no allrounders

[The Outsider]

Cheeka is driving the team down into a trash can.

[The Realist]

^ The team resembles a trash can with old garbage endlessly recycled. Vinay Koomar can't bowl 4 overs in T20 without getting smashed and somehow he will now bowl 10. Dhoni and friends :facepalm:

[asterix]

When's Cheeka's term ending? He seems to be the chief selector since eternity...

[jj_28]

I think both Jadeja and Irfan should have been taken to the tour over Rahul and Kumar but the selectors might be looking at Raina and Rohit to play that all rounder role Rohit bowled well in West Indies and Raina can bowl as well, that still doesn't excuse their selection of Rahul Sharma and Vinay Kumar

[SLICKR392]

Rahul Sharma picked after a horrible 'A' tour? And Irfan dropped? I wonder what Dhoni might be planning...extra batsmen or an additional spinner. May be Cheeka thought Ashwin and VK was good enough to be all rounders. :dontknow:

[Clarke]

Rahul does not deserve a place, the spin legend Rohit Sharma of all counterparts was performing atleast as well in WI. And then dropping Irfan :wall:

[Crookbond]

A nice comment by Abhishek Purohit on cricinfo... Link... http://www.espncricinfo.com/sri-lanka-v-india-2012/content/current/story/570968.html Other than the point about lack of all-round options which will hurt our chances in the 2015 WC, the writer made a pretty valid point about Tendulkar's "pick and choose" policy and its long term implications for the team. Looks like the selectors and the team will have to bend over when the "I play for my country" chap decides to grace the cricket field when he deems it fit.

I don't think that "pick and choose" is going to stop after all - "I am batting well and its feels good. I am enjoying my game and I look forward to contribute to my country" (In Aila Tendlya voice) That said, I think there may be a remote possibility that there has been some plan chalked out internally between the selectors and Tendulkar which may not have been made public for myriad reasons. The question is whether that plan is indeed a good one or not . Currently, I would give it a benefit of doubt at least till the end of this year. As they say - "One series at a time".

[goggi]

:hysterical: at "All-rounders". When did we ever have all-rounders, all the rubbish coming out of Jadeja, Pathans, were just following the long line of mediocrity of the Prabhakars, Robin Singhs, Sodhis.

[Ultimate_Game]

I think both Jadeja and Irfan should have been taken to the tour over Rahul and Kumar but the selectors might be looking at Raina and Rohit to play that all rounder role Rohit bowled well in West Indies and Raina can bowl as well, that still doesn't excuse their selection of Rahul Sharma and Vinay Kumar

No point in taking Jadeja anywhere. We already saw what he had to offer on Aus tour. The next WC will be held there and I don't want to see Jadeja going at 8 an over and then scoring a 20 ball 10. Irfan can at least score runs lower down the orde and be a handy bowling option on bouncy tracks in Aus.

[MCcricket]

Irfan Pathan has taken 13 wickets in 8 matches, won few games with his bowling and also scored some runs at a fast pace, he is bowling well around 135 now, has his rhythm and swing, how on earth can he be dropped. If given a chance to bat up he can easily average mid 30's, has a good technique can score at 100 plus and also plays fast bowlers well, something is wrong here, Selectors, Dhoni are Idi!@#, a genuine allrounder who can bowl and bat , left handed, wicket taker, whole hearted cricketer, if he is not injured something is wrong with our system. His bowling alone he can be in place of Vinay, how on earth does Vinay play and Irfan is out, compare thei:finger:r bowling and Vinay's non existing batting, wow what idiI!@#.

[CoverDrive]

this is completely opposite to what sri lanka are doing. Matthews perera and even kulasekara are fast bowling all rounders who are making the team very strong. This time pitches may not suit spinners and pace attack is their strenght now and it will be a disaster as all our part timers are spinners.

[Ultimate_Game]

this is completely opposite to what sri lanka are doing. Matthews perera and even kulasekara are fast bowling all rounders who are making the team very strong. This time pitches may not suit spinners and pace attack is their strenght now and it will be a disaster as all our part timers are spinners.

Loins for once have got it right. They know the next WC is in Aus and they will need to bank on pacers and fast bowling all-rounders would be worth their weight in gold. India on the other hand have regressed and are not even trying to make use of one decent pace all-rounder they have in Irfan Pathan. India will not be able to get away bowling the likes of Raina, Sehwag, Rohit etc. as 5th bowling option in Aus. They will need to have someone like Irfan to chip in with a few overs and runs down the order. If we go to Aus banking on part-time spinners we will not even make it to semis.