Getting out of jail!!
'We got out of jail'... this was the sentence muttered by Rahul Dravid, the Indian cricket captain after the First test match between India and England ended in a draw. I think it pretty much sums up the mood in the Indian camp. It was quite unpleasant to see the Indian players look skywards during the course of the match, literally praying for the rain to come down!
In a way, I would say it was a 'strategy' to play until the rains came down and force a draw. With only the last wicket standing, it was impossible for the team to go for a win or even hope to play out the day. What do I take from this match?
Well, for one, this test match exposed the Indian batsmen against the swing bowling. All the 'famous' quartret of Rahul, Sachin, Saurav and VVS were found wanting against a second stream England bowlers. Neither the pitch nor the conditions or the bowlers were anywhere close to threatening the batsmen. It was purely their minds that played havoc in the middle.
One gets a feeling that these guys are over their prime and are not willing to take 'risks' or play their natural game. The fear of failure looms large on them and it is affecting their natural instincts or flair of the game. For one, I don't question their abilities. They have proven themselves time and again their talents and its imprudent to question their capabilities.
Its high time for the BCCI selectors to include youngsters into the Test team and test their capabilities. I think, they need to come up with a rotation policy to give rest to the seniors and induct the fresh, young blood into the team. May be in this three test series, one of Sourav, Sachin or VVS could be rested for one game and be replaced with a Yuvaraj or Tiwari or someone. I think this way you allow these seniors some time for introspection and set their priorities right.
If I were a selector, I'd rest Sachin for the rest of the series and give a youngster a chance. Of course, the following argument may seem dumb, but I think its worth while to take a note of. That Sachin has already played the most number of test matches and he has literally nothing to prove to anybody. Even if he walks off right away, he has a glittering stats that everyone envies. He has been the man everybody looks upto and has delivered on more occassions than not. Of course, with 37 test centuries and still counting, no one can dare question his capabilities. The selectors may allow him to choose the series that he'd likely to play. I would like him to play more of home series than overseas, this will give him more familiar play grounds to show his calibre etc., and relieves him off undue pressure that mounts every time he fails.
Who knows, a Yuvaraj or Tiwari or Badrinath may prove to be the next Sachin or Saurav in the making. It is time to induct some fresh bloods into the team to give them some purpose than having 'seniors' with nothing to prove. Give the players their due, the youngsters a chance and seniors their respect. Are the selector listening?
I rest my case!
In a way, I would say it was a 'strategy' to play until the rains came down and force a draw. With only the last wicket standing, it was impossible for the team to go for a win or even hope to play out the day. What do I take from this match?
Well, for one, this test match exposed the Indian batsmen against the swing bowling. All the 'famous' quartret of Rahul, Sachin, Saurav and VVS were found wanting against a second stream England bowlers. Neither the pitch nor the conditions or the bowlers were anywhere close to threatening the batsmen. It was purely their minds that played havoc in the middle.
One gets a feeling that these guys are over their prime and are not willing to take 'risks' or play their natural game. The fear of failure looms large on them and it is affecting their natural instincts or flair of the game. For one, I don't question their abilities. They have proven themselves time and again their talents and its imprudent to question their capabilities.
Its high time for the BCCI selectors to include youngsters into the Test team and test their capabilities. I think, they need to come up with a rotation policy to give rest to the seniors and induct the fresh, young blood into the team. May be in this three test series, one of Sourav, Sachin or VVS could be rested for one game and be replaced with a Yuvaraj or Tiwari or someone. I think this way you allow these seniors some time for introspection and set their priorities right.
If I were a selector, I'd rest Sachin for the rest of the series and give a youngster a chance. Of course, the following argument may seem dumb, but I think its worth while to take a note of. That Sachin has already played the most number of test matches and he has literally nothing to prove to anybody. Even if he walks off right away, he has a glittering stats that everyone envies. He has been the man everybody looks upto and has delivered on more occassions than not. Of course, with 37 test centuries and still counting, no one can dare question his capabilities. The selectors may allow him to choose the series that he'd likely to play. I would like him to play more of home series than overseas, this will give him more familiar play grounds to show his calibre etc., and relieves him off undue pressure that mounts every time he fails.
Who knows, a Yuvaraj or Tiwari or Badrinath may prove to be the next Sachin or Saurav in the making. It is time to induct some fresh bloods into the team to give them some purpose than having 'seniors' with nothing to prove. Give the players their due, the youngsters a chance and seniors their respect. Are the selector listening?
I rest my case!
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