The first big decision came from the newly appointed selectors. But some of the decisions appear that little has changed despite the change in personnel.
Indian selectors headed by Kris Srikkanth met officially this morning to pick the squad for the first two home Tests against Australia. It is an important moment but one that they had little time to prepare for. The selectors were relying more on past record and their own gut instinct that any visionary effort.
The batting side comprising Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, V.V.S. Laxman, Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag and Mahendra Singh Dhoni picked itself, including Sourav Ganguly around whom the speculation really rested, with Subramaniam Badrinath making his name in the squad ahead of the likes of Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina, Mohammad Kaif and even Yuvraj Singh who all showed glimpses of hope but have failed to establish themselves on the Indian psyche as worthy successors to the established pros who breathe easy with no challenge of pertinence coming from within the dressing room.
The conflict of interests appeared first when Ganguly was picked after the outgoing selectors dropped him from the Irani Trophy making him essentially the scapegoat of the Sri Lankan fiasco despite his impressive comeback since his recall in December 2006 when he has made a double century to add to his exploits of 1571 runs at an average of 50.67 barring the debacle that was Sri Lanka for most of his contemporaries. His being singled out for just the Sri Lankan tour would have been unfortunate but now it is becoming apparent more and more than the seniors would have to pull up their socks or pick their farewells though the future is not resting in the most convincing of hands.
The fast bowling department held no surprises either with Zaheer Khan leading the line followed by Ishant Sharma, Munaf Patel and R.P. Singh. But the spin department appears to be one of musical chairs. Apart from the regulars Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh, Pragyan Ojha whose selection bumped Piyush Chawls has now been relegated himself. Amit Mishra rounds up the line up, his presence coming after his one day international debut in 2003 against South Africa. The leg spinner from Haryana now rounds up the spin quartet and it will be interesting if India do find the answer to the spin woes that also pose a problem for establishing right successors.
Overall, it has been a predictable first test for the selectors, barring Mishra’s inclusion. It will be interesting down the road and their really big decision may come midway through the month when the two Tests conclude.
Australia meanwhile have to rethink their plans with their favoured leg spinner Bryce McGain has been ruled out with shoulder injury and giving Jason Krezja a chance to lead the spin attack for Australia in India. Change is in the air; but only one team seems (or is being forced to) flex its muscles.330712