Rectifying a mistake by committing another

ONE OF the few consistent factors in Indian cricket is the inconsistency in the selection policies and one wonders if at all there are any. The most regularly employed formula is the rectification of a mistake by committing another.

It is an agreed fact that the selectors' job is really thankless and they can hardly satisfy everybody. What really gets them into a corner is the way they try to justify their decisions. The chairman of the selection committee, Chandu Borde, gives the impression that he rarely keeps track of his post selection statements.

As usual the supposed criteria for the selection of the probables for the Asia Cup are full of contradictions and double standards. The omission of Laxman, despite his good showing in the Ranji Trophy has been the moot point.

His failure in the one-dayers in Australia has gone against him but going by the same yardstick a lot many names should not have figured in the list.

Laxman has shown that he is good enough for international cricket despite being used as a yo-yo in the batting order. It is obvious that he is better off as a middle order batsman but he has been thrust into the opening slot repeatedly. In fact, he has gone on record that he prefers to play in the middle-order. So much for being a team man and taking on the responsibility manfully.

Another player who has been meted out with stern treatment is Sadagopan Ramesh. I am not against a player being disciplined for an aberration but things can be carried only to an extent.

He has been a consistent performer since his debut for the country in the Tests and has been useful in the one-dayers in his sporadic appearances. The enraged team management wanted him out of the side for his wishy-washy stance with regard to his injury during the South African series.

His omission in the Coca-Cola cup is enough penance and he should be drafted back into the side. Moreover, given the flexible memory of the selectors he may be forgotten gradually if he does not figure in the team now that a Test series is quite a while away.

The inclusion of youngsters like Shivasankar Das, Ritender Sodhi, Hemang Badani is a step in the right direction.

This has been offset by the inclusion of Kanitkar and Martin. These two have not been among the runs this year in the domestic circuit and definitely they do not possess extraordinary talent to be picked. Kambli, who has a reputation behind him, has earned back his place with consistent scores.

His handicap may well prove to be his fitness and the fact that he is competing with younger players like Kaif and Sriram who are quicker on the field.

Srinath and Prasad, the experienced duo have been shown the door, which means youngsters like Kumaran, Zahir Khan and Bhandari can fancy their chances of making it into the fifteen.

Srinath has had a very ordinary time in the one-dayers in recent months and it is now clear that he will be picked only for the Tests. Prasad may consider himself unlucky to be omitted because he bowled reasonably well at Sharjah. Zahir Khan, the left arm seamer, is an exciting prospect and should go down as one of the best bowlers seen in the MRF Pace Foundation.

There is no genuine young all-rounder available in the entire country albeit the efforts taken to find one. Sodhi is not a genuine all-rounder but at the moment he is one of those who can be considered as a utility cricketer.

The notion of developing Kanitkar into a front line all-rounder has remained nothing more than a fancy. Sriram, the left hander, is the next option available in the all-rounders category and it remains to be seen how he is utilised in the future.

Ganguly is doing the right thing by joining the camp since he can have a good look at the talent available before picking the final squad.

It will also give him the opportunity to probe and find out the mental strength of the upcoming youngsters. While his joining the camp is appreciable, the exemption given to Dravid and Kumble is inexplicable.

Surely a national team's camp is more important than a county game. This is where the confusion sets in all round because there is no consistency in decision making.

The fault is not definitely with the players but the authorities have to be blamed for being arbitrary in their decisions.

The controversy of match-fixing currently gripping the entire cricket world, has taken a sudden twist with Kapil Dev being dragged into it.

Kapil Dev, an icon in the cricket world is obviously anguished at the allegations levelled against him, as he had to sacrifice a lot to stay at the top for over a decade and a half.

The irony is that it started off with Cronje but the attention has been totally diverted from him as well as South Africa. The credit for this should go to Mr. Bacher, who has adroitly ensured that the attention of the ICC stays in the sub-continent. The sooner the entire mess is cleared up the better it is for everyone concerned.

WOORKHERI RAMAN

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