The Hindu : Sport : Selectors on the right track

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Dec 09, 2010
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Sport

Sport - Sports : General

Selectors on the right track

With the World Cup barely two months away, there is no time for experimentation, writes Makarand Waingankar

The national selectors are on the right track. They seem to be working on a combination. Eventually to get the right combination, they will have to try different sets of players.

The key to most sports selections should be long-term vision and objectivity. With the World Cup barely two months away, there is no time for experimentation. To build the confidence-level of players, they need to be given enough opportunities to excel. Only then the team management would be able to draw the strategy and get the combination of the team right.

That Gambhir is enjoying his new role of captaincy is quite heartening but what is pleasing is his batsmanship at the top of the order. In a limited-over game if a batsman is not attacking then he has to play second fiddle and pace his innings while keeping an eye on his partner's confidence.

With the Tendulkar-Sehwag opening pair well settled, Gambhir will have to bat at No. 3 and it is here that he has to make an impact as a left-hander. Neil Harvey believed that at No. 3 the left-hander is in a better position to dominate because of various reasons. Harvey when he got going massacred bowlers with ease.

Apart from Gambhir, the batsman who is bisecting the gaps in the field after the power play is Virat Kohli. There is no doubt about his talent, but his batting lacks finesse.

He seems to have grasped the nuances of batting while sharing the dressing room with the greats playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Yuvraj Singh is slowly realising his role in the team. He fits as an allrounder perfectly. The fierce competition in the middle order may have shaken him a bit, but that is what one has to expect in any competitive sport.

Then there is Rohit Sharma, a player who might give the impression of being very casual but he knows what is required of him. But Yusuf Pathan after the Bangalore knock has emerged as the most dangerous batsman.

In bowling too there is focus on swinging the ball that was exhibited by both Zaheer Khan and Ashish Nehra. And though Harbhajan Singh is an experienced bowler, R. Ashwin is picking up the art of making a dent in the opposition with his variety.

Intriguing

What is intriguing though is the faith shown by the selectors in the abilities of Ravindra Jadeja. When he started off as a left-arm spinner, he definitely looked a bright prospect.

With the degree of revolutions on the ball going down considerably he is no longer as menacing but selectors are still giving him the opportunities to sort out his technical problem.

The concern of the hour though is fielding. That Indians are not athletic is a well-known fact. In fielding the Indian team must be one of the slowest in the field. What is worrying is that the youngsters are clueless about fielding. It is one skill that requires sheer hard work and doggedness.

All international teams have a fielding coach. Why are we averse to having one? If runs can't be saved, no matter how many experienced players you play, poor fielding can affect the team's morale.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Sport