Blogs Indian Cricket: Zaheer, Ganguly, Pathan And Now Sehwag?
January 21st, 2008 by prashantWhat is common among these players? As per what they do on the field, pretty much nothing. Zaheer is a full-time bowler, Ganguly a batsman, Pathan an all-rounder (or at least bowler who can bat a fair bit), Sehwag, a dasher of a batsman.
Then what ties them together? Well, I believe they represent a change in Indian Cricket selection process. This group is an example of players who were dropped due their poor or very-poor performances and then bounced back into the team and performed well.
- Zaheer was totally ineffective and was always struggling with injuries at some point and then was dropped. He has come back ever so strongly, helping India with excellent performances (SA, England, WI).
- No matter how much we criticize Greg Chappell for going after Ganguly and India’s debacle in WC’07, even Ganguly has admitted that being dropped from the side (for being totally out of form for a long long time) helped him focus on the game more and come back strongly.
- Pathan is the same story. After arriving on the international stage and doing so well in the India’s last tour down-under (2003), he lost his game in 2006 and was dropped (how did he lose his game is one of those mysteries in Cricket). As we all know now, he has come back so strongly having his swing back and batting beautifully as well.
Now about Sehwag, it might be a bit premature to say that he has “come-back”, but from his attitude at the crease and body language it looks quite promising. He contributed significantly in India’s famous win in Perth, both with bat and ball.
Well, Zaheer is injured right now and done for the current series (which is how Pathan got his playing time in the first place 
), but the other 3 have a great opportunity to play well and help India level the series. That will absolutely be the best moment in Indian Cricket history!!
So is the formula for keeping players on their toes and get them to perform well is to “drop-fightback-select-perform”?
January 22nd, 2008 at 2:07 pm
Yes, that is a great strategy. It keeps all the players on their toes and prevents them from taking their place in the team for granted. The only player that comes to mind at this moment is Mohammad Kaif. He was once seen as the next captain of the Indian team but now I think his India stint is as good as over.
It’s also good to see many young players putting their hand up and performing when given the chance! All in all, it bodes well for Indian cricket. Like the recent ODI team selection, Dravid and Ganguly find no place in it. Tendulkar is the only player above the age of 30 who features in the squad!
March 28th, 2008 at 8:41 pm
Now Sehwag is saying that being dropped motivated him!! So the formula for success is definitely
“out Of Form -> get dropped ->fightback ->get selected -> perform”
March 28th, 2008 at 11:00 pm
I was looking for some comments about Sehwag here - and found these. C’mon you got to admit two triple centuries isn’t a joke. I believe he still has the potential to continue for a while. This triple century of course follows 151 (or around) against Aussies. Agreed Sehwag isn’t as consistent player as we want him to be. However look at his last 10 or so centuries that include 150s, couple of double hundreds and a couple of triple hundreds! His strike rate is also pretty good when he scores centuries - only Gilchrist is better. His is the fastest tripple century - which is commendable. (I am not a statistician - courtsey cricinfo). We must accept and give credit where it is due.
March 29th, 2008 at 1:13 am
Yep. No doubt about that. Since coming back Sehwag has shown more application and focus without losing his natural aggressive game. His triple century in this test at more than run-a-ball is absolutely special.