CricDigs Blogs

One aspect that had withheld India’s progress as a cricketing superpower in the past was the absence of a good bench strength — the second list of players who can come in handy in case the first-choice players injure themselves or need to be rotated or rested. However, the scenario is changing fast now. If compared with other countries that traditionally had a vast pool of players as good replacements, like Australia and Pakistan, it is India that seems to be the best bet for having a steady line of talented youngsters. The encouraging fact is that this underlying confidence is not just in the batting department — the traditional strength of the Indians. In fact, they have better bowling resources at hand than batting. This is something rather new and extraordinary for the Indian team.

Ganguly’s retirement meant that the vacant slot had to be filled in by the most consistent of one-day performers and ideally it should have been another left-hander. Even then the Indian management isn’t really worried. The likes of Yuvraj and Raina are looked upon as a handy replacement. Badrinath is supposed to be mirror image of Dravid in his younger days. So, when India’s most prolific number three hangs up his boots, the team knows who would be his most likely alternative.

However, there are some regional tendencies that have crept in the selection system. How come Rohit Sharma has got so much limelight though he has had a very short-lived domestic experience and his performance in the one-dayers too isn’t that encouraging? Is it the Mumbai lobbying again? How come Badrinath isn’t being given his opportunities despite being the most consistent and technically correct batsman playing in the Ranji? Was it a co-incidence that Srikkanth promoted M. Vijay (both from the same state) to open in the last test, when there were more experienced options in the form of Aakash Chopra?

The bowling department is where the team is most well-served. The present crop of medium-bowling options are aplenty. It doesn’t matter even if Zaheer gets injured. He knows the team is still in good hands with the likes of Sreesanth, Munaf Patel, Praveen Kumar, Ishant Sharma and even Dinda waiting for their chances. It would be futile to try and re-ignite the passion within Irfan, since he seems busy with doing dance shows and building himself a palatial house. The spin department has limited but very talented bowling options. The off-spinning profile is safe with Bhajji improving with every season, the left-arm option would be served by Ojha in all probability and Kumble’s spot belongs to Amit Mishra.

The problem is no longer of having limited talent or a small pool of players to choose from. The new problem emerges in the form of too many choices, players feeling unutilised or frustrated when asked to wait for their chances or getting too comfortable knowing that if not national duty they do have IPL in the kitty to fall back upon, making it a challenge to get the best out of everyone.