The big news at the moment is Sachin Tendulkar's return to the one-dayers. It's the most sensationalised news item because Tendulkar had announced prior to the World Cup that he wouldn't be keen to play one-dayers after the World Cup, and he didn't play even against the weak West Indies.
But now that he is back, another performing youngster Ajinkya Rahane is out of the team after warming the bench for a month. Having got acclimatised, Rahane ought to have been retained. But when Tendulkar makes himself available, to apparently chase the 100th ton goal, selectors behave like obedient children.
Long rope
They take upon themselves the responsibility of ensuring all the seniors in the team, irrespective of their form and fitness, are given a long rope to perform. It does appear that the selectors are suffering from a certain short-sightedness and banking more on the past than the present.
They let Tendulkar pick and choose series, turned a blind eye on the general fitness of seniors and, while dealing with Sehwag's irresponsible shot selections, perhaps thought bowlers were on the field only to help Sehwag entertain spectators.
Michael Clarke's men planned meticulously and executed the plan ruthlessly. After India's humiliating defeat to England and the none-too-comfortable win over West Indies, beating Australia in its homeland, with the young players available, didn't seem an easy prospect.
Extending support
The BCCI did every possible thing to accede to the requests of the team management by not only extending the support staff to ensure players' fitness but also allowing a throw-down boy to accompany the team at the request of some of the seniors.
The senior members reached Australia two weeks prior to the Boxing Day Test. Apparently the schedule of the tour was approved by the team management. After the Melbourne and Sydney Tests there were enough days between the second and third and third and fourth Tests, but no practice game was organised.
What next is the question that needs to be addressed by the selectors. Are we going to let Tendulkar pick and choose? Isn't the game greater than the individual? Will we wait for seniors to move on so that they don't feel humiliated if they are dropped?
It's time to review the IPL. The Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) must be complimented for not letting its under-21 players participate in the IPL. At a time when most of the associations and their affiliated district units are busy conducting T20 tournaments, PCA's decision has to be backed by the BCCI.
The country expects the selectors to take some tough decisions. In 1969 when the experienced Chandu Borde and Rusi Surti (who was signed with Queensland), were dropped after the first Test against Lawry's Australians, Chairman of selectors Vijay Merchant had said, “I told the seniors to perform. Since they didn't, they had to make way for the hugely talented Gundappa Viswanath and Eknath Solkar.” Viswanath scored a century on debut.
Later Merchant picked Sunil Gavaskar and surprised everyone by replacing Pataudi with Wadekar. All his decisions proved to be beneficial to Indian cricket. Merchant had the courage of conviction. His duty was to make decisions, often against the wave. Can we expect Krish Srikkanth to take some bold decisions?
Keywords: Team India, BCCI
Before criticising on "TENDULKAR", they should think more than million times that about whom we are commenting.SACHIN is the only batsman in the world who deserves all the things related to his game .He is standing at the millenium record of his 100th centuries and they are commenting about his qualification and comparing to the other is astupidity.SACHIN IS THE BEST AND HE WILL BE IN THE FUTURE ALSO.
I fully agree with the authour-So many talented young cricketers are suffering because of the weak & short sighted policies of our selectors-The real culprit is the BCCI...P.S.The AFMC[Pune] Cricket team in the mid 60's had 2 Ranji Trophy players playing for Maharashtra, who also played for West Zone-namely S.Kirtane & Waigankar.I wonder whether the author is the same Waigankar.
We did lose not only because of batting but largely due to poor strategy, inadequate planning and field placing. We had our chances in the first test and we gave the match with confidence to the aussies and they have capitalised each opportunity presented. It will be good for the big 3 to retire at the end of this season.
I request any critic not to criticize on individual,this is a team game,as far as present tour is concerned, Sachin is in good form compared to other Juniors/Seniors.and also to remind Sachin is the second highest rungetter in WC 2011 after Dillshan.Please, come out with your Suggetions and encourage the team to bounce back
Tell me Mr.Makarand, how well has Rahane played in England? He used to make 30-40 before holing out! Besides, Tendulkar is not a liability, but an asset to the team. He is by far the best batsman on the tour... and Vishwanathan for Borde is a better swap than Rahane for Sachin. Acc. to you, the BCCI(or Sehwag) thinks 'bowlers were on the field only to help Sehwag entertain spectators'...if that happens then we may see a biggie like 219....which I think happened 2 ODI's ago...stop behaving like a fickle guy who thinks its all a conspiracy when the times are bad...Sachin and Sehwag were the opening combination that won us the World Cup not so long ago. And as for people come out with terms like 'Tendulkaritis', I think you suffer from basic idiocy...except for 2005-07. Sachin has never underperformedfor an extended period of time. In fact, he has been the best Indian batsman for about 3 years upto 2011 WC. This is the best team that we have at the moment, so stop cribbing about it!!!
Mr.Bharani...your friend forgot one thing when he commented "Tendulkatis is a life threatening Malignancy",the game reached the top level in India with peoples like Gavaskar,Kapil Dev, Azar, Ganguly,VVS,Dravid, Shewag, Dhoni etc.,(there are many,I take the examples of my time) but the ultimate joy of enjoying cricket was provided by Tendulkar, not only in India all over the world people love watch him play."Tendulkatis is a life threatening Malignancy"is totally wrong,infact he has become the heart of modern cricket.How many times we have seen the stadium go empty or people switching off the tv once he gets out.He is one of the greats,who keeps alive the game of cricket inspite of it becoming a business with IPL etc.You didn't mention your friends name,you said a former cricketer,that explains for his comments,he didn't or couldn't reach that level,don't give much importance to those comments,or atleast don't mention them in public!
India's humiliating defeat during Australia series can be attributted to inability of indian bastmens to cope with swinging and bouncing pitches...why prepare only 25% bouncing pitches in India...make it atleast 50% ...and why bother about age...those who perform will get the place...and sachin deserves it...
I think the article doesn't do justice,it singles out Tendulkar for criticism.The question of 'Long rope' or 'seniors' doesn't araise so long they perform.It is a professional game,so senior or junior the one who shows consistency gets to play.Even in the first 3 tests with Australia Sachin was the only player who looked comfortable among the lots of seniors and juniors,though he failed to score any big ones.Letting Sachin to choose and pick the game has to be accepted especially when it benefits the country and the sport.That man performs and applies himself even now as a young 17 years old when in the field.Let us not put more pressure on him with such articles,we are not doing justice to that great man.
Your argument would have had merit IF Tendulkar was out of form and in the side on account of his stature and records. Instead, he is the best performing member of the side and so stated by the Aus team too. With just performance alone he easily merits a place in the side. Bring in his exemplary stature and conduct and I needn't argue my point any more.
I'll tell you what. The whole world is after Tendulkar's life to retire
from the game. The day he actually does that, it is going to be you so
called cricketing pundits who will again start writing on why India
needs Tendulkar. Instead of trying to gain more views on your article by
writing something like this, why don't you sit back and enjoy Tendulkar
batting, because believe me 10 years down the lane, you will be telling
everyone, You lived in the times of Sachin Tendulkar. Period
I agree with the opinion of Mr.Waingankar. After the debacle in England and Australia everybody is blaming “seniors” and team management. What about Srikkanth & Co…? They do not have any vision or courage. Srikkanth should step down taking moral responsibilty
Wonder with all due respect if Mr. Waingankar is taking things out of his senses or is it just to sensationlize. Which youngster has fared so good so as to replace Sachin? He has been playing good. He is currently playing test, so is Acclimatized to situations there. Atleast he will help us fare well in one-day matches. Also, there are not much seniors in side who can give valuable comments as Sachin can. Of course bowlers have Zak. Dhoni and Sehwag are there too. But inputs from Sachin and contribution from his form matter a lot for India. I am sure he will score good runs. Lets forget his century. Critics are making money talking about that topic and sensationlizing it. Cricket is a religion for Indian and Sachin is demi-god. Let us watch him play as much as he enjoys playing. We are blessed to have seen him play all our lifes. He is bigger phenomenon than example he has given above. Sachin need not play in india where team does well, In these condition team need him most.
Very interesting perspective. Let truth be openly expressed, of course it hurts. A friend of mine, a former cricket player of renown, made an interesting and incisive observation, in our Cricket fan group gathering: "Senioritis is a mild infection to the cricket body whereas Tendulkatis is a life threatening Malignancy to Indian and international game of Cricket."
Interesting article - agree with the philosophy of being bold. But I am disappointed that neither this article nor others (including comments by ex-cricketers) talk about the basic infrastructure gap in India to accomodate gaining experience on bouncy pitches. If we are bold enough to prepare about 25% of our pitches to be bouncy and plan real games on them before tours and also during regular Ranji seasons, we make see some gains. No point in pointing fingers at selectors or seniors as everyone on the team failed - in fact data shows that Dravid, Tendulkar and Laxman have had the better Test years than shewag, Gambhir, Raina, dhoni etc.
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