The Indian Premier League, while >opening doors for young talents , has given a chance for some experienced cricketers to make a comeback. But will they be able to claim a berth in Team India?.
In the current IPL, Gautam Gambhir, Robin Uthappa, Parthiv Patel, Axar Patel and Dinesh Karthik have made valuable contribution to their respective teams.
Gautam Gambhir
With the kind of form he is in, Gambhir’s fans are of the opinion that he can be recalled to the Test team to partner Murali Vijay.
Shikhar Dhawan, current Indian opener, is in an awful form in the past two or three series. In fact, he was dropped from the team that played XI against the West Indies in World T20 semifinals.
As India will be playing at home, >the experienced Gambhir (34) might give Team India an extra bit of experience at the top. Though his technique was questioned overseas, he is a good player at home, who can prove his mettle. .
When contacted over the phone, Wisden India Almanack editor Suresh Menon said, “Though Gambhir has played good cricket in the recent times, my opinion is that the selectors will not opt for him. As India plays its Tests at home in the near future, the selectors might opt for a youngster or give Shikhar Dhawan another chance to prove himself.”
According a sports correspondent of The Hindu, “Given the fact that lots of Test matches are in the offing, we need a consistent and steady opener. With Dhawan being unpredictable and patchy, Gambhir can be brought back. The south-paw is in good form and has a knack of building and holding an innings.”
Gambhir was out of the Indian team after the disastrous Australia and England tour of 2011.
But before that... remember April 2, 2011. Chasing a stiff target of 275, India were two down with 31 on the board. Sri Lankans were celebrating as though they have won the World Cup. They have reason to because they have removed the in-form Sachin Tendulkar and dangerous Virender Sehwag.
Before a huge and silent crowd, Gambhir and Virat Kohli slowly began to resurrect the innings. Gambhir played a knock of his career that day. With Kohli back in the pavilion with a well-made 35, captain M.S. Dhoni joined Gambhir and they began to tear the Sri Lankan bowling apart. Gambhir and Dhoni's knock nulled the century knock by Mahela Jayawardene.
But sadly, Gambhir was out for 97 off 122 balls. Rest was history as Dhoni compiled a match-winning unbeaten 91 and India lifted the World Cup for the second time. Though Dhoni won the man-of-the-match award, to me, it was Gambhir's knock that turned the match head-on in India's favour.
In nnother instance, on September 24, 2007, India squeezed past Pakistan in the World T20 finals. This was the first time, the ICC conducted a T20 tournament. Despite losing wickets around him, Gambhir made an excellent knock of 75 off 54 balls with 8 fours and 2 sixes, to enable India achieve a defendable target of 157.
India restricted Pakistan and won the match by five runs. Though Irfan Pathan broke the back of Pakistan with his three wickets and won the man-of-the-match award, I feel, it was Gambhir's knock that put India on the victory path.
Dinesh Karthik
The >dynamic keeper made his Test debut in 2004 against Australia and ODI debut in the same year against England. Karthik made his T20 International debut in 2006 against South Africa.
As far as IPL is concerned, he had represented Delhi Daredevils, Kings XI Punjab, Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore. This season, Karthik is representing one of the debutants, the Gujarat Lions.
Before Dhoni came into the scene, Karthik made his presence felt with the Indian team by playing 23 Tests, scored 1000 runs at an average of 27.77 with 129 being his highest. He played his last Test in 2010 against Bangladesh.
He had played in 71 ODIs, scored 1313 runs with 79 being his highest at an average of 27.93. It is indeed a below-par performance from this talented Tamil Nadu keeper. His last ODI appearance was in 2014 against Afghanistan.
Despite his staggered career, Karthik, with his performances in the IPL, might be a better option for Test cricket. He is a better keeper than Parthiv Patel and Wriddhiman Saha.
The Indian team will have an advantage of playing Karthik because he is a kind of player who fits any slot in the batting order. He can open the innings, come at crucial No.3 or down the order. He has an excellent batting record in the domestic circuit.
However, his inconsistency had posed problems. With the runs he is scoring for Gujarat Lions, he might have an outside chance of coming under the selection radar. Remember his match-winning effort against Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Robin Uthappa
It is a big surprise why this >talented cricketer was not in Team India in the recently concluded World T20 championships. The selectors had opted for Dhawan over him. Though Uthappa is an excellent fielder, he can also keep wickets. Remember his knocks in the 2007 World T20 championships. He played some scintillating knocks which enabled India to lift the inaugural World T20 championship.
>Uthappa , who made his ODI debut in 2006, has represented India in 46 ODIs having scored 934 runs at an average of 25.94 with 86 being his higest. He had also played in 13 T20Is, scored 249 runs runs with 50 being his highest at an average of 24.90. He was not in the selection radar for quite some time despite his stupendous performances in domestic circuit.
After representing Mumbai Indians, Pune Warriors and Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPLs, he's now with Kolkata Knight Riders. He and Gambhir have given scintillating starts for the team in the current IPL.
Parthiv Patel
This >dimunitive left-hander made his Test debut under Ganguly's captaincy. He was just 17 in 2002 when he made his debut in the seaming English conditions. He scored an unbeaten 19 in the second innings in his debut Test. He was a regular in the Indian Test team till 2004. After a gap of four years, he played a Test in 2008.
Though a good batsman, his wicket-keeping skills were questionable. He represented India in 20 Tests, scored 683 runs with 69 being his highest at an average of 29.69. Parthiv Patel also represented Team India in 38 ODIs, scored 736 runs at an average of 23.74 with 95 being his highest.
In IPLs, he has represented Chennai Super Kings, Deccan Chargers, Kochi Tuskers Kerala, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Sunrisers Hyderabad. He is now playing for Mumbai Indians and played some scintillating knocks up the order. He also opened for Chennai Super Kings and played useful knocks for the team.
He has a wide range of shots on both side of the wicket and has been in good form in the domestic circuit. Though his keeping skills have improved now, selectors can opt for Karthik if they have to choose between the two.
Axar Patel
This >Gujarat all-rounder made his ODI debut in 2014 and his T20 in 2015. >Axar Patel is a useful batsman down the order as he can use his long handle to good use. He has represented India in 22 ODIs, scored 91 runs with 17 not out being his highest. He has taken 28 wickets with 3 for 39 being his best.
In four T20 Internationals, he has scored 24 runs and has taken five wickets. He can be considered a good option for Tests too. His domestic record too is impressive. He is a good hitter of the ball and is also a useful fielder.
In IPLs, he has represented Mumbai Indians and now playing for Kings XI Punjab. Who can forget his hat-trick against the Gujarat Lions? As he is only 22, Axar Patel has a long way to go.
The Indian selection panel might spring some surprises while they select the team for an ODI series against Zimbabwe next month. Having some good options, the selection panel has a tough task ahead as India is expected to embark on a four-Test series against West Indies in July.
