"We need young legs, fit players", so said a National selector. The fitness bandwagon has been around for a while and those who have boarded it on time are the ones who have earned the Indian cap. The young brigade particularly Ishant Sharma, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina and Gautam Gambhir have already created a niche for themselves in the international arena. But are some of them ready to take over the mantle from the seniors? I am as confused as a cow on astro turf.
The last 12 months have seen the emergence of some great young talent at the one day international arena. Most of them dazzled the wicket with their individual style and the junoon to excel...but the question that lingers in my mind is - "Are they good enough for test cricket?" Gautam Gambhir and Ishant Sharma are starting to do well in test cricket, but do they have the mettle to replace the biggies in Indian cricket.
Before I debate that point, its important to revisit the oldies' current cricket avatar. Another bad series could well mean the end of the road for Rahul Dravid. Saurav Ganguly has already been shown the door (could well be part of the team for the 1st test!!). Sachin Tendulkar would surely be given the luxury to chose his retirement date and VVS Laxman is forever on trial. So where does it leave the current band of willow yielders?
Mahendra Singh Dhoni showed a lot of promise in the one day series in Sri Lanka. Despite that, I believe he needs to take a step up to be successful as a Test number 6 (which I am sure would be the way forward).
Yuvraj Singh needs to understand that scoring on the field is a better option especially when one holds the dream to captain India. Test cricket is the biggest test and unfortunately Yuvi hasn't delivered. Time is running out for him!!
Subramanian Badrinath for me seems an apt replacement for someone like Rahul Dravid. Though the comparison might be far fetched, but their first class averages are pretty much the same and Badri is someone who doesn't run away from grafting (a quality which is needed in a team full of stroke players). These qualities and years at the first class arena suggest that he may be in the Test team for a long period.
Mohammad Kaif is remembered for the Natwest Final in 2002 and his ugly batting stance. His name keeps coming up as a stand by batsmen for every second home series. His selection in the ROI team could well be his last chance to stake a claim in the Test squad.
The emergence of Suresh Raina and Rohit Sharma hold a lot of promise for the future but would they be fortunate enough to start their test careers with the likes of Dravid and Tendulkar beside them? I think the answer would be clear after the current home series. My only prayer... let the oldies get their due and an exit becoming of such great players!
My team for the first 2 tests against Australia would be:
1. Virender Sehwag
2. Gautam Gambhir
3. VVS Laxman
4. Sachin Tendulkar
5. Rahul Dravid
6. Subramaniam Badrinath
7. Mahendra Singh Dhoni (vc)8. Anil Kumble (c)
9. Harbhajan Singh
10. Zaheer Khan
11. Ishant Sharma
12. Munaf Patel
13. Pragyan Ojha
14. Rohit Sharma
