India's test team selection does not inspire confidence

Australia in India 2012-13

Is Test Cricket important? It is for some of us but I feel that India's selection committee and BCCI think otherwise. The selection, in my opinion has gone very wrong in recent times - specifically after the new coach is in charge. From being No.1 test side we are languishing near bottom.

I hope I am wrong and Indian team does well against Australia.

Let us look at some of the changes.

1. Shikhar Dhawan - I don't think he has the technique to survive at the highest level in Test cricket. He has done well in Ranji Trophy and he should be given a chance but limited over cricket will be better for him. Alas! There is no place in limited over cricket with India doing well.
2. Ravindra Jadeja - Almost similar case as Shikhar Dhawal and our captain thinks he is the greatest all-rounder ever born.
3. Ashwin & Pragyan Ojha - A country that has produced some of the greatest spinners does not even have a decent option. Both are defensive bowlers with little variation. They can contain runs but the question is can they take wickets.

Somehow the whole bowling unit does not inspire confidence. Only time will tell if my reading is wrong. I sincerely hope I am proven wrong and we win the series.

Dhoni - My way or the highway

About 2 years ago, I had written an article on Dhoni's courage and his strange ways.

 Dhoni's strange ways

This article was written before India's 2011 world cup victory. Since then India has lost many series. The team's form has gone from bad to worse. And there is no end in sight.

Former players, selectors and cricket experts are asking for Dhoni's head but all we hear is some promises made by Dhoni. What is happening? Let us try to dissect the current state of affairs.

Is Dhoni still a good leader? I think so. He stands by his players and his decisions. He usually does not find fault with system.
Has his courage deserted him? No, but he has become autocratic and has started thinking that he is right and others are wrong.
Should there be a change in leadership? Maybe, selectors would know better but they should not be influenced by BCCI's managing committee. Maybe they can give a break to Dhoni for upcoming Australia series.
What is the solution? There are number of things that can be done but firstly selection should be left to selectors; Dhoni and/or BCCI's managing committee should have no role in it.
Are there any other reasons for recent defeats? I think coaching staff is not up to the par. Read an article which I wrote about a year ago  Can this be the reason for India's recent performances?

Read another article which highlights Dhoni's role. Undaunted despite defeat

As a fan I can only hope that India goes back to winning ways soon...

The Tendulkar era

Harsha Bhogle (cricket commentator and columnist) wrote 2 very good articles on great man - Sachin Tendulkar. One was written just prior to his announcement of retirement from One Day cricket and other was written just after the announcement.

Both the articles very well written.
Before the announcement - It's not just Tendulkar's decision

After the announcement - The Tendulkar habit

As a true fan I would forever want to see 90's Tendulkar on the field but all good things must come to an end. Let us relish his whites while he is still playing.

Akash Chopra on Sehwag

Akash Chopra is a columnist for Cricinfo. He writes well albeit most of his articles talk about the correct cricketing techniques, which may not be palatable to most cricket aficionados. However, the current article in not only well written but also gives insights to Sehwag's lackadaisical form. Only Sehwag can tell what is going through is mind right now but Akash, as a former opening partner, may have thrown some good thoughts.

Read on...

Memo to Sehwag

VVS Laxman

The effect of VVS Laxman announcing his retirement

India is Very Very Sad

Australia is Very Very Satisfied

Can this be the reason for India's recent performances?

The Indian team went to SA just before the World Cup 2011 and put up a decent show against one of the best teams in world cricket today. The SA show was followed by World Cup triumph.

However, India's cricket team has had an horrendous run in recent past. An average show in WI (one of the lower ranked teams in test cricket), abysmal show in England and Australia. So, what could be reason(s) for string of unceremonious defeats, nay, abject surrender?

Think about it the team, the captain, support staff and (of course) BCCI's whimsical ways have all remained same. The team has the required pedigree. If I think about it only one major change has happened after SA tour - change in coach.

Only time will tell if this is the real reason...

India should be proud of recently concluded test series in England

India in England 2011

India lost 4 match test series 0-4 and also lost the No. 1 mantle to England

What is there to be proud of after this abysmal showing? Well, before the series a certain self proclaimed best spinner of the World GP Swann was most vocal; he claimed that India will find difficult to play his bowling and he will come out on top. The results are for everyone to notice. Swann's figures -
4 matches - 142 overs - 529 runs - 13 wkts @ 40.69

At least Indians have dented number 1 claim of Swann. This too when the Indian batting collapsed in all 4 test matches.

It hurts to capitulate in this manner...