Selectors and Rahul Dravid

Indian selectors have included Rahul Dravid among 30 probables for ICC Champions Trophy.

Dravid among Champions Trophy probables

In my opinion it is a regressive step. It is not the Dravid's ability to perform but the timing of the move that disturbs me. Dravid is a great player with sound technique; he has won many a battles for Indian cricket. I have high regards for him and I am sure he will succeed if given a chance and may even perform better than youngsters.

However, Dravid is not in frame for One Day cricket for almost 2 years. Since then other batsmen have performed well. Indian team has seen golden period in two years - they have lost very few one day games. The new batsmen have played some brilliant cricket and have filled the void left by Dravid.

Some media reports have suggested that Dravid inclusion has to do with inability of current crop of cricketers to face short pitch bouncers especially after poor showing at T20 Word Cup. It is true that Raina, Pathan and Sharma do no have technical proficiency of Dravid (everyone can't be a 'The Wall'). But what do selectors want to achieve by announcing Dravid's name? There could be 2 reasons but none of them makes sense to me:

1. To tell new crop of players that they lack technical proficiency of a master and there is a competition for them - There can be only one Dravid. Raina, Pathan or Sharma can't match his technical proficiency. They have earned their places in the team as they too have something which wins matches for India. Every player is unique and we must respect his talent as it is. Let us continue to trust these youngsters as long as they are performing well for the country. If they do not produce the goods then so be it. Selectors have built a team that will serve India for a long time to come.
2. To show some much needed respect to Dravid in twilight of his career - In last t 2 years Dravid would have taken non-inclusion in one day squad in his stride. By announcing his name among probables, selectors are only demeaning him. What was the point of dumping him earlier after a stray poor series?

I shred to think what will happen if, after all this, selectors fail to include Dravid in final 14.

Why India is serious contender for the ICC T20 World Cup?

India team is not only the defending champions but is also considered to be favourites to win ICC T20 World Cup again. Pundits, critics, media-personnel and fans alike have put their bets on India.

The betting sites have also given best odds to India closely followed by SA and Australia. At the time of posting this articles the Ladbrokes' odds for India were 5/2 while for SA and Australia were 7/2 and 11/2 respectively. The odds would change as tournament will progress. One can check the betting meter of various online sites at

Twenty20 World Cup Win Market Betting Odds

I am not a betting man but I like to analyze the cricket happenings. Why is everyone considering India as favourites? Is it because:

1. India has a very strong team with fine balance.
2. Indians have much more experience of T20 format than rival team players (courtesy IPL).
3. All the 15 individuals in the team are proven performers - swash bucking batsmen, excellent fielders and wicket taking bowlers.
4. Most of the players are is excellent form and are coming after a successful stint in IPL2.
5. Dhoni is considered to be a fine leader with a cool head and astute thinking.

All these points definitely make India a world beating team. These points have been analyzed threadbare by media and cricket pundits; there is no point in repeating them here. SA and Australia too can run close if we just consider these points. Man for man SA and Australia too have brilliant team.

World Cup squads
India - http://www.cricinfo.com/wt202009/content/squad/402820.html
SA - http://www.cricinfo.com/wt202009/content/squad/402863.html
Australia - http://www.cricinfo.com/wt202009/content/squad/402963.html

So what is it that makes India favourites? Where is the wow factor? Why are odds what they are? I think there are more important points. These are:

1. The bench - Out of 15 individuals in the squad only 11 will play. The bench strength of India is much better that rest of the teams. Dhoni has happy problem of who to take in playing 11 and who to leave. Indian team has the strongest bench among all teams playing in the world cup. One just has to consider how India thrashed Pakistan in a warm up game when their premier bowler (Zaheer) and the regular opener (Sehwag) were injured and warming the bench.
2. Beyond the bench - Players like Karthink, Nehra, Munaf, Mishra, Balaji are not in the 15 member squad. These players performed exceptionally well in recently concluded IPL and have donned India colours before; they can walk in any other international side based on their performance. Alas! There is no space for them in Indian team. And I am not talking about the other young guns who also performed well in IPL but do not have the international exposure. Surely they will put positive pressure on the players in world cup squad.
3. Fear Factor - There are very few players in world cricket who induce fear in the mind of opposition. These players are reverved by fans and opposition alike. India have couple of them - Sehwag, Yuvraj and Dhoni. Australia also used to have few before they lost them to retirement and indiscipline (read Symmonds).
4. Pressure situations - Most Indian players are accustomed to pressure cooker like situations. Over past two years they have seen extremely adverse conditions (both in one dayers and tests) where they have come out strongly. They have won matches from extreme odds. As an old adage goes - been there, done that. Players like Dhoni, Yuvraj, Rohit, Pathan brothers, Zaheer, Harbhajan and Raina have won matches on their own from seemingly impossible situations. They are all big match players.

Did anyone say odds in a T20 match change very quickly?