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[ramshorns]

The selectors have a tough job on hand

Makarand Waingankar

The national selectors have a tough job on hand when they sit on Friday to pick the Indian squad for the West Indies tour. Since there is no official word from the BCCI on the withdrawal of players, we presume all are available.

After the gruelling and relentless games for the past six months, including IPL, some players may need rest and they deserve it.

India goes to the West Indies for five ODIs, one T20 followed by three Tests and then proceeds to England. Immediately after that India plays England — there are five ODIs against England in India.

Then in November West Indies will tour India for Tests and ODIs.

Tough programme

In the New Year India tours Australia. A very hectic and tough programme.

The Indians have been playing IPL T20 matches for a month with two weeks to go and the players are expected to adapt to ODI first and later a five-day Test match immediately after the IPL.

There is a lot of difference between these formats and not many internationals have succeeded in adopting the mindset required for different formats.

The selectors will have to opt for two sets of squads, one for the ODIs and T20s and another for the Tests. Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, V.V.S. Laxman, Virender Sehwag and Zaheer Khan may be given the option of joining the team for the Tests so that they get ample rest.

Though performances in the IPL can't be the parameter for ODI selection, there is enough talent on view in the IPL and it's the job of the selectors to follow their gut feeling and push deserving talent.

Most batsmen like Rohit Sharma, Paul Valthaty and S. Badrinath have maintained a healthy strike rate which means they are striking the ball consistently.

This proves they are easily getting rid of dot balls which is so very essential in ODIs. During one IPL match a team managed 52 dot balls, wasting eight crucial overs and that was a champion team.

Good strike rate

The selectors are not naïve to overlook the importance of having a good strike rate. And maintaining a strike rate is not as easy as one thinks. The bowlers have learnt to mix a variety of slower balls on sluggish surfaces and it requires timing to find gaps in the field or hit it into the stands.

That's possibly the reason Valthaty's unbeaten knock of 120 off 63 balls against Chennai Super Kings is still being talked about by former internationals.

Badrinath is another player who knows what he is doing, because, obviously, he has practised those shots. It's only when you are mentally prepared to play those smart shots, that the ball finds the middle of the bat frequently. The slots which will be very difficult to plug will be those of bowlers though lanky leggie Rahul Sharma getting the top-spinner to bounce may be the find of the IPL. He has stuck to the basics of line and length, mixed varieties subtly, especially against the strong Mumbai Indians.

Ishant Sharma and Munaf Patel seem to be safe bets but choosing the rest of the bowlers will be a trial for the selectors. This is the last quarter of the selection committee which by and large has done an excellent job.

With the methodical Duncan Fletcher attending the selection committee meeting, one can expect some policy changes because he would be keen that India does well against his old team England, and for that to happen a tour of the West Indies is very crucial.

http://www.hindu.com/2011/05/11/stories/2011051163691900.htm

[ramshorns]

From what I gather both Rayadu and Badri have very good chance of getting a slot in the team for ODI's.  Though I would love to see Badri get a slot in the Test side as well

Then for Tests one has to see how long VS will take to recuperate from the shoulder surgery and how well VVS's back will hold up given his recent struggles with the back over the last 6-8 months.  That will be the key for the Tests in WI's, Eng and Aus.

[dextrous]

Rams,
Luckily, while VVS is irreplacable, I think Ganguly can fill in if needed. Otherwise we have Badri also.

[dextrous]

and yes, that was a joke. calm down.

[ramshorns]

Rams,
Luckily, while VVS is irreplacable, I think Ganguly can fill in if needed. Otherwise we have Badri also.

Let us take a call after the next 3 IPL games.

[Cernunnos]

Rayudu?

Since 2009 averages 49 in First Class. Not bad per se, but a young player who wants to make a statement to the selectors has to be consistently averaging 60+ over few seasons (Badri 80, Manoj Tiwary 65 in the same period), unless he is some special talent which clearly he is not. Even a post-retirement Ganguly averages 49 in FC. In domestic one-dayers, Rayudu has a paltry 31 average.

I read a theory that he's getting consideration because he is a "wicketkeeper". The fact is he has never kept in a domestic first class or one-dayer. It seems anyone can wear gloves and become a keeper these days.

If he gets selected, we know it will not be on the weight of on-field performance. Reminds me of 1997, when one Noel David, a Hyderabad player, got selected for the WI tour.
 

[dhruvdeepak]

Rayudu?

Since 2009 averages 49 in First Class. Not bad per se, but a young player who wants to make a statement to the selectors has to be consistently averaging 60+ over few seasons (Badri 80, Manoj Tiwary 65 in the same period), unless he is some special talent which clearly he is not. Even a post-retirement Ganguly averages 49 in FC. In domestic one-dayers, Rayudu has a paltry 31 average.

I read a theory that he's getting consideration because he is a "wicketkeeper". The fact is he has never kept in a domestic first class or one-dayer. It seems anyone can wear gloves and become a keeper these days.

If he gets selected, we know it will not be on the weight of on-field performance. Reminds me of 1997, when one Noel David, a Hyderabad player, got selected for the WI tour.

noel david? great talent.  after his glittering career playing cricket he became the coach of a mighty team - American University of Dubai. (never mind that one summer i took his band of b*tches down).

someone should contact him regarding a job coaching India. after all he is Indian and has coaching experience.

[RicePlateReddy]

Rayudu?

Since 2009 averages 49 in First Class. Not bad per se, but a young player who wants to make a statement to the selectors has to be consistently averaging 60+ over few seasons (Badri 80, Manoj Tiwary 65 in the same period), unless he is some special talent which clearly he is not. Even a post-retirement Ganguly averages 49 in FC. In domestic one-dayers, Rayudu has a paltry 31 average.

I read a theory that he's getting consideration because he is a "wicketkeeper". The fact is he has never kept in a domestic first class or one-dayer. It seems anyone can wear gloves and become a keeper these days.

If he gets selected, we know it will not be on the weight of on-field performance. Reminds me of 1997, when one Noel David, a Hyderabad player, got selected for the WI tour.

Agreed - posted essentially the same thing on the Ganguly thread! http://www.cricketvoice.com/cricketforum2/index.php/topic,27341.msg324209.html#msg324209

[12th_Man]

Badri,Valthatty,Rohit,Rayudu - all in Queue. All these seem to have good shot selections.
Why PPatel and DKarthik are not in run if MSD rests ?

[RicePlateReddy]

after his glittering career playing cricket he became the coach of a mighty team - American University of Dubai. (never mind that one summer i took his band of b*tches down).

That does not sound like it was cricket :-o Can you please clarify?