Selectors played it safe again

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Gautam Gambhir could well ask what more he has to do to get into the Indian team. If scoring a double century in a tour match on the eve of the first Test is no guarantee for a berth in the side, there is little else, it would seem, that a young promising aspirant for the India could do to squeeze into the national squad. One must also not forget that the 20-year-old Delhi batsman had got a double hundred against Railways in the Ranji Trophy pre-quarterfinal last month. Is this, in any way, a reflection of the strength of the Indian batting line-up?

In a way, it could be a sign. One recalls how in the 80s a consistent run-getter like KP Bhaskar just could not get a look in since the Indian middle-order was so packed with classy players. But then Gambhir is an opening batsman and that is why his omission deserves a closer look. Gambhir is very promising with a good future but where is the place for him in the team," Chandu Borde is quoted to have said. The chairman of the selection committee has a point, though not an entirely satisfying one.

With the middle-order having a clear `no vacancy' sign, any new batsman can get in only at the top, where there is more than elbow room for an opening partner for Shiv Sundar Das. But Gambhir is an opening batsman, so why is it so difficult for the talented left-hander to get in after such a splendid record? This is where the compromise theory comes in.

With the Indian think-tank persisting with the policy of playing seven batsmen (including the wicketkeeper) and four bowlers, Deep Dasgupta takes the place of Das' partner. With the middle-order being manned by Dravid, Tendulkar, Ganguly, Laxman and Sehwag, where is the place for another batsman?

There are only four remaining places and these have to be occupied by the bowlers in the absence of an all-rounder. Indeed, it is this absence of an all-rounder that has led to the selectors adopting the policy of six batsmen, a wicketkeeper and four bowlers. Ideally, five bowlers would give the team a better chance of winning. But that would mean playing only five batsmen and the Indian think-tank obviously does not aim to take the risk. This kind of safe policy is probably warranted against Australia and South Africa but against Zimbabwe a more aggressive outlook is called for.

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Unfortunately, Indian selectors have generally been conservative and cautious in their thinking; the bold, innovative approach has been the exception rather than the rule. Other than this compromise policy that has led to Gambhir's exclusion, there is not much in the team to merit comment. The return of Zaheer Khan was always on the cards after his fiery bowling of late. After looking a certainty in the side for much of the past year or so, he was dropped for the recent Test series against England following an indifferent tour of South Africa.

Indeed, the 23-year-old left arm paceman was struggling with both form and fitness. He was in the squad for the six-match one-day series against England, but did not play in any of the matches. Happily, this bleak period seems to be behind him and at the moment, he does seem to be the ideal partner for Javagal Srinath.

The wicketkeeper's slot was clearly a toss up between Dasgupta and Ajay Ratra. As a wicketkeeper, there is little doubt that the latter is the better prospect but the Bengal stumper gets a berth because of his better batting, a department in which he shone during the Test series against England. After all, Borde himself has admitted that while Ratra was probably the better wicketkeeper, Dasgupta was selected for balancing purposes.

Tinu Yohannan did enough against England to warrant a place in the squad as reserve medium-pacer. It is unlikely he will play at Nagpur, a venue that does not encourage the playing of three seam bowlers. Joining him on the sidelines should be Sanjay Bangar and Sarandeep Singh. The remaining players, batsmen and bowlers, picked themselves.

There really could not have been much for the selectors to think about. Sure, some others did figure in the discussions as admitted by the chairman but one suspects not for long. The composition of the Indian team these days is quite water tight and it would take an extraordinary feat or an extended good run with the bat or ball to get a look in. If you don't subscribe to this view, just ask Gautam Gambhir.