Indian Cricket - The Selectors Suck

It’s official now. The BCCI Selectors of the Indian Cricket Team have all lost it. The panel which was dubbed “a bunch of jokers” in the yesteryears, have truly lived up to their name and reputation by axing Sourav Ganguly from the forthcoming one-day triangular series in Australia featuring Australia, India and Sri Lanka. To top it all they have still kept out Rahul Dravid who appeared to be all set, back in form and ready to take on the challenge in the lively pitches of Australia.

Not only is this decision to keep out the duo shocking, it is absolutely demoralizing for the millions of fans, who look up to these players for inspiration and motivation. Between the two of them they have the rich experience of over 600 ODIs. And both of them are in fine form now. In fact, just have a look at Sourav’s performance since his comeback. He has played 32 matches and scored 1240 runs at an average of 44+. Mr. Chairman of Selectors, who was the Man of the Series in the last completed series? Mr. Chairman of Selectors, who scored the second highest runs in the last calendar year in the world?

The disgusting Secretary of BCCI thinks Sourav isn’t fit for the team because of his running between the wickets and fielding. Mr. Secretary, if Sourav’s running between the wickets and fielding is poor, please show the fans and lovers of Cricket in India, another one poor runner and fielder who has amassed 11,221 runs in 308 matches at an average of over 40. Sourav has improved his running between the wickets and fielding with every passing year and is currently on a high in terms of form and motivation and this is the worst decision that could have been taken, and that is exactly what the Chairman of the “bunch of jokers” ordered.

And someone from the selection panel please explain to me why VVS Laxman doesn’t deserve to be in the ODI team? Laxman is probably one of the most successful batsmen against Australia. He could have easily replaced totally out of form and injured Yuvraj Singh. And why is Murali Kartik out? He is one of the most respected spinners in the Indian colours.

Horrible decision. This is not cricket.

Somehow, the double standards keep continuing. On one hand it is Ganguly’s alleged poor running and fielding and on the other hand, the BCCI wants a young team. Right, you have a young team. But a cardinal rule and probably the most logical rule in cricket selection is that you keep faith in your most experienced guys who are fit enough to see you through difficult tours against tough opposition. All experimentation is reserved for the minnows, where surprisingly the BCCI doesn’t ever seem to experiment.

Injustice has been meted out to the two greatest cricketers of India, and people all over the country would protest, I am sure. I would also like to let the advertisers know that this may harm your interests as interest in cricket may reach such an abyss that your earning will start taking big dives. Take note, one and all, and attempt to redress the situation at the earliest.

India Face Exit in the ICC World Cup 2007

What a disgrace? Shameful.

India is virtually out of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 after their second loss in the preliminary round robin league phase. The first loss cam against the relative minnows Bangladesh, and yesterday the Indian team took the thrashing meted out by the Sri Lankans. India lost by 69 runs, getting nowhere close to the target and not giving any fight at all. Lame losers.

And now the team that was the runner up last time around, will not even feature in the top 8. What curse has befallen this erstwhile cricketing glory?????

Curse or not, Greg Chappel has to answer a few questions and whatever the answers he needs to be sacked immediately. Immediately. Many of the fans were vocal against his experiments throughout the last 2 years, but a far greater number was willing to take a chance, with a hope to win the World Cup. Greg kept on saying that he was focusing long term, and had the World Cup in sight. And what has he given in the World Cup? A first round exit to the last time runner up???????

Chappel got into controversy with Sourav Ganguly, universally acclaimed to be the best all time captain of India, and also the most aggressive, in Zimbabwe, and pulled many ropes to axe the glorius Sourav out of the team. To win the World Cup?

Irfan Pathan became a prolific batsman under Guru Greg’s motivation and hawk eyes, to win the World Cup! How many matches was he fit to play in the World Cup? He cannot even feature in the first XI. And he was such a good swing bowler. Greg wasted him.

Under Greg’s patronage, Dravid tried to play the role of the schemer. All his schemes well anticipated by almost all the oppositions and falling flat in most occasions. His on field captaincy was horrible and he never seemed to inspire any one to do anything much, forget about anything extra. Absolutely no aggression, no feeling for the team, just robotically changing the bowlers. And what was he doing batting so low down the order? His 60 in the match against Sri Lanka would have been more meaningful at no.3. So what was he doing so low down? Making room for buddy Virendra Sehwag. Viru, of all people has been off form throughout the last one year but has only been dropped for a couple of matches. He should be dropped forever, if Sourav could have been dropped for almost 10 months.

I am afraid, changes are required. Bold ones at that. But will Vengsarkar be the strong man he is rumored to be?

Greg must be sent packing to Australia straight from the Carribean Islands. For security reasons, at least. Dravid, as a captain, should be sacked immediately. Sehwag dropped for at least a couple of series, during which he could try county or domestic cricket and regin his form and fitness and in the interlude lose at least 10 kgs. Sachin must retire. If he doesn’t, he should be dropped. The reins of the team should be passed on back to Sourav and Yuvraj should be his deputy, and should be groomed to handle the reins by the end of this year, when most probably Sourav retires. It should be mandatory for the selectors to select the highest and second highest run getters and wicket takers in the Ranji matches, into the national side. Dhoni should be asked to get himself a haircut for a month in Ranchi and Kaartick can keep the stumps for while.

Their combined effort has stunned the millions of fans across the globe. Hoever, the chances of India qualifying into the next round is only academic. Bermuda must defeat Bangladesh by a good margin. I see no probability there. But my heart wants that to happen. What a shame, the fate of Indian cricket to be decided in a match between Bangladesh and Bermuda. Isssssssssssssh!