Vijay has to deserve Every opportunity......PREVIEW.... Much has already been written about the decision to not include Gautam Gambhir in the Indian touring team to South Africa. In fact, my friend Deep Dasgupta is his most recent column for Cricbuzz has suggested that India may have missed a trick by not including Gautam in the team. Some have even conjectured if this marks the end of Gautam Gambhirs India career. While I have absolutely no doubt Gautam has it in him to make a comeback and still has some good years left in him to serve the country, I dont think we have missed a trick by not including him in the touring party. Importantly, what people havent taken into account is the number of Test matches India will be playing in South Africa. We are playing two Test matches and not three. And the two Test matches will be preceded by one two day tour game at Benoni. Even if Murali Vijay fails in the first Test you certainly cant drop your preferred opener after just one opportunity. The least we ought to give Vijay is a run of two Test matches. If that sounds logical theres no way Gautam would have made the first team in South Africa. Also, Dhoni has always preferred to give his boys a longish rope and going by that yardstick Vijay will get to play the two Tests against Steyn and Morkel. In such a situation and with the New Zealand series slotted straight after, it makes much greater sense to allow Gautam to play domestic cricket than to take him to South Africa and not play him. It is not about sitting out a senior cricketer. Anyone can sit out if it is in the interests of the team. More important is what we achieve by taking Gautam to South Africa? Frankly speaking, nothing whatsoever. There is very little chance of him getting a game and with the Ranji trophy on in full swing, it is far more important for the Indian team of the future to have Gautam ready to step in if and when the need arises. Also, he has a terrific record in New Zealand and with India playing the next 15 test matches away from home there is every reason to believe Gautam will surely get his opportunity if he is consistent enough in the Ranji trophy. Had Gautam been included in the South African touring party it would also have increased the pressure on Vijay. The signs would have been natural enough for him to fathom- you fail and we have a very senior man waiting in the ranks. Now that Gautam isnt part of the team Vijay too can rest easy and play with a relatively free mind. He doesnt have to worry about his spot after one Test match and that often eases the pressure on a performer. While I dont wish to suggest that we persist with a non performer, it is also important that s proper balance is struck with reference to the number of opportunities a person deserves. And in that sense the Sandeep Patil led selection committee has got it right with Vijay and Gautam. For Zaheer Khan on the other hand the story is different. It is evident that Zaheer will make the playing XI and will be partnering Bhuvi and Shami in the first Test match. Between the three of them and Ashwin we have a potent bowling attack and if they can keep their head and not get carried away, they do have the potential to pick 20 wickets in a Test match. And with Umesh Yadav waiting in the wings, we have enough firepower in the reserves not to worry too much about possible injuries. This is more why the picking of Zaheer Khan is indeed an inspired selection. Where I do have issues with the selection committee is on the choice of Ishant Sharma. He is almost certain to sit out and in case of an injury it is expected that Umesh will have the first go. In such a situation why not try out a rookie than the tested Ishant who has already been given way too many opportunities? A youngster getting an opportunity to be mentored by Zaheer Khan in South Africa wouldnt have been a bad option going forward.
Posted on: Sun, 01 Dec 2013 14:07:37 +0000
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