IND-SRI TEST SERIES - THE INDIAN SQUAD

Test Cricket is the best form of cricket beyond doubt.Old is Gold and test cricket is a fine example.In this modern era of fast, annoyingly money minded and glamorous cricket, test cricket still holds its head high. The Indian selectors never fail to give you a chance to criticize them though.In India, quantity is always given more weightage than quality. Instead of giving Raina a break to develop himself, to turn into a better cricketer,to work on his short bowl problem,they have incredibly started comparing him with Waugh and Ganguly!Raina is an aggressive batsman who likes to play his shots,no matter what the situation demands and is by no means ready for test cricket as yet.

Wriddhiman Saha has been named in the Indian national test sqaud! This should mean that currently, he is the second best keeper after Dhoni.This gives us an insight of the level of cricket and standard of players in domestic circuit.South Africa have come a long way and have the stylish AB De villers as the replacement for Boucher.New Zeland have the dangerous Brendom Mc Cullum after Adam Parore.Sri Lanka found Sangakkara after Romesh Kaluwitharana and Chandimal looks good to take on the responsibility from Sangakkara when the time comes.Legends like Adam Gilchrist and Alec Stewart are witnessed once in a lifetime and to find a replacement for them is like finding Krypton in your backyard!! England do not seem to be doing badly in the hands of Matt Prior and Keiswetter while Australia have Brad Haddin to take on the responsibility with
young Matthew Wade and the dashing Luke Ronchi waiting in the wings.Dhoni has been the best wicketkeeper for India and has replaced the likes of Nayan Mongia, Saba Karim,Ajay Ratra and Parthiv Patel!!It is dismal to see India's future in hands of players like Saha.Instead,Karthik and Parthiv should have worked on their game,capitalized on the exposure they were given and should have become instant choices after Dhoni.

Yuvraj Singh has been selected for this test series, just after being dropped for the Asia cup. One wonders if this much time was enough to give him a message or to allow him to work on his game and fitness.Wasn't his axing supposed to give him some time for self reflection and set his priorities right?This selection is a clear indication that no matter what,it was a certainty Yuvraj would return irrespective of achieving the goal behind his axing.Perhaps the board felt that the message has been passed and leaving Yuvraj may backfire as he might take this in a wrong way. If the board takes a positive step and makes a bold decision, then it should stick with it rather than giving away and succumbing to the fear of losing a star player to his attitude.Rohit Sharma is a player with immense talent and quality.Technically,he looks the best of the younger generation and bats for fun when on song.Giving him a chance to play in a meaningless test series against a quality side like Sri Lanka and with legend like Dravid and Laxman would have done his future no harm.

Ishant Sharma has made it to the squad and should be looking to make an impact and come back in the good eyes of the selectors.This series shall give an idea of how well he utilized the break from international cricket.Sreesanth has been off color after a rollicking start to his career. The emotional reaction,the dancing jig in front of Nel in South Africa, made him a hero overnight as he failed to deal with the limelight it brought.Perhaps he enjoyed the attention and made an aggressive,over expressive at times, image for himself.Its time his cricket took the driver's seat with dancing and enjoyment taking the back seat.

The likes of Sachin, Dravid and Laxman are back for this test series.As a cricket fan, i am dejected no end even on the thought of retirement of these matchless jewels of the game.But practically, thats how its going to be a couple of years from now. And hence, its time the likes of Sehwag developed a more flexible approach towards the game.In their presence, Sehwag has enjoyed the luxury of playing his natural game, no matter what the situation demands.Its high time he starts taking some responsibility.Sachin,Dravid and Laxman are legends of the game, true gentlemen who are fully committed to the cause of the team.A team with such unparalleled and inordinate players is seen once in a century.To find suitable replacements for such cricketers is next to impossible.Hence,it should be big worry for the selectors as its not long before our beloved heroes call it a day.The likes of Raina,Kohli and Vijay look comprehensively incompetent to take on the mantle and maintain the No.1 status in test cricket achieved by the greats,which should have been India's in test cricket a decade ago.The golden goose ain't got too many eggs now!For now, let's sit back and enjoy what is going to be referred to as the Golden era of Indian test cricket.