Monday, January 16, 2012

Indian test cricket is dead,long live..

This particular blog  title pretty much sums up about what all,I am sure,Indian cricket fans would have felt this afternoon,a sense of bewilderment,rage,confusion on yet another abject overseas test series defeat.THIS was supposed to the best chance ever for the "Fab 4" to be part of the winning side in a Down-Under series.But Murphy's Law had other plans.
Amidst the ever increasing clamor for the seniors to retire,let us not forget that three of the quartet have served with distinction for Indian cricket for more than a decade and a half and they deserve to go out in a winning series,not one which leaves bitter memories of "if only", for years to come.The BCCI,people,fans.media owe them that much at least, especially since India plays all it's test series at home for the next two years,it would be ideal for the Big 3 to play their last test at their respective home ground.
As for the next-gen players,here are a few,which I am sure,would form the core of the team  at least for the next decade: Abhinav Mukund,Ajinkya Rahane,Che.Pujara (ideal for the no:3 slot),Virat Kohli (captain),Rohit  Sharma,R.Ashwin (he is a good enough batsmen to play as high as num:6,more like a batting all-rounder),Manoj Tiwary,Dinesh Karthik (w.k/v.c),Robin Bist (opening batsmen,the best in Ranji for the past two years),Robin Uthappa (gutsy opening bat option), Ambati Rayudu (the most exciting talent before being sucked into the "other" IPL..ICL),Suresh Raina (potential captian,surely someone can teach him how to play the short stuff), Srivats Goswami (back-up w.k), Pragyan Ojha (he is a must in the test team).Umesh Yadav,Varon Aaron,Praveen Kumar,Ishant Sharma,Kamran Khan (left arm sling action fast bowler,played under Warnie in IPL,was highly recommended) and probably Irfan Pathan if he can get back his pace,would be a good medium pace all-rounder.There will definitely be few others in the mix,due to loss of form,injuries to the afore-mentioned players,but potentially they will be the guys who will be taking over the mantle sooner than later.
A good way of simulating over-seas match conditions for these players,is for the BCCI to allow them to participate in tournaments like the Big-Bash etc.Not the ideal way to get prepared for the "proper-formats",but not the worst either.

Indian cricket is dead,long live Indian cricket.