The squads..quick reaction

So we have a ‘young squad’ for the BD ODI series, despite the selectors not ‘taking directives from BCCI’. Ah well…we got to the point, no matter what route we took.

So, here’s a first look at the squads, and some intial reactions from me. How about you?

ODI: Gautam Gambhir, Robin Uthappa, Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid (capt), Yuvraj Singh, Mahendra Singh Dhoni (wk), Dinesh Karthik, Manoj Tiwary, Dinesh Mongia, Piyush Chawla, Sreesanth, Munaf Patel, Zaheer Khan, RP Singh.

(a) That seems to be only 14 players, so far no reasons given.

(b) We go on a subcontinental tour (even if for ODI) with only one specialist spinner, and that too a rookie! (although my personal belief is Chawla would be a hit in ODI format). Why not pick Powar here as well? Fielding let him down?

(c) Why not ‘rest’ Sehwag too? Sure he was looking like back in touch (in ODIs atleast) but…umm…maybe he did not invite enough reason to be ‘rested’ unlike the other ’seniors’. Well…thats ok then.

(d) Pathan is out…which means he wasnt inspiring confidence even in Rahul, so it wasnt just the ’seniors’ who were not ready to field him

All in all…as good as it gets…I guess.

Test squad: Wasim Jaffer, Dinesh Karthik, Rahul Dravid (capt), VVS Laxman, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Yuvraj Singh, Mahendra Singh Dhoni (wk), Anil Kumble, Sreesanth, Zaheer Khan, VRV Singh, Ramesh Powar, Rajesh Pawar, Munaf Patel.

(a) Only one regular opener for a test tour! Karthik must have been consulted, I guess. For he seems to be the other one listed for the slot? Bad move, IMO, unless it is taken from a long term plan. In that case, I dont mind grooming him for a test opening slot, provided he is willing.

(b) The ’seniors’ are all there, so not much chance of even getting Yuvraj into the frame. Unless he is the one to be looked at as opener. That would be terrible, IMO, knowing his weaknesses. It may work against BD, but is bound to come unstuck against tougher sides.

(c) Did you notice that only AA and Bhajji from the WC squad have been omitted from both lists. That means they are the ones who are completely ‘dropped’. That plus Veeru from tests. He may make tons of runs in ODIs and make the selectors look stupid…but anyway that would be in the long term interest of the team. He can go back and start preparing for the Eng series then…and make a strong test comeback there.

(d) 3 spinners…including Rajesh Pawar the left armer. He is in good form, so for once a good move to give a youngster a direct chance in test matches when he is in good touch. He may have to fight with Powar for a place, though.

But the biggest news from this selection meeting has got to be that Rahul has been instructed not to take a leak during matches!!!…because he doesnt have a deputy..you see

Your turn?? (Meanwhile….I see Prem has already done a short take)

Update: Apparently Powar is included in ODI squad (that makes it 15 players). I got the list from cricinfo, perhaps they have missed out.