how can we build bench strength when we are not going to give them chances when the things are hot and alive that demands the temperament of a player to be tested more than his talent...?
of late the thinking of team india management has been that you win the series by taking unassailable lead and then in the rest matches try out the players who were reduced to wander around without purpose or to carry drinks bottle to the ground... knowing very well that they won't play coz the series is still alive...
the theory is just not feasible until unless you are so sure of yourself... coz as we have seen even in this 7 matches long odi series... we have not yet tested our bench warmers coz we could not close the series when the opportunities were there to do it... and we end up playing almost same eleven through out... leaving players and mostly bowlers overworked and fatigued for the next series... which can be seen how nehra moved so heavily in field in later part of the series... no wonder that we replace players in series only when we have to... owing to injury...
the management either does not seem to have faith in their ability or they have fixed mindset about the players they want to play... so even if at least there were two pitches which demanded the selection of two front line spinners would be better idea... they decided to stick to the same eleven... and so was the pitch like mohali and nagpur which had more pace and bounce in it... sudeep tyagi was not even thought upon as the suitable candidate despite him being in good confidence and form coming in the team...
if these players are not good to represent team india to be given the opportunities in live matches then why select them... what message we are sending to these players who wait endlessly for the opportunities sitting on the sidelines only to be given the chances in dead rubber matches as if we are saying to them... go enjoy there... we have already done the job... and even of you do good there coming in out of cold... you know we are not going to pick you when the next series will start... coz you played in matches the results of which didn't matter to us... as we have a 'fixed' team...
no wonder that complacency has started to creep in the ranks knowing that our spot is unchallenged in the team... so sehwags can throw their wickets around in the name of natural game... raina too can afford to relax even when he got at least two very good opportunities in the middle to cement his place but he blew it away... so is bhajji who know that he can bowl darts unchallenged coz he will always be the leading spinner of the team despite that and bcoz he can bat... but forgetting that if he bowl the way a leading and world class spinner like him supposed to bowl then more often than not we won't even require bhajji the bat...
we all lament about the ruthlessness of team india... that we don't seem to close the games we are supposed to do... but if we on one hand keep giving leeway to non-performers for long... where that ruthlessness will come from...? if all players on the team are on their toes irrespective of their stature... knowing that they can't afford to throw the same dish around... they will be more aware... more focused to grab the opportunities that comes by knocking...
i know its oft-repetitive joke... but you get the point...
either we should reconcile to the fact that this is the best current team can provide... or we must select best eleven who can carry on to do the job under prevailing circumstances without prejudiced preferences...
coz to me... like charity... ruthlessness too begins at home...
7 comments:
can you elaborate scorpy...?
I don't really think there is ruthlessness or if there is, it is towards those who have fewer connections or towards those who are one too many from the same region. They should select players based on merit, and it doesn't matter what other credentials they have, like connections for example. I wish there was ruthlessness. Like in Australia there is.
welcome nita... hope you will keep dropping by...
exactly... we must select players for their talent and performances irrespective of their stature... connection... and proximity to the powers that be... if we manage to achieve this simple but hard to follow strategy more often than not we will play consistently... coz then players will always be on toes...
Well said SP...no wonder the rocket shoots up like an arrow and is gone in th blink of an eye to reach unreachable heights.
Our men have different fires burning now and in different spots.
That kind of fire doesn't make for good flights.
The thing is somebody will do himself in far sooner than we can imagine...some of these boys are not in this for a long haul like Dravid or Tendulkar. Five yeats of regular selection is all they play for.
thanks sb...
i really don't have any problems with the fact the they opt for five years haul... unless they give it best shot for the desired period... rather than pulling their weight for the hack of it...
having said that i want to see dhoni & com (think tank) must discard the extra flab and friendship (or proximity) should be the last thing in their mind to select a player...
i hope to see earnest and new comers like tyagi, mishra etc should be given their due rights to fail fair and square without prejudices... this will not only keep some complacent egos in check but will cultivate healthy competition within team...
Players paranoid about their spot on the team won't play well, but at the same time, players totally complacent about their spot in the team hurts themselves and the team. Resting people is a good way to start I think.
However, when a series falls apart like this, someone needs to be getting reacquainted with the domestic competition to sharpen up.
could not agree more nathan...
there is one such player... bhajji who's form and confidence is crying for a break to get things sharpen up in domestic setup... but such is the protection shield around him that team is carrying him like a baggage... while some deserving players are getting overlooked...
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