Successive selection committees under Dilip Vengsarkar and Kris Srikkanth had made it clear that they were keen on building a winning squad for the 2011 World Cup to be held in the sub continent. Against this background the recall of Rahul Dravid was clearly a retrograde step. Whatever merits his supporters might have found in his being reinstated after a two-year gap, Dravid's return was by no means going to offer a long term solution.
Thankfully, the selectors have realized this and have dropped him for the ODI series against Australia. Given his batting approach and his fielding which has seen better days, Dravid was increasingly looking a misfit in an Indian team getting younger and younger. The former captain now nearer 37 than 36 has rendered yeomen service to the team in the shorter version of the game but his time is past. He will no doubt continue to lend grace and strength to the Test squad but his overall strike rate of 71 in ODIs seems archaic as compared to most of the current team members who average between 85 and 100.
Indeed, there are only about 16 months to go for the World Cup and it is important that the selectors do not seek ad hoc solutions and keep the focus firmly on youth. Actually, the Indian team has a well settled look and the bench strength also is strong. This is reflected in a number of significant victories since the triumph in the CB Series in Australia in February last year.
There have been a couple of blips along the way, the setback in the recent ICC Champions Trophy being one of them. But, overall, the record has been exemplary and this is underlined by the No 2 slot that the Indians currently occupy in the ICC ODI rankings.
It is inevitable that a youth policy could meet with some hiccups but it is also important that the selectors maintain faith in youngsters and keep their focus on long term plans and not short term solutions. A few failures by the youngsters should not deter the selectors from adopting a far sighted policy which will benefit the Indian team in the long run.
Sachin Tendulkar seems determined to play till the 2011 World Cup and this determination has seen him among the runs. Even at 36, he is fully deserving of a place. The rest of the batting - Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni, Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir are automatic choices. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are waiting in the wings and should be encouraged. Kohli has in fact found a place in the side to meet the Aussies but Rohit's turn will surely come.
The bowling too is in good hands. Harbhajan Singh and Amit Mishra again form the spin duo in the current squad but it is good to know that Pragyan Ojha and Piyush Chawla are around to keep them on their toes.
The pace bowling scenario despite hiccups wears an encouraging look. When for example the selectors have found it fit to drop RP Singh they have also unearthed an exciting young talent in Sudeep Tyagi. Munaf Patel was bound to make a comeback on current form and the presence of Ashish Nehra and Praveen Kumar is reassuring.
There remains the problem of Ishant Sharma. He has been retained in the squad despite a lean run of late. I am firmly of the view that he needs a break after which he is sure to come back a better bowler - the kind of bowler who burst upon the scene so dramatically a couple of years ago. Perhaps for a start he could be used sparingly in the series against the Aussies.
The one issue that continues to affect the Indian team's balance is the No 7 slot. Irfan Pathan was the last to fill the place with some substance. Since then the problem has persisted. Yusuf Pathan seemed to be the answer but he has flattered only to deceive. Abhisekh Nayar in his limited opportunities never gave the impression that he was fit for elevation to the utility man's slot in the national squad. Ravindra Jadeja is the latest to fill the position and it is to be hoped that he comes good against the Aussies. Otherwise the selectors will have to fall back upon Irfan Pathan.
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