Now all these young talents should get opportunity to develop in test cricket

Anshuman Gaekwad

Watching the Indian team in the tri-series and Asia Cup I can say Indian Cricket got next generation of cricketers as far as the ODIs are concerned.While watching India matches we were also talking about the senior cricketers.It that the team did not miss the likes of Sachin, Ganguly, Dravid. Under M.S Dhoni's captaincy, the Indians came together as a fighting unit to outplay any team in the world.Don't judge any team on the basis of a single performance or couple of failures.There are enough indications to suggest that we have the makings of a terrific ODI squad. After World Cup , Indian Cricket has changed a lot and now it becomes one of the best team in cricket world.Thanks to BCCI for IPL and also selectors for keeping faith on youngstars and on captain.

Sachin will be back in the team and it would be a pity that a youngster would have to make way. Nevertheless, the core of the Indian team that would serve the country in the coming seasons can be more or less identified. It is to be hoped then that the National selectors would repose faith in the young guns and give them a long run to establish their positions.

What we have seen in last few months? Indian team boasted great depth in batting line-up and also in the bowling attack.Captain and Coach have got lots of variety and options while selecting final eleven or on the field.It's True that the team could be more accurately judged when they will play against Australia and South Africa, but for the moment, there is every reason to feel optimistic of the future.Same time don't forget that this team won Tri Nation tournament in Australia beating world Champions and Sri Lanka.

In case of our batting, Sehwag, Gambhir and Yuvraj – top three are in good form and capable of providing early momentum to the innings.Followed by Raina ,Captain Dhoni , Rohit, I believe that these youngsters would be worthy carriers of India's batting legacy.Apart from them Uthappa , Yousuf Pathan are there.Although Yousuf Pathan failed to deliver his best but I am sure he will prove his talent soon.After a long period Indian team got lots of talented batsman.In this team there are ten players who can contribute with bat.Same time apart from for-five specialist bowlers, another four-five cricketers can do the job of part time bowler.Irfan Pathan failed due to injury but I hope that this young man would continue to develop into a leading all-rounder. In the ODIs, he play a key role.In my opinion , Selectors should consider Suresh Raina in test squad also.Hopefully Raina and few others will be in the test team soon.

Leggie Piyush Chawla also impressed us. In the IPL games, he has proved his big-hitting ability besides a daring to give the ball more air rather than sticking to just a restrictive line and length. During longer spells Piyush will be more effective with his bowling and he is bound to cement his position in the Test squad too once Kumble decides to retire.But in ODI's he should learn some variation in his bowling specially in flat pitches where bowlers are not getting any help.

In the bowling department we have Zaheer Khan, Sreesanth, RP Singh , Ishant Sharma.Also in the line Praveen Kumar,Manpreet Gony, VRV Singh , Ojha ,Munaf Patel.It will be really very difficult for Munaf and others to get back their position in the team.

Now all these young talents should get opportunity to develop in test cricket.The Onus is on Borad Officials to nurture these youngstars for not just ODI's or T20 but also for Test Matches.Along with One Day International They should get a scope to play test matches by rotation.And in this case I fully agree with Indian Coach Gary Kirsten who is in favour of rotation policy.Everyone will be benefited by this kind of system-Players will get rest , others will get an opportunity to play and Coach will get a scope to try various combinations.

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