The composition for the first Test at Chennai is not an extremely difficult one. In the past there have been times when only 5-6 members picked themselves and it was a clear field for the rest. This time around I think about 8-9 members are sure shots who pick themselves...Its only getting tricky because Gangulys presence makes things a lot more interesting for the captain and the coach :))
Anyway here goes my two pennies on the issue....
These people are the sure shots in my book
Batting:Dravid
Sachin
Sehwag
Laxman
Bowling:Harbhajan Singh
Kumble
Pathan
Agarkar
Keeper
Dhoni
That leaves two open spots....One of the spots is definitely up for grabs for a batsman and the other for either a batsman or a bowler or a fielder as the team chooses...For chennai strip I would imagine that you will be tempted to choose two batsmen.
The contenders
Gautham Gambir: Has played reasonably well....Deserves to continue.....has performed very very well in the last series against Zimbabwe... Only opener choice available. That gives him a great advantage.
Saurav Ganguly: Wonderful record....Great batsman....Poor form of late puts team in a quandry....Issues about team morale has to be considered.
Yuvraj Singh: Has started maturing as a cricketer. Man of the series in the Ind-SA one day series. Hard to ignore his recent performances... A definite investment for the future of Indian cricket....By virtue of form and foresight he should edge his way into the team.
Kaif: Another long-term prospect. A definite India captain in the near future. A shrewd thinker and good sportsman. His batting has been steadily improving. And his fielding exploits along with Yuvraj could make a difference to the marale of the team during the longer version of the game...
Murali Kartik: Spinner. Good bowler. Has been performing well of late...Considering chepauk pitch...Not a bad idea. In fact considering the fact that Dhone Pathan and Agarkar can be expected to score some runs, a possibly worthy choice...But I dont think the pitch is going to offer enough to warrant 3 spinners. Moreover I think its best not to put pressure on the batting of Pathan and Dhoni but rather let them mature with time slowly and steadily...
RPSingh: I dont think he will be part of the 11 tomorrow eventhough he has been performing reasonably well...
The Argument:
Yuvraj Singh picks himself in the X1 for two reasons. 1. His recent form has been exemplary. He is a definite long-term prospect who needs to be nurtured. His presence in the team will raise fielding standards.....
If we want to stick to our opening pair Gautham Gambir picks himself as the opener and there ends all discussions about the X1.
But I am a little more experimental by nature and believe that Sachin needs to be given new challenges so that the genius can be motivated further. So I am inclined to let him open the Test with Sehwag. That gives us the competitive edge in two respects.
1. If both Sachin and Sehwag get into their grooves....SL start searching leather from ball 1 and that could be destructive fr their morale. In fact it was one such daring and bold move that sent Sehwag opening in the Tests too....Inspite of all predictions otherwise Sehwag has established himself as a great opener. I believe that this gives Sachin another challenge which will kindle the child in him to rise to greater heights of batsmanship.
2. Secondly this opens up the No:5 slot for Yuvraj....And that will help his growing batting....
Moreover, this also provides an opening for Laxman up the order. I think that is very important. Because he has proved Time and again that he is a great batsman in Tests but cannot rally with the tail enders. Several times he has been left in the lurch with tail enders and he just has no idea how to bat with them..Also considering the fact that he is really the "once I cross 70 I dont stop until 200" guy in the Indian team. So he needs to come in early so that we can capitalize on his huge scores...
If we do that then the choice in my mind boild down to either Kaif or Ganguly.....In that case I would still go with Kaif for two reasons.....FUTURE......and Fielding...and Team spirit and integrity of the team. If at all Ganguly gets a chance it must be in later Tests after he has gotten used to the idea that he must fight for his place in the team....He is a great batsman and I am in no doubt that he will bounce back with BIG scores...But I think he needs some time outside on the sidelines before he can fit into the Indian scheme of things.....
So here goes the list;
MY PICK OF X1 for Chennai Test in Batting Order
1. Sachin
2. Sehwag
3. Laxman
4. Dravid
5. Yuvraj
6. Kaif
7. Pathan
8. Dhoni
9. Agarkar
10. Harbhajan
11. Kumble
Inspite of whatever my preferences are I think most probably the X1 will be slightly different.
MOST PROBABLE X1 in batting order
1. Gautham Gambir
2. Sehwag
3. Dravid
4. Sachin
5. Laxman
6. Yuvraj
7. Dhoni
8. Pathan
9. Agarkar
10. Harbhajan
11. Kumble
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