Search begins at Hyderabad

India is all set to begin its long season ahead. A good choice of location to start off, considering that the T20 World Cup is to be played in similar conditions. A refreshing start given the position New Zealand are in international arena currently. Team India is also in a winning mode post their success in Sri Lanka recently.

With all such good things in sight, India now starts their home series in search of a new slip cordon. This is the first test post the 0-8 drubbing and we are yet to find proper replacements to arrest runs slipping away through that space. Of course this is the first test post the slip duo’s retirement. But this slot has to be replaced even before it’s identified.

Badrinath getting a place in the squad highlights the depleting talents for the antique format of the game. India is struggling to find proper players for designated spots. A clue that the next generation is in turmoil. Selectors couldn’t identify a promising player who can be groomed for the future and instead went for the untested, untried consistency of a domestic player. This is not what Dravid and Laxman retired for. The senior’s fore-thoughts were simple – to give enough opportunity to a youngster who, by time, gets out of the clutches of T20 popularity and masters the art called cricket. But the BCCI and their selectors are in a different league. It may be great on the part of selectors to finally give an opportunity to a deserved candidate but timing of such things matter most. India’s trial and error search for a batting anchor begins.

Having Ishant Sharma back without any proof, points to the depleting bowling resources. Or, is India out of stock in the bowler’s arena? No regrets in having Ishant Sharma back in the team and everybody is definitely expecting him to go back to the days of torturing Ponting. But no matter how dedicated, talented, important or superstar the player may be, he should have been tested in domestic conditions at least. No one can easily forget the way Virender Sehwag was brought into the team in England or the way Gautam Gambhir ignored his low fitness, post World Cup success. With Zaheer Khan already being given special care to elongate his career that bit more, India’s search for a strike bowler continues.

Debate will always continue on why Piyush Chawla is being considered, for any format. The argument can be made that Chawla is a wicket-taker and the counter argument is his economy rate. A wicket-taker in every match blinds the economy rates. With India always boasting of being a spinner’s paradise, especially down south, quality spinners were always a rare find. The burden became heavy after Anil Kumble’s retirement. Not able to withstand pressure, Harbhajan Singh is now in search of a phoenix-like performance. Pragyan Ojha somehow finds his place in a test squad every time and R Ashwin is not yet ready to take the mantle to lead one end. India still struggles to find quality spinners at home and the search will continue indefinitely.

Who after Mahendra Singh Dhoni? Not as a captain but as a wicketkeeper. Will it be Wriddhiman Saha or Dinesh Karthik or Parthiv Patel? But where are they? With no back up keeper(s) in the squad, Team India is yet to realize that the helicopter may hit the mountain any time. Search for a wicket keeper is yet to begin.

Can Dhoni still be leading his side calmly without those discussions while fielding? Can Tendulkar concentrate on his routine after being left alone? Will the magic of Pathan-Balaji combo be seen again? Will Kohli continue his performance? Sehwag/Tendulkar/Gambhir/Kohli – who is going to take the responsibility after Dravid and Laxman? Will Yuvraj Singh announce himself with his performance or earn sympathies and make an exit? Will India be capable of taking 20 wickets? Will India be injury free for a period of time? And many more… Search continues for everything and only time will give a suitable answer.

When search goes on in one end, batting takes India home in familiar conditions. The need for Sachin Tendulkar to fire, the form of Virat Kohli, familiar names back in squad, the fight for permanent positions still open and a fit, energized, full strength squad in place, Team India has nothing to lose and so can continue to search for a better performing future generation.