Bye Bye Ganguly

Cricket season for India is just a week away. One of the toughest year for Indian Test Cricket is about to begin. 4 Test Matches against Australia , 3 against England and 3 against Pakistan @ Pakistan is what Indian Test Team is going to play in the next 6 months.

New Group of Selectors will certainly bring new hopes and new ideas. Selection Committee Chairman, Kris Srikanth was known for his aggressive shot selection and one of the bravest test captain which was thrown away after controversial India's Tour of Pakistan in late 80's.

One of the Talk in Town during the selection would certainly be: Ganguly. It has been that way ever since Indian Cricket hired Greg Chappel. I was one of the greatest admire of captain courageous Ganguly in early 2000 till 2004. India needed someone who can just give it to Australian Attitude and English Posture. It was Ganguly who gave birth to this new outlook of Indian Cricket Team. He inserted to "give it back to Opposition" stance. No One can Take Away, What Ganguly has given to the team of India and no one can argue about his fighting quality to faught back and get back in the team.

However, I think Time has come now that he himself switch off his "Test Match career" to give chance to Younger Generation. IPL 2008 has given so many young stars who could prove themselves at the test match arena and I certainly think they are ready to take on the World. Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma, Yuvraj Singh and S.Badrinath certainly deserve a chance and should be given a chance now.

Easiest decision for the selectors is going to be to choose the 3 Opening batsmen's for this upcoming Australian Tour. Virendra Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir are not only the best combination for One Dayers but also for Test Matches. Back Up Opener in case of any injury would be Akash Chopra.

Middle Order group of batsman should be : Rahul Dravid, Tendulkar, Laxman, Suresh Raina. With Dravid and Tendulkar being at number 3 and 4 is no brainer, many would argue the selection of Laxman. Laxman can be given a chance looking at his past career against Australia. Lately, he is not in his best form but this series could be an Utlimatum for him. Also, Sitting Out Ganguly should be a clear message to Laxman that he or Dravid could be next if they dont perform. Now Why Suresh Raina and not Yuvraj Singh. Answer is Simple: Look at last 12 months and compare Yuvraj's Performance and Suresh Raina's Performance. This kid Suresh Raina is all-round player. He can play both spin and swing bowling, He can attack and play a long inning as he has shown in his small Ranji Trophy career. Also, Giving Suresh Raina a chance will be a clear message to Dravid and Laxman that Yuvraj is knocking the door. Also this would be a message to Yuvraj Singh, Perform or Youngstars will take charge. Back-Up Option in the Middle Order should be given to : ROHIT SHARMA.

Selection of Dhoni as a wicket-keeper is no brainer as well. Spin Department will be in the hands of Kumble and Harbhajan. Many has hinted Kumble should retire but I think he is still the best bowler in the subcontinent pitches to take the wickets. Perhaps, this would be the last 10 test matches, he could play and I think He will feature in all of the 10 test matches unless he is injured. Entire Year, Piyush Chawla should be kept in the team so that he can learn few things from this Master Spinner and then perhaps end of 2009, he is ready to take over the responsibility of Spin Department from Kumble.

IPL 2008 has also gave too many fast bowling option to Indian Team. Zaheer Khan, R.P Singh, Irfan Pathan and in form Ashish Nehra are left handed fast bowling Option.
Munaf Patel, Ishant Sharma, Sreesanth, Gony, VRV Singh etc. Top 3 Bowlers in current form and experience are: Zaheer Khan , Ishant Sharma and Munaf Patel.

Final Squad: Sehwag, Gambhir, Dravid, Tendulkar, Laxman, Raina, Dhoni,Kumble, Harbhajan,Zaheer and Ishant Sharma.

Reserved: Munaf Patel, Piyush Chawla and S.Badrinath/Rohit Sharma.