However, Mumbai’s Ramesh Powar and Wasim Jaffer are part of the 16-member Test squad announced by the selectors on Wednesday.
MUMBAI: Ever since the door was shut on former skipper Sourav Ganguly, selectors have adhered to the policy of blooding youngsters. So when Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Niranjan Shah revealed that all-rounder Ramesh Powar, paceman VRV Singh and middle-order southpaw Suresh Raina were in line to make their debut in the four-Test series against the West Indies, it raised no brows.
What did was the news that Ajit Agarkar was to be the fall guy — the ignored one. His improving economy rate and six wickets in the on-going ODI series in the West Indies makes him the standout bowler from the tour so far. But he had to make way for VRV Singh. Add to that, their befuddling decision to elevate Mahendra Singh Dhoni as a “back-up Test opener” should the need arise.
Twelve of the fifteen, who played India’s last Test against England in Mumbai, were included and Dinesh Kaarthick got the nod over Parthiv Patel, as the back-up gloveman.
Agarkar should not be faulted for feeling wronged but More’s logic was: “VRV Singh has potential and we want to groom him for the future. He also has the added advantage of pace. Test cricket is a different ball game and Agarkar’s Test record went against him. VRV has done well during the India A games against Pakistan.” Agarkar has 58 wickets at an unenviable average of 47.32. Neither have the advantage of having played Test cricket in West Indies. In the past, the selectors have backed and groomed young medium-pacers who have played little one-day cricket and they have done well in Tests, was More’s take. A case in point he highlighted was that of S Sreesanth.
Another Mumbaikar, Powar, though is reaping the rewards of a decent performance in ODIs and a fantastic domestic season. “Powar is the find of the season,” More said. “We have heard that the pitches have been re-laid for the World Cup and may turn and are slow.” Powar will complement the well-established duo of Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh.
VVS Laxman, Yuvraj Singh and skipper Rahul Dravid will form the chunk of the middle-order with Raina waiting in the wings. The selectors were closeted for a little over two hours on Wednesday and their decisions have the nod of skipper Dravid and coach Greg Chappell, who were woken up past midnight.
But no one is losing sleep over selection meetings any more. Not since the Ganguly debate has died down.
Set for Caribbean Test
Rahul Dravid (captain), Virender Sehwag (vice-captain), VVS Laxman, Anil Kumble, Yuvraj Singh, Wasim Jaffer, Mohd Kaif, Irfan Pathan, Suresh Raina, S Sreesanth, Munaf Patel, Harbhajan Singh, Ramesh Powar, MS Dhoni, Dinesh Kaarthick, VRV Singh
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}