Passage from here to World Cup will not be a cakewalk

 

The team chosen for Tests against South Africa reflects the diminishment of authority of Greg Chappell and Rahul Dravid in selection. Two favourites of the current dispensation — Mohammed Kaif and Suresh Raina — have been dumped, while those considered unworthy till just the other day have been recalled.

 

The new selection committee under the chairmanship of Dilip Vengsarkar — and with the tacit support of the BCCI president Sharad Pawar it seems — has now taken upon itself the task of salvaging Indian cricket’s stock before the World Cup begins next March. They have swung into action aggressively to stem the rot.

 

This is evident as much from the return of Anil Kumble, Zaheer Khan, VVS Laxman and Sourav Ganguly — four seasoned players who had been omitted for one reason or another — as in the demotion of Virender Sehwag from vice-captain to ordinary player. The message is loud and unambiguous: we are not happy with what’s happening.

 

Of course, the passage from here to the World Cup will not be a cakewalk for the recalled players, especially the batsmen Ganguly and Laxman. In a sense, it is good that they have been asked to play in South Africa where both technique and temperament will come under greater pressure. Huge runs made on flat and friendly home pitches would give an inaccurate indication of their preparedness.

 

But while the return of Ganguly, Kumble and Zaheer Khan reflects the reversal of the youth-first policy propounded by Chappell, Laxman’s elevation as vice-captain suggests that the selectors and the BCCI are not unconcerned about complications arising from such quick changes. Given the short period between now and the World Cup, it is also important to prevent turmoil in the dressing room.

 

Sehwag’s extended poor form necessitated a stern warning - and what better than removing him from a position of some authority. Laxman — who is known to be close to Dravid — becoming vice-captain affords the beleaguered captain a cushion and relief in managing the dressing room.

 

Dravid will also be happy — relatively speaking — that Irfan Pathan’s skin has been saved. Till they met in Delhi on Thursday morning, the selectors were determined to drop the young all-rounder, who is suddenly facing a drought of wickets and runs. But in a last-ditch effort, the tour management has been able to salvage Pathan’s situation.

 

So it’s lose some and win some for Dravid and Chappell. But they will have to win a heck of a lot more from here for Indian cricket to reach the level of stability that everybody expects.