Suresh Raina and Manoj Tiwary’s crackling double tons, for Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal respectively, in the Ranji Trophy openers have given selectors problems aplenty.
There are many lurking in the wings with forceful knocks in the first round of Ranji Trophy
MUMBAI: Suresh Raina and Manoj Tiwary’s crackling double tons, for Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal respectively, in the Ranji Trophy openers have given selectors problems aplenty when they meet to pick the team for the rest of the Pakistan series.
Raina and Tiwary currently top the charts for getting a call to the national squad sooner rather than later. Then there are those still waiting in the wings — Parthiv Patel and S Badrinath who have been consistent enough throughout the season to stake a claim.
Also, let us not forget recent discards Rahul Dravid and Dinesh Karthik.
There are plenty of options available for selectors, and this has put lot of pressure on the current squad to perform to the best of their ability.
At the moment, any minor slip in form may lead to their being ousted from the squad. And that’s what happened with former Indian captain Dravid.
Since the World Cup, Dravid has played 20 ODIs and scored 460 runs at a meagre average of 30.67, which pales in comparison with the likes of Gautam Gambhir (42.20) and Robin Uthappa (41.57).
With chief selector Dilip Vengsarkar insisting that the selection of Indian squad for the first two ODIs against Pakistan was “purely on merit,” there is no way anyone can take their place for granted.
And with reports of Sourav Ganguly as the next candidate to be dropped, it’s a great time for the youth to put their hand up.
Former Indian captain Bishen Singh Bedi feels it’s a healthy sign for the future of cricket in the country. “The youngsters are making their presence felt. And it’s a challenge for the current players to retain their place in the squad.”
He added “Raina and Tiwary are the hottest property in domestic cricket and are strong contenders to make it into the national squad.”
Raina had an ordinary outing in the last Ranji season, scoring at an average of 36.33.
But this season has been nothing short of extraordinary. He was the top-scorer at the Challenger Series with 206 runs and ended up with man-of-the-series award. His 203 against Orissa certainly put him back on the selectors’ radar.
The case is similar with Tiwary. Last season he scored 796 runs at a staggering average of 99.50. He has started this season in fine style, scoring a fabulous ton in the Irani Trophy.
He continued with a good showing in the Challenger and a knock of 203 against Hyderabad.
Former coach Anshuman Gaekwad says, “The players in the current team, no matter whether they are seniors or juniors, have to perform or could be axed. Look what happened to Rahul Dravid, one bad series and he is out of the team.”
Apart from Raina and Tiwary, Gaekwad points out to S Badrinath and Parthiv Patel. “Badrinath has been consistent for the last couple of seasons and Parthiv has emerged as a good wicketkeeper-batsman. They may or may not get selected but they have to keep on performing.”
This season has seen a resurgence for Patel, who had a good outing for India ‘A’ at home hitting four centuries on the trot. He made it five at the Irani trophy after a scintillating 179 in the first innings and a half-ton in the second.
These youngsters are definitely carving a niche for themselves and will not be straying too far from the selectors’ radar.
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