Thursday, December 22, 2005

DIL Mange no "MORE"!!



It's selection time,and yet again,there are surprises galore!And not that it was entirely unexpected.Over the aeons, our honorable (?)selectors have built for themselves,a reputation for leaving the cricketing fraternity in a sort of stupor everytime they meet over for a selection.I have often endeavoured to find some sort of a rationale for their policy but I invariably hit an impasse.This time was no different.
At the forefront of affairs,is ofcourse the chairman of selectors,Kiran More(read chief puppet!).He seems to possess this uncanny knack of contradicting his own statements at every media briefing.Take a peek!
"We did not want Sourav at No. 6 because Yuvraj will play there. He has been consistent and we want to give him more opportunities. It's not done to have Sourav in the squad and not have him in the playing eleven." This was More after dropping Ganguly for the third test.

And this was the "changed" More, barely a week after having made the previous statment. " We got Sourav back because we needed some experience for the tough tour.I am not saying he will play in the XI. That will be selected by the team management..."

For heaven's sake,I dont know what transpired during the week(with respect to Kiran More that is, because all of us are aware of the meet concerning the "Future of Indian cricket" between Ganguly & Pawar) .The same Sourav who was "superflous" for Ahemdabad has,all of a sudden become "an experienced campaigner" for Pakistan.And talk of consistency in policy!I can think of only 2 reasons for this dramatic turnaround-one,Mr.Kiran More's faculties have gone week,in which case he ought to be replaced,& two,he has yielded to political obligations.

With the Pakistan tour beckoning,India needs to be at its very best.Pakistan is not the opponent it was when the Indians last faced them.Bob Woolmer,together with the burly Inzi, has built up a strong side for WC 2007. Shoaib Akhtar looks injury free in a long time.Now, with Sourav's inclusion,an internal battle seems to be brewing.Dravid & Chappell have an unenviable deal on their hands. The stage is set for a season of riveting drama....... watch out for more!!