Is it the end of the road for Virender Sehwag, Harbhajan Singh and Zaheer Khan as far as the one day internationals are concerned with them not making the cut in the list of 30 probables announced for the Champions Trophy scheduled for June in EnglandIJ
The trio is well into 30s and either out of form or injured or both. Plus, there are ample replacements in the 30-man side which would make a comeback into the national colours in the ODI format extremely difficult. An eye on the World Cup in 2015 may be another factor wherein the selectors would like to breed in youngsters for the mega event.
That might be the logic behind the decision but then Cheteshwar Pujara and Pragyan Ojha, who are regarded Test match specialists, have been left out which indicates that this list might only be for Champions Trophy and that there can be a new beginning.
Pujara had made it into the Indian side during the England ODI series but didn’t get a match and finds himself out again. A case of déjà vu, we have seen Indian players making it into the Indian squad before also only to be left out without playing a match.
Starting with Sehwag, who is averaging just 22.55 in his last 11 ODIs after his world record 219 in 2011 against West Indies. The out of form Delhi Dasher had been dropped from the Indian ODI team after the first two matches against Pakistan earlier in the year and then was also not a part of the five-match series versus England that followed. He was also dropped after the first two Tests against Australia.
The Sehwag meter is falling day by day and with the likes of Murali Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan, who are young and ready to open in ODIs too, Viru’s return would be like a mountain to climb. Then, there is Ajinkya Rahane who might be considered as an opener along with even Rohit Sharma, like he opened in the last two ODIs against England in January. Even Gautam Gambhir, who made it in the list after missing out from the Test series against Australia might not be sleeping easy.
Off-spinner Harbhajan would have seen it coming as he is no longer regarded India’s number one spinner with Ravichandran Ashwin looking the premier one. Ravindra Jadeja, with his all-round abilities, makes ignoring Bhajji even easier. Conditions not suiting spin in England would also mean that only Ashwin and Jadeja make it to the final 15. So, Amit Mishra might have to wait longer.
Zaheer last played a one dayer in August 2012 and he would have to wait longer even if the swinging conditions in England favour him. The reason is that India have a good, potent list of pacers and ones who can swing the ball.
Ishant Sharma can be the experienced head and combine with the returning Umesh Yadav and the ever-improving Bhuvaneshwar Kumar to give the side a variety. Both Ishant and Umesh can bowl at the mid-140s while Kumar can swing the ball both ways and the conditions in England would only help him. Praveen Kumar has also made a return to the contenders, although his inclusion in the final 15 looks distant.
There were other youngsters who were considered good enough for the 30-man list and Parveez Rasool became the first player from the state of Jammu and Kashmir to make the cut.