SO, ARE WE READY TO TOUR DOWN UNDER?


Cricket aficionados and cricket experts will be eagerly looking forward to the high-octane contest between India and Australia. It will be an uphill task for Dhoni and his men. Arriving in Australia with the wounds of the England tour still unhealed. 

Picking up a bunch of the best 17 the country has to offer, wasn’t an easy task for the selectors. Some players might have picked themselves on the sheer weight of their reputation and performance, but for the rest, it wasn’t that easy. Looking at the fitness levels of our players, it would be a good idea to have atleast a couple of them ready with their visas, to fly out at the eleventh hour. 

These extras should essentially be seamers, knowing Zaheer and Ishant still flirting with injuries. The last thing Dhoni would want is an injury to his lead bowlers. That would expose the young quick bowlers against some formidable Australian batting lineup. 

The top batsmen pick themselves. Gambhir and Sehwag would still be the choice for an ideal opening pair. Undoubtedly, this is the last time we will see Tendulkar, Dravid and Laxman represent India in Tests in Australia. And with Yuvraj out of the reckoning, the onus to fill in the No.5 and 6 spots falls on the young shoulders of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

The bowling might look suspect. Especially, if injuries come knocking at the doors of Zaheer and Ishant. Youngsters like Yadav, Mithun and Vinay Kumar are still cubs against the might of the Australians. Though they might have impressed in their own spheres, its promise rather than achievement, which is their qualification. And with Harbhajan out, the spinning department too looks tad vulnerable. 

It’s not going to be easy for Dhoni. But knowing him and his tenacious ways, I’m sure, he will come out of this one unscathed. He has been leading a side that has players he idolised. And these have been players of immaculate repute and rare talent. So let us all sit back and savour the series, which unfolds at the MCG on the Boxing Day.



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