Selectors sending strong message to Ganguly, Yuvraj

The signals are clear if one goes by the selection of the players for the Irani Cup. The Rest of India is virtually the Indian team with some faces who have served for some time and some who promise to take over the mantle. It is a clear signal for some players to assess their careers.

Sourav Ganguly and Yuvraj Singh are the prominent names missing from the Rest of India team. What does that mean?

End of the road for one and a reminder to the other to shape up. Well, I don't know what the selectors would have in mind but there is an effort to put the process of transition in motion with earnest.

The Irani Cup has always been a prestigious fixture for those wanting to make a mark and for those who have made a mark and want to consolidate themselves. Many Indian careers have been launched from the Irani Cup and I also know of some who could not make it because they failed to exell in the Irani Cup, which, traditionally, has been the season's opener.

Dilip Vengsarkar, now chairman of the Senior Selection Committee, broke into the national team after a sensational Irani Cup century at Nagpur in late 1975, slamming stalwarts like Bishan Singh Bedi and Erapalli Prasanna. Anil Kumble too clinched a berth for the South African tour in 1991-92 with a superlative show in the Irani Cup at Delhi when he claimed 13 wickets.

The Irani Cup has always been a platform for aspirants to push their case. How times have changed. It is now a stage where established cricketers are trying to prepare for the season.
Not long ago, the Irani Cup was for the selectors to judge the new talent. It was great, Tiger Pataudi leading the team. Of course, we now have a legend like Anil Kumble leading the side.

I had said before the Sri Lanka tour that you can not prepare for a Test series by having a two-day camp. We saw the results of a hap-hazard preparation for the Test series.

So, it is a good step that the selectors have decided to play the best batting line up, minus of course Ganguly,for this important match. It is not a test to judge their caliber but means to allow them to get into the mould. With so many one-dayers and Twenty20 matches being played relentlessly, it is imperative that the players get into the five-day mould, especially when there is a question mark against your form.

In any case, I don't expect many changes in the Test team. Kumble will like to have his men, just as Dhoni demands his boys. It is natural for any captain to have his own men. It is the best time to test the resilience of some youngsters and I expect the selectors to give the new faces a decent run before discarding them.

I am happy to note that some office bearers have earned extensions for their good work. It speaks for the professionalism of the state association. Why can't we also reward the selectors with an extension when they too have done a good job. What is important is Indian cricket and not an Indian individual.