Indian selectors name balanced squad for Kolkata Test

The Indian selectors have picked a more balanced squad for the second Test against South Africa starting February 14 after the selector blunder resulted in India’s debacle in Nagpur. The squad now has a proper batsman in Suresh Raina, reliable batsman – keeper Dinesh Karthik and speedster Sreesanth who has recovered completely from thigh strain.

By calling Sreesanth, the selectors have dropped the untested Sudeep Tyagi and Abhimanyu Mithun. Wridhiman Saha who made a surprise Test debut is also left out in cold by the selectors. Dinesh Karthik who was dropped for his lackluster performance in Bangladesh makes yet another comeback after his twin centuries in the Duleep Trophy final against the West Zone.

Raina, who has played 87 ODIs for India will be a part of the Test team for the first time. However it is likely that the team management will opt for Dinesh Karthik who is a more experience player with 23 Test caps than a debutant for this crucial match. Indian needs nothing less than a win in Kolkata to level the series and keep the No. 1 ranking with them. Sreesanth’s inclusion will also a be blessing in disguise for the Indian team as Ishant Sharma after a promising first spell ended up with 28 wicket less overs in the first Test. The other important development is that VVS Laxman who missed the Nagpur Test with webbing injury, is declared fit and will take the middle-order slot.

Meanwhile, Krishnamachari Srikanth, the chairman of selection panel has own up to the selection fault in his interview to an Indian English news channel. He also said that the selectors have learnt a lesson from the incident and he is ready to give up his post of chairman if asked.

Squad: MS Dhoni (Captain / Wk), Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Murali Vijay, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, S Badrinath, Harbhajan Singh, Amit Mishra, Zaheer Khan, Sreesanth, Ishant Sharma, Pragyan Ojha, Dinesh Kartik, Suresh Raina

BCCI honchos meet Sena Supremo over IPL threat

ICC vice-president and veteran politician Sharad Pawar along with present Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Shashank Manohar met local political party Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray and his son Uddhav Thackeray at the latter’s residence appealing to stand down from their decision of protesting Australian cricketers from taking part in the Indian Premier League in Mumbai. The meeting followed after Sena raised their protest condemning the string of attacks on Indian students living in Australia.

The meeting was reported to be for about two hours where the BCCI representatives explained the concept of IPL and how the staging of IPL will benefit the local Maharashtra cricketers. “We presented our viewpoint before Thackeray on this critical issue. We tried to convince him that only one or two Australian players will participate in the IPL matches and by not allowing all IPL matches it is the state players who will lose ultimately,” explained Manohar.

“We also explained to them the format of the IPL teams and matches and how there were one or two Australian players in each team. Thackeray has asked for a detailed presentation on the issue which we will be providing in couple of days and thereafter he would consider our request,” he added.

Following Sena’s threat to disrupt IPL matches in Mumbai, Indian home minister P Chidambaram guaranteed security to Australian cricketers. This was followed up by IPL finally agreeing to share security plans with Australian Cricketer’s Association (ACA). Sena also threatened to boycott Kolkata Knight Rider’s co-owner Shah Ruhk Khan upcoming movie ‘My name is Khan’ as the actor raised his voice in support of welcoming Pakistani cricketers to play in IPL.

Badrinath, Saha, Mithun in; Injured Dravid, Yuvraj out of first SA Test

Subramaniam Badrinath, the experience right handed middle order batsman in domestic cricket has been finally assured of a place in the Indian Test team for the first Test match to be played in Nagpur from February 6. Badrinath will get his chance after the core of Indian middle order Rahul Dravid and Yuvraj Singh have been ruled out of the first test due to jaw and hand injury they suffered during the Bangladesh tour. VVS Laxman who injured his hand while attempting a catch at slips in the Chittagong Test is declared fit.

Apart from Badrinath, the Indian selection panel headed by former Indian captain Krish Srikkanth also decided to bring in Karnataka speedster Abhimanyu Mithun, who in his first Ranji season topped the bowlers chart with 47 wickets a chance at the top level. Mithun will replace injured Sreesanth while Kolkata Knight Rider’s wicket-keeper batsman Wriddhiman Saha has been chosen ahead of Dinesh Karthik as a back-up for MS Dhoni. Karthik has been dropped after his lackluster performances during the Chittagong Test.

Due to the long injury list the selectors have only picked the team for one Test match. Srikkanth said, “”Dravid was very keen to play but the doctors have advised him rest as a precautionary measure. We have selected the best possible team considering the number of injuries that the Indian team have suffered in the recent series. The team has been selected just for the first Test. We will take a call on the team for the second Test after getting the fitness report of the injured players.”

An elated Badrinath said, “I have been waiting for this chance for a long time and was really looking forward to it. I am not under any pressure when it comes to playing either Test or short versions of the game. I am well experienced to handle the different formats of the game. I always remain positive. I am geared up to sort out any situations against any attack and will try to be totally fit, both physically and mentally. I’m trying to maintain my form and grab the opportunity in a challenging series.”

The selectors have also picked the team for the Board President’s XI that will play the touring South African side at Nagpur in a two day warm-up match.

Indian squad: MS Dhoni (Captain & Wk), Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, S Badrinath, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Amit Mishra, Pragyan Ojha, Ishant Sharma, M Vijay, Sudeep Tyagi, Abhimanyu Mithun, Wriddhiman Saha (Wk)

Board President’s XI: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Abhinav Mukund, Parthiv Patel (Wk), Ajinkya Rahane, Manish Pandey, Cheteshwar Pujara, Abhishek Nayar, Piyush Chawla, R Ashwin, R Vinay Kumar, Abhimanyu Mithun, Shikhar Dhawan, Umesh Yadav, Manpreet Gony

12 months international ban for Kotla, IPL stays

Following an abandoned ODI match between India and Sri Lanka, the ICC has banned the Feroz Shah Kotla stadium in New Delhi from host any international match till December 2010. However the relief for Delhi is that it will be eligible to host its matches during the 2011 ICC World Cup played in the sub-continent. The venue which is also the home ground for Indian Premier League (IPL) team Delhi Daredevils will be eligible to host all its home matches as IPL is a domestic tournament.

The report by ICC pointed out that the pitch at Kotla was “dangerous” and “unfit” for play. The release said, “Following the conclusion of a full investigation into the circumstances that led to the abandonment of a one-day international match between India and Sri Lanka on 27 December 2009, the ICC confirms that no international cricket will be played at the New Delhi ground until the end of December 2010.”

Earlier BCCI had chosen IS Bindra who is also ICC principle advisor to negotiate the penalty so that Kotla can escape the world cup ban. The ban will not affect the venue and its association Delhi and Districts Cricket Association (DDCA) as there is no international match scheduled in Delhi in 2010. The ban was also welcomed by DDCA vice-president Chetan Chauhan who said, “We don’t consider this a ban, but officially we can say that the Feroz Shah Kotla has been ‘banned’. We are not hosting any matches till the end of December 2010 and we have BCCI’s assurance on that.”

Lalit Modi, IPL Chairman and Commissioner had said that the venue will get to host all its IPL matches provided the pitch condition improves. According to him three friendly matches have been schedule in the first week of February after which the IPL will be played. Chauhan said that the ICC has send a curator to help in the process. “Venkat Sundaram is already working on getting the tracked fixed for the IPL and then after the event gets over we will get assistance from ICC’s pitch consultant in further improving the pitch’s condition so that we will be ready for the World Cup.”

Selection sole right of franchises – Srinivasan

Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary and Indian Premier League (IPL) team Chennai Super Kings owner N Srinivasan has said that the Indian government and BCCI has no part in IPL team selection. Following franchises’ snub to Pakistan players in the IPL auction, there is an outrage among players, former cricketers and politicians in Pakistan. However, Srinivasan in his interview to a local newspaper has said that the franchises had specific needs and the decisions are solely their prerogative.

Srinivasan said, “Firstly, we have to recognize there were only 11 available slots, including the vacancies arising out of injuries and as many as 66 foreign players to pick from. There were 55 cricketers who must have been disappointed with the auction. The differing needs of the franchises and availability of the players played a large role in whom the teams bid for.”  He also clarified that the nationality of the player has nothing to do with the decision making. “I do not think one should look at the nationality of the cricketers at all here. The franchises are paying good money for the team as well as the players. They have the right to pick the players they want. After all, it is their money. If you look at the auction, some very good cricketers such as Ramnaresh Sarwan, Brad Haddin and Graeme Swann did not find any takers. Their ability is not in question here. It is just that the franchises entered the auction with specific needs.”

Lalit Modi, IPL Chairman and Commissioner have rejected reports of conspiracy over leaving Pakistan player from IPL. Modi in fact blamed the media for blowing up the issue. The Indian government has opted to keep itself away from IPL saying the tournament is an independent commercial enterprise. Srinivasan said “How can you say if you do not buy a player from a particular country it is an insult to that nation. How much a team is prepared to spend and on whom it is prepared to spend that kind of money, is the sole prerogative of franchises. The BCCI has no role. And the choice of the individual team owners should not be mixed up with government policy.”

Botha, Tsotsobe called up for India tour

Off-spinner Johan Botha and left-arm fast bowler Lonwabo Tsotsobe has been named in the 15-member squad for the tour of India in February. Botha makes his comeback to the national side after a long gap when he played a Test match against Bangladesh in 2008. Similarly Tsotsobe is also making a return nearly after a year.

Tsotsobe has been called for ahead of veteran pacer Makhaya Ntini and new comer Friedel de Wet who impressed the selectors against England recently. Botha was an automatic choice as Mike Proctor, Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) selection convener pointed out, “It is important to have a second specialist spin bowling option for a Test series on the subcontinent. We feel this squad covers all our tactical options and will give a good account of itself.”

Apart from the two bowlers selectors have also handed an opportunity to opener Loots Bosman who scored an impressive 58 and 94 in two T20 matches he played against England. The explosive opener shared a record opening stand in T20 internationals with his captain Graeme Smith as they piled up 170 runs in Centurion. On his inclusion Proctor said, “This will be the ideal opportunity for him to show his worth on the subcontinent where next year’s World Cup will be played.”

Proctor also pointed out that Hashim Amla, Charl Langeveldt and Ryan McLaren who are not part of the touring party are also under the consideration for a place in the 2011 World Cup team. South Africa play two Tests and three ODIs in India starting February 6.

Test squad: Graeme Smith (Captain), Hashim Amla, Johan Botha, Mark Boucher (Wk), AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Paul Harris, Jacques Kallis, Ryan McLaren, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Alviro Petersen, Ashwell Prince, Dale Steyn, Lonwabo Tsotsobe

ODI squad: Graeme Smith (Captain), Loots Bosman, Johan Botha, Mark Boucher (Wk), AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, Albie Morkel, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Alviro Petersen, Dale Steyn, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Roelof van der Merwe

Morgan hopeful of easing cricket ties between India and Pakistan

International Cricket Council (ICC) President David Morgan is hopeful that the cricketing ties between India and Pakistan resumes at the earliest for the benefit of the game. As quoted by a cricket website Morgan said, “One of the things I am working on is trying to persuade the BCCI that they should play bilaterally as opposed to in ICC events with Pakistan. India versus Pakistan, Pakistan versus India is the equivalent of the Ashes in Test match cricket parlance. It is very important for both countries that they renew their rivalries on the field in the five-day game. I am very hopeful they will.”

Morgan’s comment came in just a few days before the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises decided to close the doors for Pakistan cricketers during the IPL auction held in Mumbai. One of the major reasons behind the move seems to be the doubt over the availability of players as franchises are unsure about the visa approval for Pakistan cricketers. The relationship between the two countries hit a road block after the 26/11 terror attack in Mumbai in 2008 as Indian government blamed elements in Pakistan being responsible for it.

Since then the two teams have played only one international match, the group match in the ICC Champions Trophy in 2009. The bilateral series scheduled in January 2009 was cancelled as the Indian government refused permission for Indian team to travel across the border. The cancellation resulted in Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) losing US$ 40 million and the overall loss for PCB in 2009 is estimated at US$ 125 million as teams refused to travel to the terror hit country.

The situation got worsened when terrorist targeted the touring Sri Lankan team in Lahore where six Sri Lankan players and one match official got injured. This resulted in Pakistan losing to host Champions Trophy and now its share of 2011 World Cup matches. The decision to drop Pakistan from staging World Cup matches saw PCB taking the legal battle against ICC however it was later settled out of court.

Morgan said, “There was an uneasiness, but never was it a difficult situation. Mr Butt and I maintained good and decent relationships throughout. It was a very difficult time for them.”

“The ICC is determined that Pakistan should not be isolated. Pakistan is an extremely important cricketing nation, a very important part of the ICC. If you look back at the last two decades, Pakistan has produced some of the most stylish, some of the most achieving cricketers. It’s important from world cricket’s point of view that Pakistan is not isolated and that cricket continues to thrive there. It’s obviously particularly difficult when cricketers cannot play on their home turf.”

Pak players ignored; Owners say availability was a concern

The third auction of the Indian Premier League (IPL) held in Mumbai on January 19 saw Caribbean flair knockout Pakistan’s star power as West Indians fetched high prices while no bidders showed interest in players from Pakistan. This snub has hurt and attracted anger from many Pakistan cricketers.

The first player to be auctioned was Shahid Afridi, a big Twenty20 all-rounder surprisingly attracted no bidder. Immediately the message was loud and clear. The owners were not ready to invest in Pakistanis due to the volatile relationships between India and Pakistan that may affect their visa process.

Shahid Afridi, Pakistan’s T20 captain and one of the big draw in the auction said, “The way I see it, the IPL and India have made fun of us and our country. We are the Twenty20 world champions and for me the attitude of the franchises was disappointing. I feel bad for the Indian people who, I am sure, wanted to see us play in the IPL this year.”

Countering the agitation among Pakistan players was IPL Chairman and Commissioner Lalit Modi, who after auctions said, “Franchises are no more ready to spend USD seven or eight million for someone who would not be available for the tournament. It not only exhausted their purse but also wasted slots. They want only those players who would be available for the tournament. They are spending money and they want to get the results.”

Another highly valued all-rounder Abdul Razzaq said “They have basically tried to hurt our cricket and image and this is most disappointing because I believe there should be no politics in sports. In the end it is the IPL which has lost out because the fact is our players have star value and are the best in T20 cricket.” Shoail Tanvir, the man who won the final for Rajasthan Royals against Chennai Super Kings in the inaugural IPL said, “They mean to say none of our players are good enough to be in the IPL. I am sorry to say the franchises have taken a decision not based on cricketing sense but on political grounds which is a shame and has hurt the image of the sport.”

However Modi’s views were supported by Rajasthan Royals co-owner Shilpa Shetty who said, “We were not convinced about their availability and that’s why we did not want to take any risk. If someone is not going to be available, why bid for him.” Similarly Ness Wadia, Kings XI Punjab co-owner pointed out that even Australians whose availability was in question didn’t attract any bid. “I do not think that the Pakistan players were ignored purposely. Many Australian players were too not auctioned. In fact, last year we suffered because of Australia.”

Australian players’ IPL participation in doubt

Though retired Australians Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden have overlooked the threat from Shiv Sena, many Australian cricketers are expected to skip this year’s IPL due to general terror threat in the sub-continent after three players of the Togo’s soccer team were killed in the terror attack last week. Cricket Australia has however has said that the final decision will rest on the players themselves.

Peter Young, Cricket Australia’s spokesman said, “At the end of the day those players make their own decision about whether or not they go. But we want them to be able to make informed decisions and we’d like to work with the ACA (Australian Cricketers’ Association) to ensure they can make informed decisions.”

Many current Australians players are willing to take the advice from ACA, however the player’s body has not been briefed by the Indian Premier League (IPL) management over the security arrangement. This has prompted the ACA to advice players against touring India. ACA’s chief executive Paul Marsh said, “The players rely on us to ensure that security is properly assessed and a recommendation is provided to them. If the IPL won’t allow us to review arrangements for this year’s event, how can we recommend to our players that they play in the event?”

Player security has been an issue for Australia since 1998 when they refused to tour Pakistan. Since then Cricket Australia has the habit of sending its own security expert team to review the security arrangements before giving a go ahead for the tour. “Our policy, as demonstrated over the years, is to only travel if dispassionate, expert, independent advice suggests that it is safe. On those occasions when advice has suggested otherwise, we have not travelled, including when the ICC said Pakistan was safe and our advice was that it was not,” Young said.

Earlier last year Sri Lankan cricket team was targeted by terrorists when the toured Pakistan. The doubt over Australian cricketers’ availability had also reflected in today’s auction where no Australian player caught the franchise’s interest except retired Damien Martyn who was sold to Rajasthan Royals.

MS Dhoni receives the ICC Test Championship mace

Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni received the Reliance Mobile ICC Test Championship mace from ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat in a special ceremony in New Delhi on December 27, 2009. India moved up the ICC rankings to the number one spot in Tests after the recently concluded home Test Series against the Lankans. This is the first time that India has achieved the number-one ranking since the rankings were introduced in 2001. Australia and South Africa are the only two other teams which have achieved this feat in the past.

Dhoni, upon receiving the mace, said “It is a special feeling to receive this mace. I am taking this on behalf of the team and the BCCI. Being an Indian, it is a proud moment. We have really worked hard as a team in the last 14 months to get to this position. We want to remain here longer and everything depends on our performance.”

“I’m proud to be leading a team that has displayed a penchant for translating potential into performance. Our ascent to No. 1 commenced several years ago. The efforts put in by our seniors in making the Indian cricket team a force to be reckoned with, will never be forgotten. They inspired us to follow in their footsteps. Our priority in the months to follow will be to prove that we are as capable of staying at the top as we are at reaching it.”

India is scheduled to play only two Tests against Bangladesh in the next eleven months. Talks are on with other cricket boards to increase the number of Tests to be played in 2010. South Africa has agreed to play two Tests in India during their tour to the country during February. Dhoni said “Quite a few Test matches are proposed and I don’t think that we will play only four Tests next year. We will play more than that.”

ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat said, “All of India can be very proud of its team being the top-ranked Test team in the world for the first time. It is well-deserved and just reward for the hard work and winning performances against Australia, England, New Zealand and Sri Lanka over the past 14 months. “Test cricket needed the excitement of four teams vying for the number-one spot in the Reliance Mobile Test Championship table. Australia headed the table for all but 10 months since the rankings were launched in May 2001 and achieving that level of dominance will surely be the new goal for Dhoni and his players. Test cricket is well set for an exciting future and that is great news for our Great Sport.”

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