The Indian team’s thinktank is unlikely to be very pleased with the XIV picked for the tri-series in Zimbabwe, beginning June 23.
As was reported by The Telegraph on Monday, it is understood the thinktank wanted allrounder Yuvraj Singh and had no intentions of sending back left-arm quick Ashish Nehra after the Test series.
Captain Sourav Ganguly, coach John Wright and vice-captain Rahul Dravid also desired that Virender Sehwag and Reetinder Singh Sodhi, allrounders both, should fly over ahead of the tri-series.
This was formally conveyed to the selectors via a fax. Additionally, Sourav himself spoke to chief selector Chandu Borde this morning.
But while the selectors obliged by picking Sehwag and Sodhi, they preferred Harvinder Singh over Nehra and opted for Dinesh Mongia at the expense of Yuvraj.
According to well-placed sources, a majority of the selectors felt Yuvraj is “being sold too hard” and that he had done precious little after his MoM award-winning 84 against Australia in the ICC KnockOut, back in October.
Also, their argument was that Mongia deserved more than the two chances he got in the recent home series versus Australia. In Pune, Mongia faced six balls before being run out for two and in Indore, scored four off five.
Nehra being overlooked is, of course, more intriguing. Moreover, absolutely amazing must rank Borde’s remark in Mumbai this afternoon: “Nehra is a good Test bowler (only).”
When Nehra hasn’t played a single ODI, how is he deemed useless for cricket’s shorter version? The answer, perhaps, is known only to Borde.
Though the thinktank wanted both Nehra and Debashish Mohanty to be retained, a majority of the selectors were firm in that Harvinder would have to be rewarded for some excellent work in the season just ended.
It couldn’t be confirmed, but there is talk the thinktank did indicate that if one quick (besides Jawagal Srinath, that is) had to be sent back, then the axe should fall on Mohanty. In that eventuality, even their choice would be Harvinder.
If this is true then Ashok Malhotra, East’s representative on the selection committee, would have had a gruelling time.
Obviously, that Harvinder (ex-Punjab and now Railways) is a superb fielder — hardly the most impressive part of either Nehra or Mohanty’s CV — stood him in good stead.
Harvinder, though, hasn’t played international cricket since April 1998. His last appearance was against Australia, in Sharjah. The 23-year-old has 13 ODI caps (20 wickets), with his debut being in the second Sahara Cup (1997), versus Pakistan. He also has two Test appearances.
While domestic performances should get recognised, one cannot but feel sorry for Nehra, easily the best bowler on tour thus far in Zimbabwe.
Nehra’s morale would, in any case, have been low after being taken off (the first Indian to be ‘punished’ thus) in the second innings of the Bulawayo Test. Now, he won’t even be there for the tri-series.
Hardly the ideal tune-up for the second (and final) Test, beginning in Harare Friday. But, then, most selection committees have been known to be utterly myopic.
The next few days will be a real test for the man-management skills of both Sourav and Wright.
