Super Selector: India tour of WI

 

Day or two from now, team for the tour of WI is to be announced. Since it is a low profile tour in terms of ODI and T20, birdies say big ticket players are likely to take off. Considering WI is not meaty opponents, not too many are likely to create fuss about a second string Indian Team. Also good section of the public is keen to witness the young guns performing.

I wish to select the following team for the tour. Trust me, nobody counts this selection. The point is, even if I don’t be a selector here, where else can I?

Considering 14 member squad, the team will be loaded with 5 bowlers, 1 wicket keeper, 2 allrounders and 6 batsmen to make the squad.

Here are my personal pick.

1.   M Vijay

2.   Ambati Rayudu

3.   Rohit Sharma

4.   Virat Kohli (Captain)

5.   Badrinath

6.   S Tiwary

7.   Parthiv Patel

8.   Yusuf Pathan

9.   Ravindra Jadeja

10. Irfan Pathan

11. Praveen Kumar

12. Munaf Patel

13. Rahul Sharma

14. Ashwin

Though I’m likely to go wrong on half the squad or may be even more, I’m certain few players like Ambati Rayudu, Rohit Sharma, Irfan Pathan are sure to make the cut.

The spot for the leg spinner will be a tossup between Rahul Sharma and Amit Mishra. Chances are good that Mishra will edge out Rahul Sharma.

Although Iqbal Abdullah being impressive for Knight Riders, it is unlikely he can make the cut ahead of Ojha or Jadeja for the role of left arm spinner. Since Bhajji will be out, Ashwin can breathe easy for being a certainty in the 11.

Vinay Kumar, Abhimanyu Mithun, Unadkat, Umesh Yadav, RP Singh will all come to reckoning. Wonder if any of them is good ahead of Munaf Patel to make the cut here in my blog or in the actual selection. If the selectors decide to rest Munaf then my personal choice would be Unadkat, in reality it might be Vinay Kumar.

Paul Valthaty may be sensation in IPL, in the current scheme of things; his performances are likely to fetch a spot only in the Mumbai Ranji Team. Though I wrote an article or two about him, I’ve to admit that I’m little disappointed with his consistency after his initial performances. But it will be a brave move if the selectors are willing to try him.

Scoring tons of runs in the domestic season, it will be fair Abhinav Mukund makes it ahead of Vijay. At this time it is not sure if Vijay himself will make it for the spot of opener ahead of Uthappa. However the biggest disappointment will be the omission of Badrinath. The performance of Manoj Tiwary could roll the head of Badri or S Tiwary.

Dinesh Karthik or Wridhiman Saha did far too little this IPL to find the favor of selectors ahead of Parthiv Patel.

Birdies say Yuvraj Singh is likely to lead the ship. To me it is only fair he is rested too and the job is entrusted to the candidate for the future.

Bottom Line: No matter what team is selected, don’t carry big hopes. And if they deliver, you have every reason to be thrilled. Even otherwise, enjoy the performance from the youth brigade.

Dinesh

Cricket Lover

PS: You are sure to expect a post after the team selection