Top order rotation policy... is the stupidity to the core.

The news is out that Tendulkar will be rested for the Sunday ODI against Australia. Outside politics, it is now the turn of tactics that concerns. The top order rotation policy sounds really absurd especially when the opponent is Australia.

The reason is simple. Sehwag’s hit and miss cricket has been a constant miss so far. Gambir dismissals are repetition of folly. This brings the most bankable batsman of the Tour Virat Kohli to the crease way ahead of his time. In the event of Kohli’s failure (including a moderate success from Rohit Sharma) brings ultra fragile Raina & Co to bat inside 25 overs. Then it is anybody’s guess to picture the result. At the same time, I don’t guarantee a century from Sachin Tendulkar if picked ahead of Gambir/Raina. The least Tendulkar will exhibit the intent to bat longer than Sehwag or Gambir which should help the middle order facing a relatively older ball.

Anyways, it is what it is. But surely India is presented a wonderful opportunity to beat Australia. The Australian morale must be dented after their performance against Sri Lanka. Mathews almost pulled the game from the jaws of defeat. Glad to see Sri Lanka coming to party quickly. Lucky, the Australians had the last laugh after the penultimate ball. Starc should cherish his experience of the last over he delivered. It may be a happy Aussie dressing room, but definitely received their wake up call. From my perspective, I don’t want India to regret for not crouching on Australia due to lame tactics.

Either ways, now is the opportune time for the board to groom the next captain for India. Year 2012 is gifted with the World T20 in subcontinent. Like 2007, India should field a young side (they are young already except for Sehwag, Zaheer Khan, Dhoni) under the leadership of Kohli. This should start preparing Kohli for the big job; eventually he will be ready by 2015 World Cup. On the other hand, it will also aid Dhoni to assess himself; rather bring him to senses to choose between Politics Vs Career.

Great Teams are created by Great Vision. Is BCCI a visionary board?

My team for the Sunday ODI would be

Tendulkar, Sehwag, Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Gambir/Raina, Dhoni, Ashwin, Jadeja, Zaheer Khan, Vinay Kumar, Yadav

Dinesh

Cricket Lover

PS: Even I’ve give up on Irfan Pathan. It is time to move on.