SELECTION WOES

Selecting an Indian Cricket team is definitely one of the toughest jobs ever: a pain in the neck indeed. Every time a selection occurs the selectors draw flak from one part of the world or the other. So what is a selector expected to do? He has to concentrate on selecting a team for the future and has to do it in such a way that it does not affect the current bunch of players. Nowadays the problem of plenty has become a major issue; but a welcome issue indeed.

There are a number of youngsters putting their hands up and there are always the omnipresent seniors who seem to deliver at every opportunity that arises. So what should one go for? Youth over experience? A debatable issue which could go on for hours at end.

Is it fair to drop aged players even though they are in their prime? Should age be a criteria for selection? Haven’t the experienced players proven their value? Even a world beating side like Australia banks on experience. Take Matthew Hayden for instance. He is still one of the best ODI players ever to have graced the game.

Contradictingly isn’t it unjust to deny a performing youngster his share of opportunities. Some questions cannot be given justifiable answers.
So are experience and youth two sides of a coin? They most certainly are not. Fortunately the two entities can coexist. A good blend of experience and youth could be the need of the hour rather than banking completely on one side.

So were the selectors right in dropping tried and tested players for giving the freshers a run? It is for the reader to decide. A firm answer may not be possible unless of course if you have designed a time portal.