Ajinkya
Rahane (24, Mumbai; RHB, RM)
Young,
hungry, agile, enthusiastic, tons of first-class runs, comfortable in a variety
of batting slots, in different formats, playing different types of innings –
quite possibly India’s next big batting superstar. Even by the perverse
yardsticks that are commonly applied to select Test cricketers for India, no
reason justifies why Rahane is not playing Test cricket right now.
Abhinav Mukund (22, Tamil Nadu; LHB, LS)
Another
one who got screwed over on limited opportunities in tough conditions during
the 0-4 reverse in England. His 49 at Lord’s last year was an innings of
genuine long-term encouragement on a tour where such moments were rare and a
few decent, new ball blunting starts in the West Indies tour preceding England
offered more avenues to believe that persevering with him might have been
fruitful. However, was dropped in favour of the return to action of the
Gambhir/Sehwag axis, which has, in infinitely helpful conditions, delivered
bugger-all since then. Still only 22 and with recent runs in New Zealand for
India A and the visiting Englishmen in the now-infamous ‘no spinners’ practice
game, he definitely merits another look-in at Test level.
Wriddhiman Saha (28, Bengal; RHB, WK)
Dhoni’s
backup has consistently delivered on his rather limited billing ever since he
started in first-class cricket and there isn’t an obvious flaw in either his
keeping or batting to suggest that delivering at Test level is beyond him.
Stuck it to an excellent Aussie attack for nearly two-and-a-half hours in an
Adelaide Test whose headlines were usurped by the tamasha around Virat Kohli’s
first Test hundred, which should’ve been his bar mitzvah into Test cricket but
hasn’t been given a chance since. Has an assurance and certainty to his overall
cricket that would make it a tragedy if his Test career were to be remembered
by the catastrophic selection mistake that resulted in him making his Test
debut as a No. 7 batsman in an innings defeat by the South Africans in Nagpur in
early 2010.
Praveen Kumar (26, Uttar Pradesh; RHB, RMF)
Hard
to figure out who he has ticked off to be so suddenly and resolutely ignored by
the selectors. Following six wickets on Test debut at Sabina Park, PK was
India’s best bowler by a country mile in the 0-4 in England last summer and has
the ideal bowling style to deliver long spells in trying conditions, home and
abroad. His effort and performances post-national selection purgatory have been
above reproach, even as bigger stars have been dropped and re-picked without
putting in a fraction of his effort. Also, given the increasing emphasis in
big-time cricket on batting deep, has demonstrated his hitting ability
consistently enough to suggest that he could slot in as a very handy No. 8 or
No. 9. Probably the closest to being an automatic pick in this lineup.
Manoj Tiwary (27, Bengal; RHB, LS)
Famously
dropped after scoring a one-day century against the West Indies, has simply not
been given enough opportunities to let him build on his top-notch domestic
record and frankly frightening hitting ability. Has been shunted around the
Indian set-up extremely unfairly. With the Yuvrajs and Rainas hopefully
confined to an extended spell outside Test cricket, maybe it’s time to finally
give him a run.
R Vinay Kumar (28, Karnataka; RHB, RMF)
RVK
was thrown in at the deep end in Perth and was thus, by association, part of
the collective 0-4 failure in Australia. There’s a lot more to his bowling than
that, of course, but it hasn’t made an impression on a selectoral roster that
continues to be inexplicably obsessed with proven failures like Ishant Sharma.
Did well in New Zealand for India A and has started this domestic campaign
brightly at the helm of an excellent Karnataka side. His experience and,
recently acquired leadership skills could be an extremely valuable asset to the
Indian set-up but is another who, at 28, is fast running out of time.
Pankaj Singh (27, Rajasthan; RHB, RFM)
Is
fast approaching Goel/Shivalkar levels in terms of being ignored by national
selectors. On statistics alone, has a compelling case for being India’s most
effective fast bowler – 16 five-fors in 66 first class games contributing to a
staggering 247 wickets at 26.02, at the time of writing. Has been arguably the
primary reason Rajasthan are now relevant to Ranji Trophy cricket, proving to
be extremely dangerous with new ball and old. The reasons he has been sidelined
so far can’t be isolated well but certainly point to playing for a
traditionally unfancied state, being a bit of a late developer (now 27) or
maybe, cruelly, simply not ‘looking like a star’. Ideally suited to the longer
version and absolutely worth a longish run in the Test team.
Abhishek Nayar (29, Mumbai; LHB, RM)
Needs
his chance to come now and needs to take it. Equally comfortable attacking or
defending, has played the lone hand as frequently as he has grabbed the
initiative in seven excellent seasons for Mumbai so far. Started out – and
still remains useful – as a medium-pacer and is one of the few all-round domestic
cricketers who you suspect would look in place at the highest level.
Bhuvaneshwar Kumar (22, Uttar Pradesh; RHB, RMF)
A
certain “B Kumar” has been popping up increasingly frequently in those two-line
Ranji Trophy match summaries in newspapers the last couple seasons. While still
very much a work-in-progress, has been delivering with the new ball on flat
decks in a way that suggests that he is very much a natural at what he does.
The natural bit applies to his batting too, though the bowling load has meant
he has thrown away a lot of promising batting starts due to a lack of
concentration or tiredness or both. Also has a bit of flair about his cricket
and comes across as a very humble guy – two qualities that certainly merit a
longish rope, whenever it is given. Well worth a punt at some point in the near
future.
Amit Mishra (30, Haryana; RHB, LS)
Over
30 years of age, was bludgeoned for 0/170 in his last Test at The Oval, no
value-add to the team if his bowling flops. However, still carrying a Haryana attack
punching above its weight, still turning in the kind of effort that supposedly
‘more gifted’ spinners don’t dare contemplate, still extremely valuable in the
IPL where playing a leggie is often seen as giving the opposition 24 free-hits,
still has the most unreadable googly on the domestic circuit. Can certainly do
a job for India – just don’t play him in a Test in England ever again.
Akshat Reddy (21, Hyderabad; RHB, LS)
Captain
of Hyderabad at 21, was one of the few occasional bright spots in a dismal
final IPL campaign for the Deccan Chargers. Only a few matches into his
first-class career, has already demonstrated the ability to stay big against
fast bowlers, hit big runs, plan an innings well and force the pace when
necessary. Wouldn’t necessarily walk into the Test team straight away but could
well become a class opener across formats.
Mandeep Singh (21, Punjab; RHB, RM)
Mandy
is fast becoming an irreplaceable part of Punjab’s highly-rated batting unit
and his IPL displays over the last couple seasons have shown that he certainly
has the skill set to make the top level. Hit a breathtaking double hundred away
at Mumbai earlier this month against a bowling attack of Agarkar, Kulkarni,
Powar and Chavan. Has the potential to become an excellent middle-order option.
Sandeep Sharma (19, Punjab; RHB, RM)
Punjab
cricket’s bright young thing has had among the more remarkable introductions to
first-class cricket in the past few years. On the back of an extremely
impressive showing at the U-19 World Cup in Australia, has already grabbed 37
wickets in this season’s Ranji Trophy – including a devastating 10-for against
Vidarbha – and we’re only in mid-December. Could be totally the wrong time to
capitalize on his promise or, with the soon-to-visit Aussies demonstrating
continued susceptibility to the moving ball, could be India’s hidden secret.
CM Gautam (26, Karnataka; RHB, WK)
One
of the more left-field picks of the lot but one based on an eyebrow-raising
start to this first-class season, which has featured an unbeaten hundred away
to Tamil Nadu, an aggressive second-innings 70-odd against a promising Delhi
attack which set up a convincing win and a demoralizing nine-and-a-half-hour,
257-run pulverization of Vidarbha. Now firmly established as first-choice as
Karnataka launch a genuine tilt at this season’s Ranji Trophy.
Possible
Survivors:
Virat
Kohli (24, Delhi)
Enough
and more has been said about his attitude and the time he is taking to adapt to
Test cricket, but is ambitious, aggressive and unstoppable when on form. Will –
and should, on merit – feature in India’s best XI going forward.
Cheteshwar Pujara (24, Saurashtra)
Deserves
an extended run based on his recent Test performances at home. Doubts persist
about his ability to play quality fast bowling – he was turned over with
embarrassing ease when he toured South Africa with the Test team in 2010. His
next trip to South Africa with the Test team will make or break him and he
should stay in and around the team until then.
Umesh Yadav (25, Vidarbha)
India’s
best fast bowler right now, bar none. Wants to remain a fast bowler, come what
may. That second sentence may well turn out to be more important than the
first.
Pragyan Ojha (26, Hyderabad)
Is
the best of a bad lot on current form. Needs helpful conditions to be effective
but will do a job even in unhelpful ones. His Test career needs to take him
outside the sub-continent for him to be a part of India’s best team long-term.
