The 20-20 team..

So, finally the Trinity of Indian cricket have realized that it is time to pave way for the next generation of cricketers in the next generation version of the sport, 20-20. I would congratulate them on this step. This marks the end of one era and a beginning of another, and the sooner we realize this and take steps to prepare youngsters to fill in those big boots of Sachin, Dravid, Kumble, Laxman and Ganguly, the better it will be for Indian Cricket. So a good step taken by the 3 senior players and a good decision by the selectors to look at 30 youngsters must be lauded. 20-20 isn’t the most pure form of cricket either where you would require the defence of Dravid and the class of Sachin and Sourav. The good decision was to bring back players like Kaif, Raina and Pathan, all of whom were brilliant to begin with, but lost it somewhere in the middle. But then again, didn’t the same happen with Yuvraj? And look at the return of the guy, so much so that now almost everyone relies on him to see India through in ODI chases. I think all the above players have talent, and should be given a chance to prove themselves again. Here again the 20-20 version provides a good opportunity in bringing back the confidence of these guys, without putting too much pressure on them.

However, one thing that baffles me is that Dhoni is expected to captain India in this 20-20 World Cup. Isn’t Yuvraj a better and a more experienced player? Shouldn’t this opportunity be used to groom him as the next ODI captain, given that he possesses the temperament required in ODIs and has a cool head on his shoulders? I think this is an opportunity missed. While I do not take anything away from Dhoni, the fact is that Dhoni is yet to prove himself over a longer stretch, and we do not want Dhoni to follow the Sehwag trail.

Sehwag will also prove to be good here, given that he anyway stays for only a couple of overs, and hits everything that comes his way. Ideal for 20-20!! If only he could show some more application, we would have seen a lot many innings like his Multan classic. What a waste of such class and talent? However, all is not over for him, and I hope he uses this opportunity to get going again, and we see a lot more of him in the days to come. Come on Viru…