A year of reckoning awaits India

After a demoralizing World Twenty20 2012, MSD and Duncan Fletcher have a point to prove as they face England and Australia on the home soil.

India however, have good record at home and need to keep that going. So, what could come in the way of India? Spinners will be holding the key for India, and they’ll have to be marshalled well by Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Dhoni had been off-colour in the World Twenty20 as lot of ‘tactical errors’ were made by him. If he can resolve that, then India certainly have their noses ahead.

First, the selectors have to pick the squad that suits the condition and it can vary depending on the opposition. They have a series against England before the Australian series. England are more exposed to spin bowling and it won’t be a bad idea to draft someone like Ojha and Rahul Sharma as they can get the ball to turn away from right hander. Ojha and Rahul Sharma get the ball to turn on their own even on a flat surface, and if the wicket also aids them, then England batsman would indeed be in trouble.

Selectors also must ensure that the selected squad satisfies the Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni as otherwise, it could lead to a demoralizing series loss in home conditions. There’s actually a doubt in my mind, whether the 15-member squad for the ICC World Twenty20 satisfied MSD, because at press conference he mentioned that: “under those conditions left arm spinner was more effective and for that reason I used Yuvraj more”. From that statement, there’s a shred of doubt whether Dhoni was convinced with the 15-member squad. Therefore, selectors must also consult Dhoni before finalizing the squad. If you give him the squad that he actually wants, then without a shred of doubt, he will be in a position to extract the best from them.

They must also drop Rohit Sharma and instead they can give chance to Manoj Tiwary, who hasn’t been able to cement a place in the squad because of Rohit Sharma. If selectors still continue to show faith in him, then they would probably miss some of promising young cricketers who have done exceedingly well at domestic level, and who are waiting for a chance to play for the country.

There’s also Robin Uthappa. Uthappa provides stability to the middle order and if he hangs around in the middle for more than 35 overs, he would be a game changer and indeed India are in need of one specialist batsman at No.7, who can turn the course of the game. Certainly, Robin Uthappa is one of them and he should be given a chance.

Since Zaheer Khan hasn’t been fully fit, it won’t be a bad idea to drop him and bring Ashok Dinda into the squad. Ashok Dinda is a very capable bowler in death overs and Dhoni can also use him as a strike bowler. Ashok Dinda, like Balaji, uses slow deliveries to very good effect and his performance would definitely ensure him a place in the squad. It will be interesting to see the bowling department as Zaheer not being fit, can pave for Dinda. And, who will hold the new-ball along with Dinda? It won’t be a bad idea to persist with Lakshmipathy Balaji as he had bowled wonderfully with the new-ball in his early part of his career. In my opinion, Dhoni should preserve Dinda and Balaji for the death overs.

This is in fact, the right time to experiment with the players as they have Champions Trophy next year. Before that, India have got tough tours and a success in those tours will get back their confidence and also, Dhoni will be in a position to know where each kind of player is good. Also, he will be in a position to choose the best squad for Champions Trophy and more so, they open their campaign against Proteas. So, this is the right time to experiment the players!