Irani – Who ‘Ran’ the distance to get the selectors’ attention

If the objective of the ongoing Irani Cup was to unearth a few answers to India’s test worries, it has been partially achieved. I say ‘partially’ because there have been some sparkling innings from batsmen who were expected to score. The script of the match, though, was a dud for two reasons. The pitch lacked the bite and spice that can test the batsman. No bowler on either side was able to make a mark with a spell that would make you stand up and notice. There were some batsmen who grabbed the opportunity with both hands. Sachin’s form was heartening to see, as he equals Gavaskar’s record of 81 first class centuries. Incredibly, Sachin averages in the high 80s in ‘domestic’ first class matches, along with Dravid and Laxman, a number that is still a mirage for India’s heavy scoring domestic run-getters.

There were quite a few centuries in the ongoing Irani Cup match, but none more encouraging than that of Murali Vijay, playing for Rest of India, on the first day of the match. Gambhir’s extended poor form at the Test level, combined with Sehwag’s inconsistent showing, will force the selectors to start looking for a reasonable alternative. Wasim Jaffer is the opener who might emerge as the dark-horse in the race for a Test spot with a well-composed 80. Interestingly, Jaffer had a better run in Test cricket than Gambhir has been having, if one compares the stats for the last few Tests before the stylish opener was dropped. He has made a strong statement, plundering more than 900 runs this Ranji season, including a crucial century in the final. With less than two weeks to go before the first test against Australia, all eyes will be on the selectors. Considering their approach so far, one can predict that the Sehwag-Gambhir duo might get one more test at least, before the chopping board is made use of.

Another glaring spot that has worried selectors like a huge uncovered pit on a busy road is the No.6 position. With Pujara still young into his Test career and the openers dealing with their own ghosts, India doesn’t really have the luxury to play Jadeja at No.7. Thankfully though, there have been some really classy knocks from the middle order batting prospects. Rahane was all set to tonk a ton for Mumbai before a poor umpiring decision dashed his hopes. But the real stars were Ambati Rayudu and Suresh Raina. Raina got a century in the first innings and an aggressive 70 in the second. Rayudu did the opposite, with a hundred in the second innings, virtually shutting out Mumbai’s chances to come back into the game. Both Raina and Rayudu looked really at ease, unveiling an array of shots all around the ground.

Rayudu’s lofted drives and flicks off the pads were especially a delight to watch. Marked as a future middle order batsman, when he was still in his teens, Rayudu has finally managed to get the selectors thinking. He averages 44 at the first class level, a shade above Raina but, way below Rahane who has a sparkling first class average above 60. However, it isn’t always averages that could get you berths as Rohit Sharma would find out. Rohit threw caution to the winds in his first innings and with it, yet another opportunity. Will Rayudu get a call over the Rainas and the Rahanes is a question only Sandeep Patil and his team of selectors could answer. Sadly, the pitch didn’t have enough to test any of these prospects with the spite that they can expect from the likes of Pattinson, Siddle and Starc.

A bizarre development on the fifth day was Rest of India’s decision to keep on batting even when the lead was extended beyond 400. For domestic matches to attract attention, there has to be a real incentive for teams to go for the jugular, rather than sitting cozy with a first innings lead. It would have done the Indian cause greater good, with Mumbai chasing 370 odd against the likes of Harbhajan, Pandey and Sreesanth. Both the fast bowling prospects were steady at their best. Neither of them had express pace though. With India’s fast bowling injury worries mounting by the day, Pandey and Sreesanth might still have a chance. But they definitely didn’t do enough to eclipse the exploits of Shami Ahmed and Bhuvaneshwar Kumar in the recently concluded ODI series. Pandey though has been impressive in the first class circuit, topping the wicket-takers chart with quite a few 5-wicket hauls. Talent has never been a concern with Sreesanth, but he like Rohit, hasn’t done much justice to his skills. India was mauled twice abroad, first in England and then in Australia. For almost a decade, India has been near-invincible at home. Will the Aussies repeat the humiliation that England dished out couple of months ago in India, is a question that gives jitters to every Indian cricket fan.