‘Team selection has to be aggressive’
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Pushed down under by the Aussies and set to appear for a save-the-face last test at Adelaide, the Indian cricket team has found a serious critic in Kiran More, veteran cricketer and former chairman of BCCI’s selection committee.
More has urged the national selectors to give the young players more opportunities rather than depending on the past glory of the seniors, who have so far failed to deliver.
The former wicket keeper was in Kozhikode for the launch of the physical education curriculum at the Sadhbhavana World School.
“The selectors must give more importance to the future of the team. We cannot depend on past glory for too long,” he said. Indian coach Duncan Fletcher should talk to the selectors and take some aggressive decisions about team selection, he added.
“India’s recent performance against Australia was shocking. The time has come for the selectors to take tough decisions,” More said. The selectors should pick the best team and must give importance to the team rather than the individuals, he stressed.
More minced no words in lauding the captaincy of M. S. Dhoni, though statistically it has been at agony’s end.
“Dhoni made India the number one test team and world champions in the ODIs. However, it is not easy to be captaining the side and also doing great justice to your job behind the stumps. Still, he has been doing commendable work,” he said.
More made it clear that players such as Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, S. Badrinath and Varun Aaron must be played for long periods and said it was only via their frequent exposure that the team could benefit from the talent of these youngsters.
Commenting on Kerala cricketer S. Sreesanth, who is recuperating from a toe injury, More said he had no doubts about the speedster’s talents.
More has given Indian cricket a few memorable pasts, including the six dismissals (all stumpings) against the West Indies in Chennai in 1989 which remain a test record to this day.
Meanwhile, he dismissed the alleged role of corporate companies in the selection of the national team. “There are no chances for this, if you are talented you will be selected and corporate companies have no role in sports.”
Before signing off he dismissed the chances of a comeback for India in the fourth test. “Only a miracle can save India as Australia’s bowling side is doing a great job. India hasn’t got a chance,’’ he added.
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