Badri not ready to get bogged down

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Yardsticks for players to make the Indian team have always been different and unfortunately continues to be the same way.

There is no doubting Suresh Raina’s talent and athleticism but he getting the nod ahead of S. Badrinath in the Test squad defies logic.

At a time where occupation of the crease and batting out sessions looks a lost art, the selectors have conveyed a wrong message.

Hitting across the line and looking for quick runs is not the solution in the longer version. Badri might not be easy on the eye nor does he possess all the shots in the book but has the mental make up and solidity in defence — the essentials in Test cricket.

“I have done whatever I can and really don’t know what more I have to do. All I can say is that I will concentrate harder in the ensuing season and try and put taller scores on the board. The biggest motivation for me is to win the Ranji Trophy for Tamil Nadu,” said Badri.

A first-class average in excess of 60 and countless years of honest toil in the domestic circuit was enough to only provide three Test innings for Badri.

“I was part of the Indian Test squad for a while. And whenever I was left out, I only scored more in the Ranji Trophy,” lamented Badri.

Raina averaged 6.50 from three Tests against New Zealand at home. His apparent weakness against the short ball led to his ouster from the Test side and it will be interesting to see the improvement he has made in that particular area.

Time is running out for Badri and the national championship starting in November could well be his last glimmer. If history is any indication he will let his bat do the talking to remain in contention.