Selection as per Performance…. FINALLY!!!

There is a saying, “someone’s loss is someone’s gain”. This has proven in Indian Cricket time and time again and just carry on the tradition selectors have made some changes that didn't actually shook any fan who know somewhat about cricket, it was just a matter of question “WHEN” then “WHY”.

On Feb 11, 2014: The Sandip Patil-led selection panel announced the squad for both Asia Cup in February as well as For the T20 World Championship that to be held in next month in Bangladesh.

Many would argue on I.Sharma, has selectors lost their patience on Ishant Sharma came at the wrong time since his show in test arena in New Zealand is phenomenal but  poor show in the One Day format became the reason of exclusion from both the tournaments (Asia Cup & T20 W. Cup). His place was in question earlier but as a result of drop in last three ODI in New Zealand just driven a stamp on what has to come next for 25 year Delhi fast bowler is axe from the team. On the similar grounds, Suresh Raina has fallen miserably too, according to his batting figures in his last 24 innings scoring only a single half-century with an average of 26.40. The average even drops to 24.25 since the end of the ODI series against Zimbabwe last year in August.  Still Indian selectors decided to persist with the left-hander for the world T20 due to his impressive track record in the shortest form of cricket and activeness in the field could still make a difference.

There is not much a difference in the batting squad for Asia cup apart from inclusion of Rayudu, Pujara and exclusion of Raina. This could explain that selectors need someone willing to stay on the pitch on one end while other players can play their natural game. For the T20 cup, the selectors have once again felt Yuvraj Singh can be the player that can make a huge difference in the team.The Sandeep Patil committee has alsodecided to go with the three spinners in both formats namely R. Ashwin, R. Jadeja and Amit Mishra.

The Indian Captain will be having choices of finalizing the fast bowlers as bunch of aspirants are included which will surely be led by Mohammed Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar along with Varun Aaron support for both the tournaments. MSD will also eyeing on the inclusion of Ishwar Pandey in the Asia Cup and Mohit Sharma in the T20 Cup.

Raina’s drop has come at the right time for Stuart Binny has he hammered a ton in the Irani Cup (were committee sat for team selection) as confirmed his place in both the formats. Only the Right-handed all-rounder will be hoping is for some participation and contributing more than just an over to the team which came in his debut and only match in New Zealand.

Asia Cup will be held from Feb 25 to March 8 whereas, ICC World Twenty20 from March 16 to April 6, both in Bangladesh.

The Squad:

Asia Cup: MS Dhoni (C), Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kolhi, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ambati Rayudu, Ajinkya Rahane, Ravindra Jadeja, R. Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Varun Aaron, Stuart Binny, Amit Mishra, Ishwar Pandey.

ICC World T20: MS Dhoni (C), Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kolhi, Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh, Ajinkya Rahane, Ravindra Jadeja, R. Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Varun Aaron, Stuart Binny, Amit Mishra, Mohit Sharma.

As always I say, keep reading and never say bye to me.

#$D