Young versus unpredictable (Preview)

No sooner IPL season IV ended and majority of the top Indian cricketers opted out of West Indies tour, it sparked off country versus club debate yet again. The debate regarding the issue picked up the pace when Gautam Gambhir who was named skipper for the limited overs after regular captain MS Dhoni opted out due to a bad shoulder. Many cricket pundits argued that by doing so after having led Kolkata in all the matches this season, Gambhir has given a preference to his franchise over the national priorities.

The other notable absentees in the touring party include Sachin Tendulkar and Zaheer Khan, both rested and Yuvraj Singh and Virendar Sehwag are nursing their respective injuries. It all means an inexperienced Indian side led by Suresh Raina will take on West Indies in the limited overs fixture that starts with a T20 game at Trinidad. Such is the glut of new players in the side that seven men out of playing eleven that won the world cup final at Wankhede two months ago don’t feature in the squad. The tour also marks change of guard in the coaching department with former England coach Duncan Fletcher replacing the successful and respected Gary Kirsten. Fletcher, in his first assignment as Indian coach, will be keen to get his first assignment off to a winning start.

Those who have made it to the squad due to the absence of regulars wouldn’t be complaining at all. For they have got a golden opportunity to cement their places in the number one ranked side in the world. The likes of S Badrinath, Parthiv Patel, Manoj Tiwary, Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan have been all included after their strong performances in first class cricket following and good showing in the IPL.

If one goes for a man to man comparison, the second string Indian side appears to be far stronger than the home team in the T20 game. The Raina led side appears to have strong bowling unit that boasts of experienced names- Harbhajan Singh, Ishant Sharma, Praveen Kumar, Munaf Patel and Amit Sharma. Going by the recently concluded series against touring Pakistan, West Indies batsmen will have an uphill task on their hands to confront Indian spin resources. Despite absence of big five in the batting, India still has the firepower to tear apart any bowling unit in the world. And, this makes the job of Darren Sammy led side even more difficult.

While India keeps unearthing new talent thanks to the IPL, West Indies have been the most affected side by the lucrative league. The lure of IPL and other T20 tournaments has prompted star players Chris Gayle, Kieran Pollard and Dwayne Bravo to abandon West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) contracts. With Pollard and Bravo not participating in domestic T20 tournament, they become ineligible to play for the home team in the shortest format of the game. The rift between Gayle and WICB means IPL’s player of the tournament this year will have to sit out of the side till matters aren’t resolved. All this makes West Indies batting unit thin on experience and light on power.

Bowlers, though, did a decent job against Pakistan with leg spinner Devendra Bishoo emerging as a start performer. He impressed one and all by his variation, control and more importantly temperament. His real test may well come against Indian batsmen, arguably the best against spin. Ravi Rampaul, in his comeback stint, looks a far better bowler than he was five years ago. The fast bowler is getting the ball to do a bit both ways and is cranking up brisk pace to trouble the batters. He will have to be at his best if home side wants to give world champions a run for their money.

Opener Lendl Simmons is one name West Indian fans are banking their hopes upon. The aggressive right hander showed his range and courage against a good Pakistan bowling lineup to come out as the highest run getter in limited overs cricket matches. However, the nature of the game and an expected full house rooting for the home side could well work in their favour.

Twenty20 Squads

West Indies: Lendl Simmons, Andre Fletcher (wk), Darren Bravo, Marlon Samuels, Danza Hyatt, Darren Sammy (capt), Christopher Barnwell, Andre Russell, Ashley Nurse, Devendra Bishoo, Ravi Rampaul, Krishmar Santokie.

India: Suresh Raina (capt), R Ashwin, S Badrinath, Harbhajan Singh (vc), Virat Kohli, Praveen Kumar, Amit Mishra, Munaf Patel, Parthiv Patel (wk), Yusuf Pathan, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Ishant Sharma, Rohit Sharma, Vinay Kumar, Manoj Tiwary, Shikhar Dhawan.