The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Yuvraj's candidacy outweighs Chopra's

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jun 27, 2004

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Sport - Cricket

Yuvraj's candidacy outweighs Chopra's

Akash Chopra and Yuvraj Singh are as different as winter and summer and the Indian selectors must choose between them for the forthcoming series against Australia. Clearly, the splendid Virender Sehwag will take a short break from the Mad Hatter's tea party to open the innings but who will accompany him to the crease? Who will dare to walk through the crowd and into the light to face a fierce opponent and a fast bowler pawing at the ground?

Sehwag is a gutsy, daring cricketer unafraid of any opponent and prepared to meet any challenge. He may play some hair-raising strokes but he has scored runs in a World Cup final and has passed 300 in a single Test innings and as always, the facts speak for themselves. Does he need a partner from the stoic tradition to serve as a counterpoint to his adventures? Or a fellow trail-blaster unwilling to wait till the ball is soft before launching his attack?

It is a crucial decision because a productive opening pair can pave the way for India's contrasting and powerful middle-order. On the other hand, early troubles will give the Australians all the encouragement needed by a side hell bent on destruction. Tests revolve around the battles of the new ball.

Chopra and Yuvraj are the only candidates seriously mentioned to walk out beside the man from Delhi. In truth, the decision is as much a matter of instinct as cricketing judgement. After all the players have about as much in common as an Ambassador and a racing car. One is sturdy and reliable and the other is flashy and fast. What is the journey to be undertaken? That is the question.

Consider the merits of the candidates. Chopra is a small, stubborn, consistent right-hander who gave stout service Down Under. He sells his wicket dearly, knows the location of his off-stump and generally lasts long enough to take the sting out of the bowling. Admittedly, he did not prosper against Pakistan but every opener experiences a bad match now and then.

His weak point is his inability to sustain his innings. Nor can he take charge of the bowling. Chopra has to work so hard for his runs that eventually the effort exhausts him whereupon he departs with 40 or so runs to his name. He lacks the range of shots needed to force the bowlers onto the defensive. Most particularly, he cannot change gear, a fault sometimes also detected in Ambassadors, vehicles made to last in the toughest terrain and not constructed with speed or comfort in mind.

Chopra can improve his game. His back lift is the problem. Because the left shoulder is not properly engaged, Chopra tends to push at the ball instead of driving it. Accordingly, the slightest error in timing sends the ball rising towards gully. He needs to change his back lift and to practise driving the ball with only his top hand on the bat. Otherwise, he will remain forever a grafter, a contributor limited by technical as opposed to mental deficiencies. But he is solid and brave and Sehwag likes batting with him because it allows him to chance his arm.

Yuvraj is a tall, loose, impetuous and combative left-hander, a different breed altogether. Whereas, Chopra is a specialist, his challenger was raised in the middle-order and is accordingly regarded by true openers with the scorn the Spartans reserved for the more effete members of Athenian society. As V.V.S. Laxman discovered not so long ago, opening the innings requires a unique blend of fortitude and footwork. Like climbing Mount Everest, it is not a task to be undertaken lightly.

But Yuvraj's candidacy is not to be dismissed out of hand. After all, he has lots of ability and might well be able to make the necessary adjustments. Moreover, he is a feisty customer whose chivalry is reserved for encounters with the female of the species. He has proved his worth in the heat of many battles. Also his left-handedness and height contrast would force bowlers to change their length and line in the middle of an over. Finally, he is happier against spin, and especially leg-spin than Chopra, a point that will weigh heavily in his favour.

Which way to turn? India's selectors have made many shrewd decisions over the last few months and are better placed than an Australian commentator to choose between these batsmen. Indeed, it is wise to beware of Australians bearing advice. Still, everyone is entitled to an opinion. I'd plumb for Yuvraj and tell him to start his preparations without delay. Over the years, the strategy of giving opportunities to exceptionally gifted sportsman has been rewarded. And it is not as if he is a novice.

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