The Hindu : Sport : ‘India has a settled look’

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Oct 23, 2007
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Sport

‘India has a settled look’

G. Viswanath

The bowling is a bit of a concern, says Vengsarkar

— Photo: AFP

SPEAKING OUT: Dilip Vengsarkar, chairman of the National selection committee, says that everybody has to earn his place in the team and nobody gets an opportunity on a platter.

Mumbai: Dilip Vengsarkar, chairman of the National selection committee, has travelled with the Indian team for the Test series in South Africa and England. In this interview to The Hindu, Vengsarkar shares his thoughts on issues related to Indian cricket.

Excerpts:

Q. It’s always tough facing the mighty Australians. How would you sum up the seven-match series?

A. Australia, without doubt, has been the most formidable team in world cricket for the last 10 years or so.

Their record has been outstanding not only at home but also abroad. I feel India has done a fantastic job by beating them in two ODIs as well as in the T20 match. Had India won the Nagpur one-dayer, we could have drawn the series. But then there is no place for ‘ifs’ and ‘buts’ in cricket. I have always maintained that to play against the Aussies, the teams the world over have to raise their game to be competitive.

The Indian middle-order has been occupied by a phalanx in Tendulkar, Dravid, Ganguly and Laxman. They have performed well in their long careers. Has the time arrived to look for another set of players?

In cricket, everybody has to earn his place in the team and that happens only if a player is consistent at whatever level he plays the game. Nobody gets an opportunity on a platter. I feel the team is nicely settled at the moment, and looks solid too.

A year ago, you said that there were not enough quality players who can take the cricket world by storm. Has your opinion changed?

What I said was that there is a lot of talent in the country but there is no exceptional talent (like Sachin Tendulkar, Kapil Dev or Sunil Gavaskar).

At the moment, the recent India ‘A’ series has given us good options for the season.

Would you say that Yuvraj has been erratic and needs to play a lot more conventional cricket (Tests) for his talent to develop fully?

Yuvi is extremely talented and some of his shots remind me of Sir Garfield Sobers. Unfortunately, he hasn’t got many opportunities at the Test level. I am sure he will establish himself as one of the frontline batsmen in the near future.

Robin Uthappa has given sufficient evidence in recent times of settling down to the demands of international cricket. Again, would you say playing in Tests would help him further tighten his game and establish himself

Like Yuvi, Robin, too, is very talented. Of course, to succeed at the Test level you have to tighten your technique but both of them have so much potential they are just waiting to erupt.

Do you think a batsman has to play at least two years in domestic cricket and prove himself in order to come into the national reckoning?

There is no hard and fast rule for this. Some players mature with time while some like Sachin were ready even at the age of 16.

The bowling department appears a trifle unsettled. Munaf Patel (thought to be a fine talent two years ago) is yet to establish himself because of injury issues. Irfan, too, still appears to have some way to go. Sreesa

nth needs to be a little more focused. What are your thoughts on the seam attack?

Yes, I agree that the bowling department is a bit of a concern. Though there are fast bowlers like Ishant Sharma, Yomahesh and V.R.V. Singh waiting in the wings they will have to raise their performance. The spinners like Pragyan Ojha, Iqbal Abdulla and Amit Mishra too will have to raise the bar.

Murali Kartik’s showing once again proved that nothing can substitute experience…

Experience plays a very important role at the highest level. Besides, spinners mature late and I guess Kartik is at the peak of his career at present.

Would you say that having played Australia, India will be prepared to take on Pakistan and also compete well in the away series in Australia?

Winning matches against the Australians would stand us in good stead for the matches to come. It will be a great morale-booster for the team.

Your thoughts on M.S. Dhoni as a cricketer…

Extremely focused, level-headed and a captain who likes to lead from the front.

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