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Sunday, Jan 06, 2008
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Where are the young batsmen?

India has reason to fear for the future of its batting, writes
Peter Roebuck

— Photo: AFP

RARE TALENT: While Sourav Ganguly’s consistent performance since his comeback may be good news for the Indian team, it masks the lack of quality young Test batsmen in the country.

India has reason to fear for the future of its batting. A hundred players have emerged capable of belting the ball about in madcap versions of the game in which panache is more important than concentration, power matters more than technique and bravado is more relevant than bravery. None has made a lasting impression in Test cricket. India has not produced a batsman of substance in a decade; those prepared to argue that success at T20 proves anything belong on a different page.

Seldom has India’s dependence on its senior batsmen been more obvious than during the SCG Test match. Significantly the batting order has hardly changed in a decade. VVS Laxman, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly are players of the highest class, amongst the best their country has produced. They have survived the ups and downs inevitable in this game of skill and chance to build records that will stand the test of time. But they are past their peaks and promising players ought to be pressing them hard.

Laxman’s hundred in Sydney and the contributions of his contemporaries reminded spectators of the talent India has had at its disposal these last several years. But their emergence has not been the merest stroke of luck. Although gifted, these fellows have also been men of calibre determined to prove themselves as Test batsmen. They were born into a generation that knew that five day cricket is the highest expression of the game. Whether youngsters have the same understanding is debatable.

Of course it can be argued that the brilliance of the established batsmen has prevented anyone else breaking through. It is not as simple as that.

Opportunities have been given to challengers but eventually the veterans have been recalled. In part it is due to the cult of personality rife in Indian cricket whereby players are propped up by fanatical supporters.

It is harder for the selectors to omit a famous batsman than a callow newcomer.

But the fact remains that not one member of the next generation has threatened the incumbents. It is not that they have not been given a chance. Over the years Laxman has been dropped, Ganguly has fallen from favour and Tendulkar has suffered injuries. Rather it is that they have not imposed themselves.

Hard years ahead

None of these elders will be around in a few seasons. What then? It is a problem that needs to be anticipated.

India must confront the reasons for the dearth of new Test batsmen. Otherwise hard years lie ahead. Attitudes must change. Apparently Yuvraj was given $250,000 for every sixer struck in T20 matches.

No wonder his footwork remains shoddy. He can slog his way to fame and fortune. Apparently players from the triumphant T20 side have subsequently performed moderately in the Ranji Trophy.

They know they will retain their places in the money matches. The solution is simple. Drop them. Complacency is a vice.

Having neglected their education, India may need to forget about the supposedly gifted 21 year olds and to look instead towards batsmen in the 28-32 age bracket. Australian selectors are more interested in playing records than birth certificates.

South Africa has recalled Neil McKenzie. In the longer run, though the BCCI must consider the issue of priorities and mentoring. Indian Test batting has been one of the joys of the game.

But the species is endangered. Steps must be to sustain the tradition. Or else India will end up with lots of pace bowlers and precious few batsmen and spinners of Test calibre.

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