Why BCCI's decision to send key players early to SA is a wise move, but...
Why BCCI's decision to send key players early to SA is a wise move, but...
Rain threat apart, if India and Australia take the field for the third and final one-day international at Goa today, the India team sheet will not include the name of Sachin Tendulkar for the 21st time in 23 ODIs this year.
Sure, Tendulkar has been kept in cotton wool to keep him fresh for the real thing --Test matchesu00a0-- as well as the need to be in prime shape for next year's World Cup. However, his continued absence also raises the question: Are there too many meaningless one-day series?
After Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men end their series against Australia today, there is New Zealand to tackle soonu00a0-- three Tests and five one-dayers.
ADVERTISEMENT
It is learnt that an important member of the support staff wanted India to play just two Tests and a truncated one-day series against the Kiwis, but the business side of the game was a hurdle ufffd not for the first time, of course.
Acclimatised
This late decision means that the important players can fly out to South Africa and have enough time to acclimatise to conditions before the first Test on December 16 at Centurion.
However, there is a view that the one-day series against New Zealand (which ends on December 10) could have been pruned so that the team could reach South Africa early in the first place.
There is a gap of just six days between the final ODI at Chennai against New Zealand and the first Test in South Africa.
That the Indian team will, in any case, not play a warm-up fixture before the Test series against South Africa is ridiculous. Is India in such an unbelievable situation because of the five-match one-day series against New Zealand? Probably!
Former New Zealand captain and current chairman of selectors Glenn Turner appeared to be disappointed that his team would not take on India's best team in the one-day series because the players fly out to South Africa early. "It is their (BCCI) business.
We have very little to do with them. Obviously, we want to watch Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar in action, but there's very little we can do. We are still playing India, whether the top players take the field or not," the Kiwi batting legend told SUNDAY MiD DAY.
Sticks out
The BCCI should be commended for their decision, or rather heeding to the team management's request to get better prepared for the all-important South Africa safari which will feature the best two Test sides in world cricket. But the warped scheduling by India administrators sticks out like a sore thumb.
"This is the big problem today... a terrible calendar. The priority is obviously the tour of South Africa, and then the World Cup. We need to stick by the decisionu00a0-- it as a very wise one. But cricket scheduling needs a shot in the arm," said former captain Bishan Singh Bedi.
To thwart administrators from taking decisions that have more financial, rather than cricketing benefits, Bedi suggested that the ICC introduces the much-awaited one-day league.
"They must introduce it, but it should one which is understood by the layman. We don't need a complicated system," stressed Bedi.
The absence of stars in one-dayers will not delight the broadcasters.u00a0 "It is a little disappointing that the big Indian stars have and will miss several ODIs this season. A lot of time and investment goes into the preparation of each match. Crowds expect to see the best players.
"Having said that, the priority should be the Indian cricket team. If resting the seniors for the ODIs against New Zealand is the way forward, then so be it," said a television producer.
Why Chennai?
New Zealand's chairman of selectors, Glenn Turner was a little surprised that the M A Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai would host the fifth and final ODI. "Doesn't it rain very heavily in Chennai during December? Something wrong with the scheduling," he said.
Move to backfire?
Glenn Turner reckoned that India would be wide off the mark to underestimate the Kiwis. "This will be India's last ODI series at home before the World Cup. They didn't fare well with a young team in Zimbabwe earlier this year.
This decision could work in New Zealand's favour and help them regain some momentum after a terrible tour of Bangladesh. If I were India, I'd try to get my combination right," said Turned. "They shouldn't allow complacency to creep in, every game before WC is important."
"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels 
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
