The wise men's wisdom -- Old is gold

The wise men's wisdom -- Old is gold
Suresh Menon

India have one advantage going into the Mumbai Test next week. They would be happy with one of two results: A win or a draw. Australia, however, will be looking to extend their streak of 15 consecutive victories. The visitors, therefore, have to do all the running. India thus have the psychological advantage, however small.

It is against this background that the team given to Saurav Ganguly must be seen. Frankly, there are no surprises. Narendra Hirwani returns at 32, riding his recent domestic successes. The crucial slot of the leading spinner had to be filled by someone with experience.

Luckily for India, experience was matched by form in Hirwani’s case. In the absence of Anil Kumble, who is exactly two years younger than Hirwani, it would have been unfair to weigh down the other spinners Rahul Sanghvi and Harbhajan Singh with the responsibility of carrying India’s main weapon on their shoulders.

By picking three medium-pacers and an equal number of spinners, the Indians have given nothing away on the nature of the Wankhede wicket. Still, the bowlers need to take 20 wickets before India can win and that seems a tall order right now.

During the Challenger series in Chennai (which apparently had nothing to do with national selection), Ganguly had said that the selection would show India playing to their strength. Everyone assumed he was talking about spin bowling, but it was clearly batting that was on his mind.

Five bowlers and five batsmen is the formula. This is sensible when you consider that wicket-keeper Nayan Mongia has a good home record against Australia. By recalling Hirwani and Mongia, the Indian selectors have shown they are going for the best available rather than team-building.

There is a certain logic to it in a three-Test series where the home team begin as underdogs. Still, the likes of Hemang Badani are clearly ready for the big time; and it is only fair to give a player his turn when he is in form and full of confidence. Badani is among the post-Azharuddin players who might help us to forget the shenanigans of that generation a bit faster.

That is why the Australia series is important. If India do badly, the shameful episodes of the recent past will cling to them, scaring away sponsors, media and the fans. Victory, as always, will drown all shortcomings. It will also mean that everybody looks ahead to possible future success, rather than to the past and the defeats it conjures up.