Replacements for FAB Four

by Shreyas Bhide

Its that time in the Indian cricketing history, where fans will be seing a huge void in the Indian middle order.

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Ganguly just played the last match of his career. VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid's farewells too aren't far away. Sachin Tendulkar ofcourse will be leaving on his own terms. So how much are the selectors armed to fill in the void. Let's have a look at the available replacements and how much are these players ready to fill in the shoes of the veterans.

1. YUVRAJ SINGH :

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The obvious replacement a year ago, today looks out of contention for a test spot. The man who looked in divine touch a year ago or so in the ODI series against West Indies, Australia and Sri Lanka, made his command for a regular spot in the test team by hitting 6 sixes of a over off Stuart Board. A century (169) off Pakistan in the home series earlier this year surely should have made him a regular in the test team, but declining form, indiscipline and wayward ways have resulted in a form slump that refuses to go away. Neither playing for the national ODi or T20 team, or captaining the India A side against a second string Australian side or even the Ranji tournament seem to be acting as wound healers. Yuvraj Singh has to hit back in the nets, get the basics right and learn a lesson or two about discipline from his honorary seniors in the team.

2. SURESH RAINA : Second best player (technically) who can make it to fill the famed middle order. His ODI form is proof enough

that he deserves a place that eluded him thanks to a packed and famed middle order. The retirement of Ganguly and poor form of Yuvraj Singh can prompt the selectors to draft this youngster into the side, though he has to watch out for Rohit Sharma, who is also vying for the same spot. In the absence of Sachin Tendulkar, Suresh Raina along with Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni will be taking over the responsibility of holding the middle order and it is this litmus test that the youngster will have to pass to be a top contender for a test place. An ODI strike rate of just over 82 with an impressive average of 34.02 will help him to make a mark on the selection committee's mind.

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3. ROHIT SHARMA :

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Rohit Sharma in an Ashish Soni creation, Chivas Fashion Tour, Bengaluru

A dashing debut on the T20 circuit and a decent ODI run will surely help the Mumbai lad to command a spot in the test team, but for that he has to improve on his consistency. An ecletic mix of modern day cricket and orthodox cricket shots has helped Sharma dominate most of the world bowlers. But, an average of 24.68 in the ODI's does not make full justice to the talent that this player has.

4. S.BADRINATH : He has been on the anvil for quite a while. Infact its been almost 4 years since Badrinath has been vying for a test spot in the test team (and quite rightfully). The Tamil Nadu captain has been their batting mainstay for quite a while now. Unfortunately the test team never had a place free for him. He is yet to taste the acid of test cricket on an international level, but his records on the domestic circuit speak the story of an excessively talented player. Of the limited chances he got in the ODI's, his dismal showing (average of 19.50) has had a negative effect on his selection. Morever, unlike Raina or Sharma, Badrinath also does not have age on his side. He's already 28, and struggling on the international level.

5. VIRAT KOHLI : India's under-19 world cup winning skipper, surely is a replacement option, but its time he works hard on his consistency. He has age on his side, and will need to show some extra ordinary results to find a place in the presence of known names like Yuvraj, Raina and Rohit Sharma. The fact that he still hasn't made it to the ODi or T20 team as a regular player, will work against him.

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Ultimately, the best player with a perfect mix of talent, consistency and integrity will win the rat-race.