AUSTRALIA - THE PERIOD OF RESURGENCE

The recently concluded Australia-Srilanka series showed dazzling signs of  comeback from Australia after a period of almost 2 years, which include two successive defeats ASHES 08-09,10-11, loss of World Championship status which they hold for almost whole the decade. There were speculations that Team Australia lost that energy & killer instinct once the likes of Glenn Mcgrath, Adam Gilchrist, Shane Warne, Matthew Hayden retired. There was a strong criticism on the then Captain, Ricky Ponting too.

With pressure mounting on him form all sides, Ricky Ponting decided to step down as captain which was taken up by Michael Clarke. As soon as he took the oath to take his team back to the heights of pride, he kick started the process of revival in Australian Cricket.

The Kangaroo Cricket Bosses along with their new skipper initiated many changes, which include revamping domestic cricket with more number of teams and making it on par with English county cricket. It looks as if England were their inspiration to Bounce back from that pathetic situation. With foresee, they even sacked some veteran players in order to accumulate more youngsters, there by churning them and make the team stronger.

Cricket Australia in its resurgence Period.

But as those who have stayed up to the end along with them appear to have finally witnessed the behemoth awakening from its slumber, injected with some fresh energy and rejuvenated atmosphere.

There were equal parts of personal and team satisfaction as Clarke reflected on a tour during which Australia also won the ODI series 3-2. Of particular importance for Australian cricket was the emergence of a young group including Shaun Marsh, Nathan Lyon and Trent Copeland, who all debuted and contributed. Add to that the runs of Phillip Hughes, and there was plenty of progress made.

Even though 1-0 result does not signify the resurgence of the old Australian team, it will do their confidence a world of good considering that they have been facing criticism from all quarters.

With this sort of redemption from Australian team, Team India who already been dejected with 0-4 whitewash in England, will definitely gonna have tough time with them late in this year.

INDIAN TEAM SELECTION GAFFES

While injuries can never be predicted, the best of the sides is always ready to cover. But that's the area India are severely deprived in. Team India haven't had played a complete match with their full strength in the recently concluded INDIA ENGLAND Series. Though we cannot make Selection Panel and Team physio scapegoats for Team India's Debacle, they do hold some amount of the blame.

As far as the team batting is concerned, the opening pair in test cricket plays a predominant role in getting a good start, thereby giving a psychological edge to the team. But the Indian team completely failed to make any count in this segment. They started off with the less experienced Abhinav Mukund as an opener at Lord's followed by series of various combinations. Adding to the agony, Gautham Gambhir was injured which compelled Dravid to open the innings along with Abhinav Mukund at Trent Bridge. With Virender Sehwag not fully fit, the selectors played a gamble in playing him in the last two tests.

Zaheer Khan carried an injury into the series and had to pull out after bowling just 13 overs in the first Test at Lord's, thus throwing India's campaign out of gear right at the start. The BCCI delayed naming a replacement for the injured Zaheer Khan . When selectors picked an unfit and off-color R.P Singh as a replacement for Zaheer Khan, the anguish reached its pinnacle. It seems that selectors have completely forgotten Abhimanyu Mithun, Jaidev Unandkat, Umesh yadav, all young fast bowlers, tried and tested, only to be dumped.

How come these two players made it to the squad for England? Clearly, the selectors are at fault. If players can be sacked after a poor outing, then why not the same yardstick for the selectors!

Even, the decision to recall 38 years Rahul Dravid to the limited overs side for the England tour clearly exposed the poor planning of selection committee. Should we perceive that as a reverence gesture to the legend?? After all, its the Team that matters the most, not the individual. After the world cup triumph, the selectors need to start building for the next world cup. Dhoni said that they aren't demoralized, but Selection Panel already pressed PANIC button.

Even in the Emerging Players tournament, K Srikanth selected his beloved son Anirudha Srikanth who has a poor record in unlimited overs cricket. If people like him keep on misusing power, without proper planning for upcoming years, the future of Indian cricket will face severe predicament.

Till now the Selectors miserably failed to seek a perfect replacement for No.6 slot in Test cricket. What about replacements for Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman who are on the fringe of retirement?

The BCCI should go hard on the selection panel and make some necessary changes to ensure unbiased and healthy selection procedure with proper insight into the future.