When the Indian cricket team decided to tour England with a pack of unfit players, it wasn’t because there was a dearth of suitable replacements for the likes of Suresh Raina, Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir. Perhaps, the selectors were too wary of picking youngsters.
What the national side really is inspiration. Speaking of which, looking towards the south of the country might help — the Kerala cricket team has seemingly worked out a success mantra involving a mix of the young and the experienced and Team India might find this inspiring.
The state team, enjoying great success in the Buchi Babu Invitational Trophy cricket tournament, has the right blend of senior players and talented fresh legs.
The likes of Sachin Baby, Akshay Kodoth, Niyaz N., K.R. Sreejith, Sanuth Mohammed and P.U. Anthaf were given the chance to play in place of seniors, but, unlike their counterparts in the national side, these young men have made thin chances count.
The 21-year-old Sachin was made the vice-captain before the start of the tournament and he justified it by cracking a brilliant ton in the opener against Bengal.
Another surprise inclusion was 20-year-old Akshay Kodoth, who replaced stand-in wicketkeeper-batsman Chandra Tejas.
Meanwhile, right-arm pacer Niaz N. made his way into the team replacing the very talented Sony Cheruvathur, who was Kerala’s leading wicket-taker in the Ranji season last year.
The youngster is regarded as one of the most promising talents from the state who had a sensational performance for the MRF Pace Foundation in the emerging players’ tournament last year, taking three India ‘A’ wickets, including that of Virat Kohli and Manoj Tiwary. Maybe the Indian selectors should take a leaf out of Kerala’s book and opt for youngsters.
State’s promising star
Youngsters from the State team have impressed in various national tournaments like the Buchi Babu, held recently in Chennai. It should augur well for the ensuing Ranji season.