Goals for the Year 2008

Surprisingly, there is no confusion or debate about that in India; the first is to win the upcoming test series against South Africa and the second is to win the series against Australia. That means winning the majority of seven intense test matches. I mentioned as much in my first-look at the upcoming South African series.

There is also no confusion between the separate roles of test, 50-50, and 20-20 cricket, and the respective players thereof.

Seven intense test matches on the trot with two best cricket-playing countries requires fit and eager personnel. There will be injuries, even though one hopes not. There will be players who will rediscover form or lose it during the course.

The emphasis on winning test matches is refreshing from a board which has been obsessed with the limited overs variety for quite a few years now. At least that was the public projection, perhaps because India won a little more in those varieties as compared to test matches. Now, the reasons for the emphasis are threefold - 1) the realization (finally, one might say and with gratitude to the powers above for knocking sense in) that there is not enough respect for your game if you do not win test matches at home and abroad consistently 2) the hunger of the veterans on their last waltzes matching the expectations of the board (and country) which has faithfully invested in their talent for long, and 3) the emergence of a bowling attack which can finally win matches at home and abroad.


CoS Dilip Vengsarkar, who is making the right noises in the press this year, let's us in onto the fact that the board is thinking something along the lines above.

It is unlikely that there will be too many changes to the batting order barring the odd slot. The bulk will be formed by Sehwag, Sachin, Rahul, Saurav, Laxman, Dhoni, and Kumble. Changes will be around this skeletal framework unless injuries and serious form issues develop. It is also in this regard that the South African series becomes even more important.

This set will be playing through the series for sure. Performance in this series could determine at least one spot for the Australian tour later. If at all anyone is vulnerable, it is Sehwag and perhaps Saurav. But is Dravid safe?

These are dangerous questions to ask, but ask we must.

Let us imagine a scenario in which one of the biggies (other than Sachin of course...yes, different standards apply to him and I'm not apologising for that) do not do well consistently through this series. "Why the negativism," you may ask. Let me assure it isn't negativism, but just to have the back-ups ready and primed if such transpires. I expect a grand performance from the old bats all over again.

Right, so what if?

Two questions crop up following that - a) Would they, who do not perform so, be picked for the Australian series? b) Who then are the position-wise replacements towards realization of the stated goals?

Let me hear it from you.