Phasing out the Fab Four

Indian selectors have done the right thing by showing the door to Sourav Ganguly. His form and fitness have been wanting fora  while. He has done yoeman service to his country but its time to move on.

Critics of the phasing out policy have questioned the depth in Indian team to replace the fab four. Clearly, it an issue but unless we start phasing out Indian cricket will end up having to fill in a huge hole in its batting order. A situation as disastraous as one Australia faced in mid 1980s when Lillee, Marsh and Chappell retired together.

In next tweleve months, India should show the way to Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar -- in order of the form (or lack of it) they show in coming series against Australia, England, Pakistan and New Zealand. VVS Laxman eternally on the brink of losing his place perhaps should continue for 2-3 years yet to shepherd the young guns of Indian cricket..

So who are the young guns who can replace the gaints? Yuvraj Singh, Badrinath, Kaif, Raina, Rohit Sharma come to mind.

Inspite of his recent fitness and form, Yuvraj to my mind is a very prodigious talent who needs to get his head right. On his day, Yuvraj is just unstoppable. He is a must in Indian test line up. Badrinath is another talent who has struggled to break into this formidable batting line up. Whatever little I have seen of him has given be enough faith in this chap. He is India's Michael Hussey - a possible late debutant but has talent to become one of top batsmen around.

Kaif is an enigma. He seemingly lost his way but his superb batting for Uttar Pradesh got him back in national reckoning. His performance in IPL was horrible to say the least and he looked short of class but test cricket is a differnt ball game. If Kaif has worked on this two weaknesses ie. the short ball and the fast incutter, he should prove to be an able replacement.

Raina is another crickter who has seen the lows and has worked really hard to cement his place back in the Indian team. If he curbs his instinct to fish outside the offstump, should prove to be  a tough and aggressive customer.

R0hit Sharma is sheer class and talent but his temperament for the longer form of the game is in question. I somehow get the feeling that he is someone who raises his game on the bigger stage. His performances in Ranji Trophy are pathetic but he is someone whom selectors should persists with.

Apart from these five cricketers, I would keep an eye for Shikar Dhawan and Manoj Tewary. Batting depth indeed will be tested but its better start to grooming talen now