Selection puzzles leave questions but not answers

This may seem like the old refrain of a discordant tune from a worn out record, yet there are reasons behind the belief the Krish Srikkanth-led Chennai selection mafia, are in the middle of a jigsaw puzzle they can’t finish.

Or are unable to fathom out just where the missing pieces are to go; or in fact what the mislaid bits of puzzle cutouts look like.

Either that or the giant game of scrabble they are also trying to play has any number of missing letters as they look to fill the blanks when it comes to their long-term plans for the limited overs internationals. Whatever way it is viewed, their policy is, on the surface divisively enigmatic and as transparent as a large muddy lake.

With the ICC WorldT20 in a couple of months and the World Cup now less than a year away, they are fiddling with their bowling attack in such a way it makes you wonder if they actually have a plan at all, unless of course there are ulterior motives.

Sure, the current side is for the first two matches of the series against South Africa, and with Harbhajan Singh granted leave for important family duties, it gives the selectors a chance to fiddle around with the attack. The question being asked is whether Yusuf Kahn is in for two games as a stopgap in Bhajji’s absence, or going to be given a chance to prove himself; or is this just another fancy ploy, hoping he is part of the missing puzzle pieces.

There is also the matter of what are the plans for Shanthakumaran Sreesanth? Selected for the second Test at Eden Gardens, but overlooked (no reason given) and then missing from the ODIs and no reasons given for the absence. Now he has only been included after the Zaheer Khan injury.