10 Questions for Vengsarkar

1) If there is no real talent available in Indian cricket, what have you been doing as the head of the BCCIs ambitious initiative for discovering nascent wizards, as the Talent Research Development Officer for the last couple of years? Have you documented your findings and reported the same to BCCI as it is an alarming statement on ground realities of Indian cricket? Will the BCCI kindly share with us all the detailed analysis, please?

2) Why do you think was Wasim Jaffer “stunned” at hearing the news of his selection in the ODI team? He has confessed that the news was like a swift thunderbolt, albeit the lightning effect was salutary. Is regional parity being maintained, as several are speculating, especially with Ajit Agarkar being sidelined on account of injury and Romesh Powar given a penalty kick?

3) On what basis can Wasim Jaffer be preferred over an in-form Gautam Gambhir? There is absolutely no practical rationale, logic or statistical debate on this, as Gambhir also has the experience of having played as an ODI opener for India. We are nonplussed, so kindly enlighten us.

4) MS Dhoni is one of our two match-winning batsmen, so what is the real worth in including Dinesh Karthik as a substitute wicketkeeper when he is most likely to be the runner-boy with the soft drink trolleys? And at best will visit Sun City on a day-off from that pedestrian duty as well.

5) Apparently, as per your statement, Sourav Ganguly was not “even discussed”. Really? That sounds terribly flawed, Dilip, seriously speaking! In fact, Ganguly should have been on South African Airways in any of these four positions; as an opener in place of Jaffer, as a middle order substitute for either the undependable Mohd Kaif or the inexperienced infant Suresh Raina or as a full-time batsman in place of passenger Dinesh Karthik. So is the current BCCI administration hell-bent on finishing Ganguly’s career with a little generous help from the selection panel?

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6) After scoring at an average of 15 runs in the last 10 matches, Suresh Raina is preferred over such proven outstanding players such as VVS Laxman and Sourav Ganguly? Are these just deliberate stop-gap measures meant to inevitably force Ganguly and Laxman to hang up their boots in sheer frustration? So are we trying to make Team India win cricket matches or play polluted political games? As the Mohali experience should tell the Indian selectors, in the end the bottom-line is that Indian cricket will suffer an incalculable damage, Mr Vengsarkar. The truth is that BCCIs vindictive policies have already boomeranged big-time.

7) So Sachin Tendulkar and Anil Kumble can return straight to competitive international cricket after debilitating injuries but Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman have to play domestic matches to prove their fitness and form? Mr Vengsarkar, can we cut out the dubious double standards being practiced with such brazen contempt for basic human intelligence and decency?

8) Why have you rewarded Romesh Powar’s 3-24 against England in the Champions Trophy by dropping him unceremoniously without getting an additional opportunity? Shouldn’t he have been there in place of VRV Singh, as India already has a five-man battery of fast bowlers for bouncy tracks?

9) Are the selectors choosing the team or is coach Greg Chappell influencing the selection panel by his well-publicised preferences for some and unpalatable distaste for others?

10) We are keen to know what are your plans for enforcing or ensuring that India’s branded superstars, with clay feet and dark Oakley glares, perform in domestic cricket matches, which has remained a pipe dream and wishful thinking for long.

Poor Yuvraj Singh may be on crutches, Mr Vengsarkar, but Indian cricket is currently resembling a Dead Man Walking. Your response may help clear some of the dark ominous clouds broodingly hanging over my desolate window.

Sincerely,

Sanjay Jha.