India v New Zealand, 2nd Test: Gautam Gambhir’s selection gives a ray of hope to seniors

The selection of Gautam Gambhir to the Indian Test team has given a ray of hope to the senior players, who, of late, were considered to be over the bar. By naming Gambhir, the new Senior Selection Committee led by MSK Prasad seems to indicate that age is no bar for selection provided the player passes the fitness test and proves his consistency in domestic cricket. 

“The Indian team management too seem to be on the same page with the selectors,” sources told. Another source suggested that it was India’s head coach Anil Kumble who floated the idea of having performance based entry into the team, where age won’t be a deciding factor.

This means that the likes of Yuvraj Singh would be in contention for a comeback to the national team, if he is able to prove fitness and form in domestic cricket. Reputation will no longer count for the new selection panel. 

“Oldies still stand a chance, if they able to fulfill the criteria of fitness and form in domestic cricket,” a top BCCI official said.Devang Gandhi, Gagan Khoda, Sarandeep Singh and Jatin Paranjpe besides Prasad were big time performers on the domestic circuit but couldn’t get their due recognition at the highest level.

Hence, these men want to ensure that the domestic performances are given due weightage. Sources said the selectors had the name of Abhinav Mukund too in their mind before zeroing in on Gambhir.

Sources said that the selectors are also banking on experience in the longer versions of the game. When KL Rahul got injured, the panel could have replaced him with another young opener but the selectors wanted someone with experience.