Arjun
Cricketer Of The Year
Obviously Badrinath. Pujara isn't quite the finished article. When someone has played over a century of FC games and makes a habit of scoring centuries, he's surely better than the one who's only played half as much. Ranji experience should be valued in selections, as the people who come up the hard way will get a game, as against the flawed logic of getting in players fresh out of youth teams. The likes of Badri, Murali Kartik, Mishra, Vinay Kumar, Irfan (if he stays fit) and by a long shot Pankaj Singh and Ramesh Powar should be in contention for places in the national side, as it will make younger players take Ranji Trophy and Duleep Trophy more seriously, with the IPL impact, and make them earn their cap on performance, rather than accept it as a gift because of their youth. It will also go far in weeding out age cheats in junior cricket. Experience in playing for India A abroad as well as for Board XI teams against visiting sides should also be considered.He tops the run scorers list in the Ranji Trophy AGAIN, is it time to give him another shot at Test cricket? Pujara has done similarly to Badrinath, against the same opposition. However, Badri has a better domestic record proven over a longer period of time.
In a post-Sachin-Laxman-Dravid era, the old hands from the domestic setup should be given a higher preference and a longer run in the team.