The Indian fans are a bit too busy discussing the Super Series, the Chappell-Ganguly spat and the BCCI bungles. Let's look at the forthcoming Irani Trophy instead, shall we?
Gautam Gambhir has performed decently for India as a Test opener and is just right for ODI's, but what he can do as captain is yet to be seen. He's captained the Indian Emerging Team for the disastrous tour of SL in 2003, but otherwise, he's not a regular. Dheeraj Jadhav of Maharashtra is the obvious choice as a partner, but why were four openers picked? Do they really need so many? Dumb. The team needs fast bowlers and all-rounders, and they go about picking prospects who don't stand a chance of making the Indian side by a long way. Hopefully, neither will make the XI, but now Niraj Patel is playing as an opener for Gujarat and in the middle-order for other teams.
The selectors seem to be bankrupt of ideas to go back to Parthiv Patel as a wicketkeeper. There are better wicketkeeper-batsmen than him, and also better specialist keepers too. By the way, don't you already have Dinesh Karthik and MS Dhoni waiting? Try to make the Rest Of India side genuinely the Rest Of India and not a bunch of extras, won't you?
The selection of Ramesh Powar was not too bad, but there are other all-rounders available. No doubt he's done well with the ball (he was the second-highest wicket-taker last season) and scored 3 over 50 ending with an average of 29, but Baroda's Yusuf Pathan and Rajesh Pawar were worth a try too. With no other all-rounders in the scene, the team will be short of bowlers or batsmen, depending on the selection.
Watch out for Vikram Singh- the Punjab pacer is well-built, fast and very, very aggressive. He can make a difference in this match, but Railways have faced him before so they won't be all at sea. While most of the Rest Of India players are extras, this youngster is a genuine India prospect. But why are Irfan Pathan and Joginder Sharma out? Not only is one of them an India regular, they're both good swing bowlers and they can score more than a few useful runs. Bhajji's outbursts may not have plaeased the selectors, but he's a better choice than one of the other spinners. Unless Ramkumar has a genuine chance of playing for India.
The Railways selection shouldn't be too bad, but Bangar should play as a full-time bowler. He's capable of holding a line and length for a long time, and can add a few variations to unsettle the batsmen. He's a good support bowler for Yadav and Karthik, and coupled with his batting, he can be a more-than-useful ODI selection. Karthik will have a lot to do to convince the selectors, but he seems to be in better form when playing for teams other than India. Opener Amit Pagnis, who has often got himself out when he's in good nck, must keep up his good form of last season to help Railways. As always, a lot will depend on JP Yadav.
Railways are more likely to win, given their versatility, and they play well as a team. However, VR Singh and Ramesh Powar will prove to be a surprise package here. All worth a watch.
Will this match be shown on television? Already, Doordarshan Sports have been showing local 20-20 matches and a few club OD's too. That's not too bad.
