Farce of a selection

Playing competitive cricket in Australia is not an easy task and a balanced team is the need of the hour for a series Down Under. Instead of infusing young blood, selectors have gone with tried and tested players. Their choice is not a balanced one. The Test team is not the number one side of yore. The top order is rather shaky, the middle order weak, and the tail never wags to give substantial runs or enough lead. Ashwin will not be used much as he is not the captain's choice. Both Vihari and Pujari are rusty without much match practice. The team is packed with pace bowlers as a backup for the injured Indian team. All in all, a farce.

C K Subramaniam