Juniors need a guiding hand

With fringe players like Hrishikesh Kanitkar, VVS Laxman, Devang Gandhi looking out of sorts at the international level, their performances have to be evaluated. They might have played an occasional good knock or two, but do India colours come so cheap ?

On the other scale is the junior team. But, before assessing their wares in the context of the senior side, their World Cup win has to be put in proper perspective. They mixed keen cricketing maturity with aggression, which is a healthy sign but we cannot discount the fact that they were playing on familiar terrain — sub-continent wickets. Secondly, the only other side which could have given India competition, South Africa, were done in by rain and were left redeeming themselves in the Plate championships.

Players like Reetinder Sodhi, Yuvraj Singh, Mohammad Kaif and some more will play the Challenger Trophy at Ahmedabad from February 10. Indian skipper Sachin Tendulkar has gone on record, praising the juniors and hailing them as “good investment for future”. Rubbing shoulders with the established stars would be a new experience for the youngsters and as Tendulkar felt, some could be asked to travel and practice with the side and learn.

A few youngsters might even break into the side against South Africa. That won’t be a bad idea as not much separates the Kanitkars, Gandhis and Laxmans from the Sodhis, Yuvrajs and Kaifs. But, one thing the Indian Board needs to do is to ensure the others are not wasted. Put an arm across their shoulders and tell them how badly Indian cricket needs them.

Most members of the under-19 side will cross this age group now. Some will get to play the Ranji Trophy right now while others will have their chances in the next season. But there will be some, like opener Munish Sharma, who may have to wait slightly longer to become a first-class cricketer. Munish comes from Punjab where the level of competition is high. Three of the four Punjab players in the junior side — Yuvraj, Sodhi and Ravneet Ricky — have already played Ranji Trophy. They are all opening batsmen and with Vikram Rathore also opening the state batting, Munish might have to wait longer, despite being ready for it.

This is not an isolated case. Many, like Munish in the past, have nothing to do in the immediate years after crossing under-19 levels and ultimately end up giving up the game. It’s been more than a decade-and-a half since the under-22 tourney was put in cold storage. That tournament, and the concept of under-25 tours, gave final shape to many a talent. It also helped them graduate from being `boys’ to `men’.

Right now, there are `men’ playing with `boys’ as insecurity compels them to first compete and then plunder records off players much younger. Since they get used to less resistance, they fail to come good when rivals at the Ranji Trophy level sort them out.

The under-22 tournament exists in South Zone. West Zone reintroduced it last season. The current junior champs need a tournament like this so that they can compete at national level next season onwards. The under-19 side’s success has raised hopes of a bright future for Indian cricket. It’s now upto the board and the selectors to nurture this talent and make best use of them.