Spare Sachin
Manoj Madhavan -
Wednesday, August 13, 2008 5:14 PM
India's fabulous four never fired in Lanka, and, arguably, we lost the Idea Cup Test series because of a strong-on-paper-but-weak-on-form middle order. Now, understandably, its time for some heads to roll.
But, I am not sure if it will happen any time soon. Why? Because this is also time for a change in the selectors: we expect to have a new team there as well after the second Test of the home series against Australia. Do you think the new men in that team would have the heart (read guts) to effect such a drastic change. I doubt it. Taht said, it would indeed be interesting to see the next Test team selection.
And while we are talking of the Indian middle order, let's spare a thought for Sachin Tendulkar. On the cusp of a record, Tendulkar comes back home with the lowest average between the four. Not surprisingly, those who say that he should be the one to be axed first, have only got more ammunition after this series. But one bad series and do we forget all about his contribution to the cause of Indian cricket? Remember, in the 2007-08 Pakistan and Australian series, Tendulkar averaged a whopping 69.50 and 70.83 in two and four Tests respectively.
Just for the record In a career spanning 57 Test series,
- Sachin has not scored a 50 or a century only on three occasions.*
- He has scored 31 centuries in these 57 series.
- He has averaged more than 50 in a Test series 28 times.
- He has averaged more than 100 seven times.
- In the only three 5 match test series he has played in his carreer, two against West Indies in West Indies and one against Australia in Australia, he averaged above 40.
*In a three match test series