Although Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan Singh were not picked for the tour of Australia, they were still hopeful of making it at least to the 30 member list of the World Cup probables. However, all five of them have been shown the door by the selectors, and it is a clear signal that the men who choose the Indian squad are looking ahead. The five names mentioned above have done some excellent work for Indian cricket over the years. But, they have clearly underperformed in recent times in spite of being a longer run. This is enough indication of the fact that their games are in terminal decline, and that they should now step aside, and allow the youngsters to take over.
Although not part of the team anymore, each one has expressed their willingness to be part of the side even while admitting that things will be tough. Sehwag has said that in spite of the recent snubs he hasn't given up hopes of a comeback yet. At the same time, he has added that he wouldn't regret it if he doesn't get to play for India again as he has achieved all that he wanted to as a player. If he is seriously about making a comeback, Sehwag will have to work doubly hard in the nets. Does he have the temperament to fight another battle this late in his career? One wonders. Whether he makes a comeback or not, Sehwag will be remembered as one of the best batsmen of the modern era.
Yuvraj, who made his debut in 2000, hasn't played for India since that laborious knock in the World T20 final, which went a long way in India losing the title. His Test career never took off, but once he got his priorities right, Yuvraj became India's most dangerous, and a highly consistent batsman in ODIs. Ever since coming back from his cancer fight though he hasn't been the same player. He has been given a few chances, and some kind-hearted souls want Yuvraj to be given a longer rope because of his struggle. There is no place for emotion in selection though. Yuvraj has admitted that not playing for India again will be tough, but that is how things may be.
Zaheer and Harbhajan, both of whom were the central figures in India's bowling line-up also seem to have run their race. Zaheer played in South Africa and New Zealand, and while he did not perform badly, his pace had dropped significantly during those two crucial tours. It seems illogical that the selectors would fall back on him again. As for Harbhajan, it seems almost impossible to believe that he last played an ODI in 2011, the year India won the World Cup. He made a Test comeback last year, but was pretty much used an a fill-in bowler. Harbhajan could have been India's lead bowler after Anil Kumble retired, but it wasn't to be.
Of all the players, Gambhir has a slender chance of making a comeback, at least in the one-day format, since he is continuing to score in the domestic format. Just recently he notched up a hundred in Ranji Trophy. But, it will be tough for him to win back the faith of the selectors. He had a excruciatingly painful comeback in the England Tests, and unless Shikhar Dhawan performs worse than him, the selectors will look to avoid getting him back even though he is the youngest of the lot. Gambhir is known to be a fighter, but there is also a theory floating around that things between him and MS Dhoni have not been always hunky dory. All said and done, it looks like the big five have hit a dead end as far as their international careers are concerned.
--By A Cricket Analyst
