BCCI deserves to answer 'reserve' riddle

One would also have to feel a bit sorry of Aakash Chopra. Our selectors and BCCI mandarins have frequently gone on about how domestic performances are what decide a player's future as an India player. By that claim, Chopra should have walked into the side eyes closed. But that did not happen.

It’s possible that the selectors cannot envisage three openers from Delhi - Gambhir, Chopra and Virender Sehwag. But that whole remarkable coincidence may now never happen anyway, since if this can't get Chopra into the side, nothing will.

Then there is the strange saga of Yuvraj Singh. Vengsarkar, one impatient day, said Yuvi had himself to blame for not being able to cement his place in the Test side after eight years. So the selectors decide lump in some more adhesives, and stick him to the squad again. An average of 4.25 (even RP Singh did better) is not reason enough to keep him out. As in Chopra's case, if this doesn't get him out of the Test team, nothing will.

Harbhajan Singh was declared fit, but will undergo a fitness test with Dhoni. Now that makes sense. Exactly how Bhajji, who has made more headlines than the nuclear deal, was declared fit we don't know, especially since he was not present for the fitness test. But if Yuvi can play, so can Bhajji, since he looks fitter than Yuvi anyway.

The rest would not dazzle your imagination. Sreesanth, RP Singh and Irfan Pathan will have to fight it out for two spots in the batting line-up, while the other two will be spinners, skipper Anil Kumble and Harbhajan, unless the skies fall.

One more thing begs an answer. If we cannot get a side for all three Tests in a home series, when can we get one? It’s a situation of faith in the players, but not that much faith.

That applies to the BCCI as well. The more things change, the more they remain the same.

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