Mediocrity engulfs even the keeper's slot

For years the Indian team has boasted of some illustrious names behind the stumps. But since the last World Cup, it looks like even the keepers' spot is being subjected to mediocrity. Going by what has happened over the last few months, it would appear that the stumpers' position is no longer as secure as it has been in the past.

The problem started during the World Cup when Rahul Dravid kept wickets in the absence of the injured Mongia. The Indian selectors have at times acquired this dangerous habit of not making any provision for a reserve wicketkeeper. Not yet recovered, Mongia, who has been a mainstay in the Indian team through the 90's, had to make way for MSK Prasad during the New Zealand tour of India last November. After the whitewash in the Test series in Australia, Prasad was promptly dropped since he was found wanting in his batting as well as keeping skills. Sameer Dighe replaced Prasad for the Carlton and United one-day series.

But even Dighe is yet to make his mark after playing in 9 one-day matches. However the start of the India-South Africa Tests saw Mongia forcing his way back into contention. But Mongia once again was sidelined for fitness reasons and Dighe found has found himself back in the reckoning for the on-going one day series.

From the World Cup to the South African tour, India have played only eight Tests and 28 one-dayers but have fielded three different keepers in Mongia, Prasad and Dighe. Mongia, even if fit, cannot be expected to last much longer and thus the need for a good replacement has become imperative.

But the second string of stumpers in the country have so far been showing nothing but incompetence when it comes to keeping at the highest level. There seems to be no inclination on their part to make their places secure, particularly now when there is an obvious vacancy. For long, right from Engineer to Kirmani to More to Mongia there was never any problem for the wicketkeeper's slot in the Indian team. It is unfortunate that this one place which presented no problems has come under a cloud of uncertainty owing to the fact that the mediocrity, which has percolated into the Indian ranks, seems to have affected even the keeper's slot.