What makes an Indian selector tick?

The domestic season getting under way is always a turbulent time for Indian cricket. The volumes of cricket being played in the Ranji Trophy and Ranji One Dayers means that the selectors have to keep a keen eye trained on the cricket. Youngsters aspiring to play for India must first prove themselves at the domestic level.

This year has been an especially interesting case with two senior players not able to find a place in the national side. Former captain Mohammad Azharuddin and Baroda stumper Nayan Mongia suddenly find themselves in the wilderness. Azhar has regained the captaincy of the South Zone team and is consistently making good scores in the Ranji matches played so far. Mongia on the other hand has found it very hard to get the selectors' attention. The exclusion of these two experienced cricketers would have been justified if their replacements were performing well. MSK Prasad has had a lacklustre series against New Zealand both behind the stumps and with the bat. His quality and class at the Test level are being questioned strongly as he embarks on the tour of Australia as India's premier wicketkeeper.

Vijay Bharadwaj who burst upon the scene with a man of the series effort in the LG Cup in Nairobi now seems to have cooled down considerably. Batting at No 6 he has failed every time the pressure was on in the One-Dayers. His fast off breaks have proven to be completely ineffective and do not even curtail the scoring rate. In the longer form of the game, there is really no room for bits and pieces utility players in the Indian team. Bharadwaj's ineptness has shown through even more glaringly in the Test matches. The selectors seem to have decided to give the youngster a bit of a run before they reassess his position.

Another debatable choice is Ajay Jadeja's inclusion in the Test side. Since his inclusion, injury has forced him out of the team. In his place we have Hrishikesh Kanitkar added to the touring party. Kanitkar has not played a Test match to date and he might be expected to make his first appearance in Australia. Given his limited exposure and ability, that might just be too much to ask of the Mumbai player.

Dodda Ganesh who has topped the bowling charts in domestic cricket cannot find a place in the side and yet T Kumaran, who has been less effective than him in domestic cricket is already playing Test cricket for India. Kumaran helped his cause by picking up 10 wickets in the Irani Trophy game that was closely watched by the selectors. In the same breath it was heartbreak time for another cricketer - Sitanshu Kotak. After scoring prolifically and making a superb hundred against a strong Karnataka attack, the Saurashtra southpaw was not even selected to play for India A. Now, the situation has changed. Kanitkar has replaced Jadeja and Kotak has replaced Kanitkar.

The thinking behind this selectoral musical chairs is rather interesting. Surprisingly, players who were not considered good enough a month ago are now in the thick of the action.