Who's next?

From Sreekar Tanuku, India
Captain of India in its worst ever World Cup performance, controversy leading to his resignation as captain (after leading India to its first series win on English soil after more than 25 years), flak for being the leader of a non-performing city based 20-20 side (despite being the only performer), struggling for his best form in Test matches, then made to open in Australia when he is desperately out of form to accommodate Yuvraj (when the ideal thing would have been to allow him to bat at 6), an average of about 25 in SL series, just 2 hundreds in over 2 years (one against a lowly Bangladesh) , averaging 32 in last 2 years, career batting average dropping from a Bradmanesque 59.38 (best in the world then) two years back to a mere 53.3 now, an average of 23 in the ongoing series, and now being out of Top 20 test batsmen for the first time in 11 years, Can anything go this disastrously wrong for any player?

Well, it can, as it is proven here. And so who's next to quit? Rather, who next for the media to target? Well, this is not even a 1 dollar question and the answer is obvious. 'The Wall' cracking brick by brick, 'The Wall' crumbling, feeling the pinch, the only one of Fab 4 who has not fired, and so on. A lot is written about him, a lot is being discussed about him, and I am pretty sure a LOT is going through his mind. Otherwise, you don't see him miss a straight ball and get castled (2nd innings, Delhi).

As experts say, it is tough to score when you're not in a relaxed frame of mind. So, will he be back in runs in a new stadium, a new pitch, and significantly in his wife's city where he averages 65+? I don't know. But, all I can say is he is one big innings away from finding his touch. When I say 'BIG', I mean a 100+ score.

The upcoming Nagpur test will be remembered for events like Dada's last test, Laxman's 100th test, Dhoni's first as official captain, India regaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Harbhajan's 300th test wicket (on 299 now), the Fab Four playing together for one last time and Kumble being with the team for the last time (maybe to lift the trophy). But, this could also be a last for the man I am talking about it. Will he call it quits if he fails twice in the next test? Should he? Does he still have something to offer to Indian cricket?