I can’t figure out if there is a Test match starting in five days or if the IPL is beginning on twenty eight. Both are of course true and both have a role in the dramatically changing landscape of world cricket. The first represents an opportunity to Indian fans to cheer India again; after the bitter us-and-them series against Australia. The second is a big test on whether a fan can indeed support two teams with the same passion.

India have picked a good side, pretty close to the best available and I am particularly happy that the selectors have gone with Wasim Jaffer in spite of his misfortune in Australia. In the conditions that the Test series will be played in, he has been prolific and deserves another go. And it is nice too that Gautam Gambhir and Akash Chopra are tapping him on the shoulder. Competition is good and let us enjoy it because there is none in the middle order.

You would have thought that by now there would be a serious challenger to Dravid, Tendulkar, Laxman and Ganguly. It seems, from time to time, that Yuvraj Singh will be that man for don’t forget his last match in these conditions produced a mighty century in a difficult situation. And yet, I am disappointed at his inclusion because my eye, untrained as it might be, suggested that he was nowhere near being fully fit in Australia. When he is fit, he is a joy to behold, lurking like a panther at point, challenging every ball to come towards him and, if possible, to pass him. In Australia, his likeness stood at mid-on. It was like watching that Dev Anand look-alike; the similarity was as distant. But the physios have given him a clean chit so hopefully I am wrong; hopefully he will stride out in Chennai when the occasion demands.

... contd.