Instead, Piyush Chawla will probably have to sit at home because in an unfortunate announcement, the BCCI has announced that Indian players cannot play for county sides in England that have ICL players on their staff. I wonder if I am the only person who is wondering if there is a new apartheid in world cricket. I can go so far as to understand one body not picking players who have played for another set-up. But not to take the field in the company of those that have played the ICL, in a third country, seems cruel and unfair. Even at the height of South Africa’s isolation, Bishan Bedi bowled to Barry Richards in county cricket, Sunil Gavaskar batted with Graeme Pollock in a world eleven and nobody raised a hue and cry over it.

I think we need to be a little more generous. A little more understanding. It will help Indian cricket if VVS Laxman gets some more good cricket under his belt before Australia come to India; for Piyush Chawla to bowl a lot more overs and experiment and bowl more leg breaks. For just as Zaheer Khan benefitted from a lot of bowling, so too could young Chawla who needs to grow quickly since Anil Kumble doesn’t have a lot of time left. I think we have missed an opportunity.

Terrific combination

Zaheer, indeed, is the player to watch out for in Sri Lanka. He has spent far too much time off the field in his career but he gives the impression of having come to terms with it and by not rushing back, he is giving himself the best possible chance of success in the time that he has. In England last year, he played a huge role in India’s first series win there for years (under Rahul Dravid, it is often forgotten!) and I believe by using him wisely, we will get a lot more out of him. Luckily there are people to fill his slot. Ishant Sharma and Sreesanth in form, for example, would make a terrific combination.

... contd.