Sachin Tendulkar’s protracted stay at the crease, with a miniscule contribution in the current series against England, is one factor that the BCCI will have to resolve.
His 22-year stint as a Test player is showing obvious signs of wear and tear, and his selection means the denial of a new cap that could be drafted into the side.
Rahul Dravid’s timely retirement meant that the Board was able to push through a new number three — one that has produced one of the finest. “one-down” player, notching up several hundreds — with a stupendous average of 80-plus.
The maestro’s departure can also provide a berth for a new player, in a country bursting with raw talent, just waiting for induction.
The BCCI, which made a wise decision lately, not to name the current series after a former captain, having already feted him in the UK series, once again needs to use pragmatism in “dislodging” Sachin from the crease.
AR Modak, by email