Finding a replacement for MS Dhoni in limited-overs-cricket among the top objectives for new selection panel
The new selection panel, headed by former India wicket-keeper MSK Prasad, will have several objectives to achieve in their tenure as senior selectors of the country. But among the top priorities for them during their time as the five wise men will be to find a replacement for Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who now plays just the limited-overs format of the game after having retired from Test cricket.
It is a question for which the best in the game have found it hard to get answers to and what has not helped India’s cause is that there have few in India who have given a reason to feel optimistic about doing the job as well as Dhoni has done, over the years.
Former member of the selection committee Saba Karim, who was a keeper himself during the 90’s, felt that for the time being Dhoni was doing a good job, adding that fitness wise, he as up there and felt that the new batch of selectors needed to have a vision.
"I don't know why and how this perception has come up that Dhoni can't be a part of the team if he doesn't have his captaincy. His fitness levels have certainly gone up. However, it's up to the present selectors now to decide if they want him in their scheme of things looking at the World Cup in 2019. The current selectors need to have a vision," Karim told Cricbuzz.
Karim admitted that the major reason for India not finding a quality man to replace Dhoni in coloured clothing is a lack in resources for the trait in the country. He added that KL Rahul had the potential, but was still a work in progress, as far as his glovework is concerned.
"There is a problem with the resources, especially in wicketkeeping Wriddhiman Saha is just growing into his job in Tests. But in limited-overs, Rahul looks good to don the gloves. His glovework has potential but a lot of work has to be done with wicketkeepers. At the moment, Dhoni is doing pretty well," he added.
Karim does have a point when he speaks about the lack of resources in India. While Saha could be an option in limited-over as well, Rahul could make a strong case for himself if he as another good season with the gloves in hand. Sanju Samson is another candidate for the job, provided he gets a bit more consistency with both bat and gloves in hand.
Another option is to go back to the likes of Dinesh Karthik and Parthiv Patel, but will they go back to tried-and-tested personnel is the million-dollar question.
For now, however, Dhoni is India's best option is limited-overs cricket, but for how long is a question that will need an answer soon.