Dravid says onus on players to keep the game clean

Rahul Dravid has called on cricketers to give up "a little bit of freedom of movement and privacy" if it helps keep the game free of corruption. Speaking at the Sir Donald Bradman Oration in Canberra, Dravid said players should treat the inconveniences of dope tests, the possible scrutiny of finances, or even lie-detector tests as necessary measures to keep the sport clean.

"Cricket's financial success means it will face threats from outside the game and keep facing them. The last two decades have proved this over and over again," Dravid said. "The internet and modern technology may just end up being a step ahead of every anti-corruption regulation in place in the game.

"As players, the one way we can stay ahead for the game is if we are willing to be monitored and regulated closely. Even if it means giving up a little bit of freedom of movement and privacy. If it means undergoing dope tests, let us never say no.

"If it means undergoing lie-detector tests, let us understand the technology, what purpose it serves and accept it. Lie-detectors are by no means perfect but they could actually help the innocent clear their names. Similarly, we should not object to having our finances scrutinised, if that is what is required."

The radical idea of lie-detector tests was first mooted by the MCC to strengthen anti-corruption measures. The proposal was backed by former Australia captain Steve Waugh, who took a lie-detector test himself, and England captain Andrew Strauss also said he would be willing to undergo such an examination. The Federation of International Cricketers' Associations (FICA), however, was opposed to the idea and its chief executive Tim May said lie-detector tests were "far from foolproof".

Dravid, the first foreign player to deliver the Bradman oration, said that players needed to sacrifice a bit of personal comfort for the good of the game. His comments came at the end of a year during which three Pakistan players - Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir - were found guilty of spot-fixing during the tour of England in 2010. They were sentenced to jail terms after a trial at Southwark Crown Court.

"When the first anti-corruption measures were put into place, we did moan a little bit about being accredited and depositing our cell phones with the manager. But now we must treat it like we do airport security because we know it is for our own good and our own security," Dravid said. "Players should be ready to give up a little personal space and personal comfort for this game, which has given us so much. If you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear."

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Harbhajan Singh recovers stolen documents

Harbhajan Singh, the India offspinner, has recovered a part of his valuables which were stolen from his car on the Punjab-Delhi highway. Haryana Police on Tuesday found his bag, lying in an abandoned area, which contained his passport and other documents, including credit cards. However, cash to the tune of Rs 9500 is still missing.

Harbhajan registered the theft at the local police station, after his parked car was broken into outside a coffee shop.

"It took us only three minutes to go to Cafe Coffee Day and bring coffee back to our car. But when we reached, we were shocked to find that our car glass had been cut and our important belongings were not to be found," Harbhajan told The Indian Express.

He was recently ruled out of Punjab's Ranji Trophy campaign after a long-standing shin injury in his left leg resurfaced. Harbhajan, who was leading Punjab, was using the Ranji matches to try and make a comeback to the Indian team. He had returned home early during the tour of England because of an abdomen injury and was then left out of the home series against England and West Indies. Harbhajan was also not selected in the Test squad for the upcoming tour of Australia.

Kumble quits as NCA chief

Anil Kumble, the former India captain, has resigned as chairman of the National Cricket Academy (NCA) over what he says was a lack of "alignment" between his vision for the NCA and the rest of the committee's.

An official statement from the BCCI for the reasons for Kumble's decision is awaited. He is tipped to be replaced, at least on an interim basis, by MP Pandove, the chairman of the BCCI's specialised academies committee and a member of the IPL governing council.

"I had a three-year vision, a holistic approach for the NCA that was not in alignment with that of the rest of the committee," Kumble told ESPNcricinfo. "It didn't make sense to me to just be a figurehead in this kind of a situation. So I thought it was better that somebody else take over." In his role as chairman, Kumble told PTI, he had made 10 presentations to the committee about his vision for the NCA.

        The NCA committee, as listed on website, is made up of 14 members including Kumble. The other committee members are BCCI president N Srinivasan, joint secretaries Sanjay Jagdale and Anurag Thakur, treasurer Ajay Shirke, chief-administrative officer Ratnakar Shetty, vice-chairman Ranjib Biswal, NCA Board members Anirudh Chaudhry, TC Mathew, Rakesh Parikh, Bikash Baruah and Gyanendra Pandey, director, NCA cricket operations Sandeep Patil and administration manager AK Jha.

Kumble is president of the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) and chief mentor of the Royal Challengers Bangalore IPL team. The post of NCA chairman, an honorary post, was Kumble's first official BCCI position since being elected KSCA president last year. He denied that his decision to quit a day after an NCA meeting in Chennai was due to arguments in Monday's BCCI working committee meeting over apparent conflict of interest issues concerning him. Board rules require that any resignation must be tabled before a working committee.

Two months ago, controversy arose over Kumble's co-ownership of a talent management firm called Tenvic that has on its books several young players including R Vinay Kumar and S Aravind, both of whom have been part of recent India squads and also play for the Royal Challengers. Tenvic - named after Kumble's ten-wicket haul against Pakistan in 1999 - looks after the commercial interests of the players but Kumble has consistently denied any conflict of interest between his administrative and mentoring roles.

He said at the time that "less than 2%" of Tenvic's business was related to "mentoring cricketers", and that too without any commercial benefit

Ganguly back in Bengal Ranji squad

Sourav Ganguly has made himself available for selection for Bengal's entire domestic season in 2011-12, according to Bengal selection committee chairman Deep Dasgupta.

"It shows how motivated Ganguly is to play this season. He trains regularly to keep himself in shape and will be available for the entire Ranji Trophy, one-day and T20 tournaments," Dasgupta told PTI. "His presence in the dressing room itself will be a big inspiration for the youngsters."

However, Ganguly's other career - as a television commentator - may prevent him from playing the full season. ESPNcricinfo understands that Ganguly will be in Australia from early December to cover India's tour, which ends on March 8. The Test leg of the tour, though, finishes on January 28.

Ganguly, 39, had retired from international cricket in November 2008 after which he was primarily involved in the Indian Premier League. He played only two Ranji Trophy matches for Bengal in the 2010-11 season, scoring 13 and 7.

The 16-man squad for Bengal's first two Ranji Trophy Super League matches, against Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, will be led by Manoj Tiwary, with wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha as vice-captain.

Squad: Manoj Tiwary (capt), Wriddhiman Saha (vc & wk), Sourav Ganguly, Laxmi Ratan Shukla, Arindam Das, Rohan Banerjee, Abhishek Jhunjhunwala, Arindam Ghosh, Partha Sarathi Bhattacharjee, Ranadeb Bose, Ashok Dinda, Mohammad Sami Ahmed, Saurashish Lahiri, Iresh Saxena, Writam Porel, Anirban Gupta.

Dhoni may be rested for Tests against West Indies

To play MS Dhoni or bench him? That will be one of the biggest questions facing the India selectors tomorrow evening when they meet in Kolkata to pick the squad for the first Test against West Indies. The other big question is likely to concern Harbhajan Singh, who was dropped from the five-match one-day series against England at home, which India won by an emphatic 5-0 scoreline.

Logic would suggest that Dhoni, the India captain, be rested. He has been walking wounded, having had sore fingers since the disastrous England tour during which India failed to win a single game. While as many as ten of his team-mates fell by the wayside due to various injuries, Dhoni took the beating across the four Tests, the solitary Twenty20 match and the five ODIs. Despite his grit and steadfastness, Dhoni's wicketkeeping was affected as the tour wore on. The selectors will consider that, with an important tour of Australia scheduled straight after the home series against West Indies.

It is understood that Dhoni has not asked for a break but the majority of the five-man selection panel are in favour of resting him for the three-match Test series against West Indies, which starts in Delhi from November 6. "Quite a few of the selectors empathise with him [Dhoni]. They want to rest him as they know he is exhausted," a BCCI official said.

If Dhoni is rested, Virender Sehwag, who returned to competitive cricket during the group stages of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, India's domestic Twenty20 competition, is likely to lead the side. Sehwag, who had joined the India squad in England halfway through the Test series after undergoing shoulder surgery, was forced to return having failed to recuperate completely.

In the past, Sehwag has led India in three Tests: in Ahmedabad against Sri Lanka (2005), in Napier against New Zealand (2009), and then against Bangladesh in Chittagong (2010).

It is not just the question of whether to rest Dhoni that will make this one of the most interesting selection meetings in the recent past. Harbhajan has apparently fallen out of favour with the selectors, after taking just two wickets in two Tests in England and 11 over three in the West Indies before that. R Ashwin was handed the responsibility of leading the spin attack in the home ODIs against England and impressed with 10 wickets at an average of 20.20, leaving the selectors split. An abdomen strain ruled Harbhajan out of the latter half of the England tour but he bounced back by leading Mumbai Indians to the Champions League Twenty20 title in the absence of the injured Sachin Tendulkar. "It is a difficult one for sure. Ashwin has been performing consistently," the BCCI official said.

Apart from Sehwag, the other players who have recovered from the injuries they sustained in England are Gautam Gambhir (concussion), Sachin Tendulkar (inflamed toe), Yuvraj Singh (broken finger) and Ishant Sharma (ankle injury).

Zaheer Khan, India's spearhead, is still recuperating after undergoing surgery on his ankle. Praveen Kumar, who led the attack manfully in England, is likely to be joined by Sreesanth and Ishant in the fast-bowling department. Pragyan Ojha could pip Amit Mishra for the second spinner's spot. In other duels, Wriddhiman Saha could be the second-choice wicketkeeper ahead of Parthiv Patel, who did not do himself any favours during the recent home ODI series.

One man who did tilt the scales in his favour is Virat Kohli, the highest run-getter in the home ODI series against England. If Kohli is selected it will leave Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina in a fight for the last batsman's spot. Cheteshwar Pujara, who picked up a knee injury during this year's IPL, has said he is close to match-fit again, but is targeting the Australia series for a comeback to the India squad.

Squad (probable): MS Dhoni (capt/wk), Virender Sehwag (vice-captain), Gautam Gambhir, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh/Suresh Raina, Wriddhiman Saha/Parthiv Patel, Harbhajan Singh/R Ashwin, Pragyan Ojha, Praveen Kumar, Ishant Sharma, Sreesanth

India and Pakistan: Survival of the fittest

In a week famous for sixty-fourth anniversaries, India and Pakistan might wish to reflect on the fruits of those intervening years of toil on the cricket field. When midnight’s chimes created two nations in 1947 greater concerns about the division of land, people, infrastructure, and wealth preoccupied people’s minds than partition of cricketing abilities.
Today, India stride the upper echelons of cricket both in running the game and performing on the field, despite this summer’s disappointing effort. Pakistan, meanwhile, are struggling to avoid outcast status and soon will do battle with Zimbabwe at the foot of the international table. These might turn out to be transitory positions but at the moment there is a hint of permanency about them.
The 1947 distribution of cricketing talents has given rise to broad generalisations, which have to some degree held true. Pakistan has been blessed with fast bowlers of world class, from Fazal Mahmood, through Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, and Waqar Younis, to the cursed pair of Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Amir. Even now, Pakistan’s young breed of Wahab Riaz and Junaid Khan are offering hope that the line will continue.
India’s pacemen have been more sporadic and less dominant. Kapil Dev, Javagal Srinath, and Zaheer Khan have fought lone battles. Hypotheses for this disparity have been many: genetic differences, climate, even diet. None are satisfactory or barely plausible. Is there much difference between Delhi and Lahore? The migrations at partition will have made the region more homogenous not less.
Indeed, Pakistan’s fast bowlers weren’t especially formidable before Imran Khan, who was greatly influenced and motivated by the speed sensations he encountered during World Series Cricket, the formidable Australian and West Indian pacemen of his era. They were Imran’s role models, driving him to higher speeds and achievement. In turn, Imran was the inspiration of the many Pakistani fast bowlers who followed, and soon he was joined by Wasim and Waqar who created their own legacies and legends.
This role-model theory helps explain the different routes taken by cricketers of both nations. India has a regal history in batsmanship, from the masters of bygone days through Sunil Gavaskar, Dilip Vengsarkar, and Mohammad Azharuddin to today’s holy trinity of Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, and Sachin Tendulkar. These batting riches are beyond the dreams of Pakistanis who have had to be satisfied with a disintegrating line of Hanif Mohommad, Zaheer Abbas, Javed Miandad, Inzamam-ul Haq, and Mohammad Yousuf, a heritage which ends in nothingness.
While bowling is a natural skill that tolerates imitation, batting is more technical and it is not possible to simply rely on following your hero’s example. Success in batting requires advanced technique and a cricketing infrastructure to support the maturation of batsmen. A supportive infrastructure is dependent on the cricket board creating a stable environment for its players. It is here that the failings of Pakistan’s successive cricket boards have had the most damaging effect, and the explanation why batting has become a lost art in Pakistan cricket while fast bowlers emerge unhindered.
The success of Indian cricket as an enterprise offers it an opportunity to overcome weaknesses in fast bowling if it chooses to invest in the development of wicket-taking Test fast bowlers rather than breeding run-stoppers for the Indian Premier League. As unlikely as that prospect might be, notwithstanding the way India’s bowling has been exposed on this tour of England, the plight of Pakistan’s batsmen appears far bleaker.
Yet the joyous celebrations that marked Pakistan’s Independence Day were a reminder that hope can remain strong even in the face of near calamity. Indeed, the best international performance by a South Asian this summer has come from Pakistan’s Asad Rauf. Both Rauf and Aleem Dar have shown that excellence is achievable whatever the circumstances. Admittedly, ICC’s governance of the elite panel has helped nurture them away from the clutches of the Pakistan Cricket Board. Rauf and Dar have helped banish the ill-repute of Pakistani umpires, a reputation that was well earned, as it was too by umpires of the cricketing powers of Australia, England, and India.
So, 64 years has brought us fearsome fast bowlers from Pakistan and wizardly batsmen from India. It has brought us innovative spin bowlers and disastrous fielders from both nations. But it has left us with serious challenges. What can Pakistan cricket, and its batsmen specifically, do to flourish again? Is survival even possible? What can India do to remedy its weakness in fast bowling, and what on earth has happened to Indian umpires? Do they still exist?
Perhaps we are witnessing another fine example of Darwinian thinking? Indian batsmen and Pakistani fast bowlers, Indian administrators and Pakistani umpires, this is survival of the fittest.

Sunil Joshi appointed Hyderabad coach

Sunil Joshi, the former India spinner, has been appointed the new head coach of Hyderabad, ending his 19-year domestic career. Joshi played in last year's Ranji Trophy semi-final, which Karnataka lost to Baroda, but said he is ready for the next phase in his career.

"I have been in talks with the Hyderabad Cricket Association for a while and they offered me the coach's position," Joshi told the Hindu. It fits in well with my career and I am ready for this transition. I am qualified and have done my Level II and III courses at the National Cricket Academy and have also gained the Level II certificate from the England and Wales Cricket Board."

Hyderabad had a poor Ranji Trophy season last year. They were bowled out for 21 in their opening game of the season, when Rajasthan's Deepak Chahar took 8 for 10 on debut, a result that saw several heads roll. They recovered somewhat from that point to finish fourth in their group, above Jharkhand and Tripura, and Joshi said he hopes he can "help the team improve its performance and qualify for the Elite section next year".

The 41-year-old Joshi took 41 wickets in 15 Tests and 69 wickets in 69 ODIs for India. The highlight of his international career was a remarkable spell of 10-6-6-5 in a one-dayer against South Africa. He was an integral part of the Karnataka state team since the 1992-93 season, having taken 615 first-class wickets at an average of 25.12 and a strike-rate of 62.1.

In the long run, Joshi said he would live to give back to Karnataka cricket. "I would love to nurture spinners at the State academy and also help Karnataka in whatever role is possible.