I received quite a few mails and a couple in comment box about letting Piyush Chawla be.

He is too young to be given the mantle of representing India.

Sometimes, you get a rare talent, a rare young fella you just feel you need to take a chance with. We did with Sachin and reaped rich rewards and there are many instances when player made their debut when very young and went on to become greats.

The Mohammad brother both Hanif and Mushtaq come to mind. Our own BS Chandershekar was I think 18 when he made his debut. Although there are those that fail to live up to the promise, like L Sivaramakrishna, there are many to prove the selectors right.

When a player is at the top of his game, specially young ones, it is better to give them a chance and keep their spirits up. There are always ways to keep them motivated and keep them from going astray.

When playing England in India there might not come the opportunity. Harbhajan will by then be back to full fitness and we might need anyone else either.

All said and done, Murali Karthik given precedence over Chawla seems a shame. But then Murali over anyone is a shame.