VVS and the Two P’s

VVS is gone. And as much as we liked him in full flow, as much we knew he was the magician with a bat, we also could sense that his time had come. He was living the past season on borrowed time, he was a shadow of player he had been.

There is a little ruthlessness to the words: And as a lover of the cricket team and the sport, I believe that Team India is not a place for placating egos and helping fading careers. Strategically keeping a player who you believe is not past his prime is a different matter. But for a while we have seen Laxman struggle. There is a Kaif waiting, there are Venugopals and Rainas.

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Have we found the equivalent of the two W’s in the Two P’s? Pathan and Patel should compliment each other. One a fast bowler who likes to crush toes and doesn’t seem to mind going for the helmet now and then. The other swings.

Pathan though needs a little time to think over his bowling. It is not as accurate as one would have hoped. But I daresay he is better than going back to Zaheer and Agarkar.

And by the way, are the days of falling back on Agarkar over? I hope so.