'Fresh squad is bad idea'

Someone has wound back the clock in years just a few days ago. In a way that cricket of its best times has begun to reflect on almost every cricketing mind on this planet. That’s what the beauty of the game and the ability of that man Sachin Tendulkar – the best we’ve seen to wield a bat.

Let me tell you that no one will doubt that his double-hundred show of his against South Africa in the Gwalior ODI was one of the finest innings. It was indeed the finest that I’ve seen from Sachin in terms of execution. He has shown all that even at his age he still has the same drive, loads of enviable stamina and a cool and mentally tough head on those powerful shoulders.

It is several years of perseverance, unflinching devotion and unmatchable commitment that has made Sachin what he is today. What a role model he has been for all of us. Not just in sport but in life too. I feel that he’s now playing his best cricket when it is the twilight of his career. Mind you, this twilight is going to last longer than we may imagine.

With the series now moving to Ahmedabad it’s also nice to note that the Little Maestro has chosen to rest, deservingly so. Unfortunately, for the Motera lovers there won’t be Virender Sehwag either. So suddenly, it will be a much more youthful side that will take to the field, which I must say is pretty strange. While you may want to blood youngsters, it also cannot be that they have no one to follow or to guide them. A healthy mix of experience and youth is the best way.

To see so many youngsters batting at one time is a strange decision on the part of the selectors. It is important to give opportunities but I don’t believe it is right to put a totally fresh squad because you may not achieve anything. However, I hope India win the match and sweep the Micromax Mobile Cup series 3-0.

Looking at the positives from the previous match, it was nice to see Dinesh Karthik play a well-measured innings and be an able company to Sachin. What Karthik has gained in terms of learning and experience is surely worth a lifetime. May he make the best use of it both on and off the field.

Skipper MS Dhoni was also in the elements of his old self and I’m sure he’ll want his young marshals to deliver the goods once again in absence of the mega stars.