It was a pity that that Gautam Gambhir who is such terrific form could not play in the 4th and final cricket Test against Australia at Nagpur. He has been India’s leading run getter in the series scoring 463 runs at an average of 77. Yet, I am delighted at the bold move taken by the Indian selectors to draft in the obviously talented but relatively untested M. Vijay into the Test team. It speaks of a very positive outlook where they are willing to take a few risks in backing talent.
Tamilnadu batsman, M.Vijay is 24 and is full of beans following his highest score of 243 recently when he got the call to rush to Nagpur to join the Test squad. He seems to be a bright prospect in the tradition of attacking batsmen from Tamilnadu.
He hadn’t met many of the Test players before nor had he ever batted alongside, Virender Sehwag- who I am sure he would admired from afar. Showing a cool temperament in your debut Test is a positve -more so if it comes against opponents as tough as the Aussies. Vijay may not have scored a 50 on debut but his 33 off 53 balls helped him put on 98 for the opening partnership with Sehwag – who did most of the scoring. Vijay displayed an unruffled temperament, quick running between the wickets and a sound technique. The boy clearly has high potential.
I am glad the selectors are thinking positively. Likewise, skipper Dhoni took the positive step of playing Vijay in his chosen spot as an opener. Unlike in the past when we have seen specialist openers not backed adequately and made to bat much lower down the order.
Cricket selectors like business leaders must have the guts to identify and back talent. Vijay’s selection is a positive step in that direction.
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This is Post No: 338 of the “A Step A Day” series : To provide perspective and provoke thought to facilitate self-development across a wide spectrum of issues- big and small- crucial for executive success.
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