Kaif & Gavaskar script a dud for Team India

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal"><script language="javascript">var server = '203.197.64.235'; var sitepage = "www.timesofindia.com/india/index.html"; var position ="Bottom1"; if (! 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The former has never really cemented a place and the latter was struggling to live up to the magic he created in England years ago.<br /><br />Gavaskar had to prove that his controversial selection was based on merit and for this he needed a match-winning innings. His efforts were laudable early on as he persevered with his footwork, played every ball on merit and did not chance his arm. <br /><br />But the pressure of the asking rate was too much for Rohan to handle and he threw it all away by going in for a needless shot to be caught by Paul Collingwood in the square for 20. <br /><br />Mohammad Kaif, on the other hand, needed to show that his continued selection in the face of great opposition was the right decision by the selectors. And he had to justify his skipper Sourav Ganguly''s faith in his abilities to win matches for India. After all India had become champs last time in the NatWest series due to the great Kaif batting in 2003. But he has done nothing of note since then.<br /><br /></div> </div><div class="section2"><div class="Normal"><br />Kaif began a bit tentatively in a situation tailor-made for him. The top order had gone and he had all the time in the world to play himself in. He did that and then opened up the scoring rate with some good strokes and even better running between the wickets. <br /><br />His determination and concentration lasted long enough to bring up his fifty. But then, what does he go and do? Instead of hunkering down for a long stay at the wicket, he plays an atrocious shot to a Stephen Harmison delivery to be caught behind. A shoulder high delivery he sought to play from the crease without moving his feet and his bat somewhere near his helmet. The shot would have looked ugly even if played by a tail-ender.<br /><br />It seems he kept his concentration just long enough to ensure that his place in the side became secure for the near future. But he was definitely not batting for the interest of his side by playing such a loose shot against one of the most improved bowlers in world cricket.<br /><br />The situation is reminiscent of the Sri Lanka and India ODI at the Asia Cup when Sanath Jayasuriya was going great guns till he played a rank bad shot and was out. The Lankan team folded to defeat in quick time after that. The end-result was that though Sanath scored many runs in the match yet his terrible shot led to a loss. Many calls by former Sri Lankan cricketers were made castigating him for his recklessness. Some even called for his place in the side to be scrapped.<br /><br />So, where do both Gavaskar and Kaif go from here. Needless to say they will get selected for the next match, barring a more active role by the selectors or the captain. However continuing with the <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">status quo </span>will not really be conducive to winning tournaments. Not with the presence of tyros like Dinesh Karthick in the squad who are raring to go. <br /><br /></div> </div>