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Indian cricket team - If I were the selector

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It has been seen that India fares poorly when they go outside subcontinent. Case in point is the last 4 tours in England, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand (EASN).

If I were a selector, I would really start picking players who have a strong Ranji record and have done well in the India A tours abroad. India also needs to pick players who are mentally strong since many players like Raina, Vijay etc are easily dismissed over and over using their weakness against the short ball or ball that just deviates from the off stump. Rohit Sharma has been given innumerable opportunities and he really ought to be sent to the Ranji for 2 years.

Players like Cheteshwar Pujara, Parthiv Patel, Gautam Gambhir etc who have played some test cricket but more importantly are mentally strong need to be in the side on overseas tours. Pujara really ought to be in the ODI side when India plays overseas as well.

The more dire need is for India to find wicket taking bowlers in the mould of Bhajji, Kumble, Kapil etc.  Ashwin has been shown up in the overseas condition. He is there in the team for bowling, not batting. Ravindra Jadeja is a bits 'n pieces cricketer but his fielding is invaluable and hence is in the team.

In the pace bowling department, except for Shami, I don't see anyone who can take 20 wickets in test matches. Umesh Yadav is bowls short of a length and hasn't developed any specific reverse swing deliveries that can get bats out. As far as Ishant is concerned, less said the better.

The spin department looks bare in Ranji as well. Players like Chawla, Amit Mishra etc haven't panned out.  Having said that, this is the playing XI I would like in any overseas tours:

Gambhir (a mentally strong guy who has done well for India)
Dhawan or KL Rahul (groom Rahul for this slot through India A tours)
Pujara
Kohli
Rahane (needs to be given chances; great talent and fielding)
Kedar Jadhav (need to groom him in the middle order)
Dhoni (needs to go from test cricket by next year - bring in Parthiv or Saha)
Jadeja (If he is not contributing with the bat, bring in Amit Mishra)
Pankaj Singh (guy is a consistent performer in Ranji and is hungry; pick him)
Bhuvi or Umesh (would have liked a wicket taking bowler with pace)
Shami (only genuine wicket taking bowler IMO, even though he goes for runs)


Do give comments as to who you would like in the team.

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