Indian cricket needs to have a meaningful exit policy

"At Manchester United, when Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo arrived, Ruud van Nistelroy was bid goodbye and Ryan Giggs was found more often on the bench than in the field. When young players realise they are getting an opportunity because of a stringent exit policy, they also know that they can’t linger when their time comes" - Harsha Bhogle, in his book 'The Winning Way’.

The success of youngster Virat Kohli against the backdrop of the failing seniors, presents a strong case to infuse young blood in the Indian team © Getty Images

By Karthik Parimal

“At Manchester United, when Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo arrived, Ruud van Nistelroy was bid goodbye and Ryan Giggs was found more often on the bench than in the field. When young players realise they are getting an opportunity because of a stringent exit policy, they also know that they can’t linger when their time comes” – Harsha Bhogle, in his book‘The Winning Way’.

The above quote underlines the importance of a strict exit policy. Having such a rigorous policy will ensure that players will not be able to bask on their past glory or take their places for granted. Considering the emotional attachment to the ‘Big Three’, the process to replace them isn’t easy. Nevertheless, this painful step will have to be taken with the future of Indian cricket in mind.

Anil Kumble and Javagal Srinath too could have gone on to perform for a year or more if they wished to, but they chose the right time to pass on the baton. Australia too remained unbeatable a few years ago because their players were challenged at all times, and even the stalwarts in their side were aware of the fact that they’d perish if they didn’t perform.

It is unfair to the youngsters if they are made to stay on the bench for too long despite consistent performances on the domestic circuit. The likes of Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane and Rohit Sharma have been waiting to prove a point on the international stage since quite some time. They deserve a decent run. If India has to lose it makes sense to lose with players who have a future than players whose best is far behind them.

Virat Kohli can be taken as a prime example of this. He was under a lot of pressure to perform before the start of the Perth Test. But genuine talent eventually succeeds. Although he scored just 44, his knock underlined patience and persistence. He was the top scorer for India. Unfortunately, Kohli’s inexperience resulted in him throwing his wicket. Nevertheless, he is bound to get better.

Rohit Sharma, too, is one such player who possesses immense talent. Many expected Rohit to replace either Kohli or Laxman for the Perth Test. However, that did not happen. It was going to be a mountainous task for him to try and steer India out of troubled waters in his very first Test had he been selected, notwithstanding the fact that India was already trailing 0-2 in the series. There is no doubt that Rohit’s water-tight technique and experience at the domestic level could have added value and stability to this Indian batting line-up, but sadly, there was no place for him in this side despite being in top form before coming into this series.

Rahane and Abhinav Mukund too have not been given a decent run. Players of such calibre must be given more opportunities if they have to find a foothold in this form of the game. Unlike most of the other Indian batsmen, Rahane has proved that he is an excellent player of short-pitched deliveries. And pacy wicket and against qualitative fast bowlers, its batsmen like Rahane who are likely to come good.

It is important that the ‘Big Three’ are phased out gradually and not around the same time. This will also ensure that at least one stalwart is present who could guide the youngsters drafted into the side. The head honchos of Indian cricket need to realise the importance of getting back that winning-cycle. One positive step towards attaining that cycle will be to infuse young blood in the side and groom them from the very next series.

(If cricket is a religion and has many devotees, Karthik Parimal would be a primary worshipper. This 23 year old graduate student, pursuing his Masters in Engineering, could be an appropriate example of how the layers of what inspires, motivates and keeps one happy run deeply in our daily lives. He, unlike others, is not too disappointed about not making it big by playing for the country, but believes that he plays the sport every day with his heart by watching and writing on it)

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