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Indians play collapso cricket

Gyanendra Pandey got to make his international debut, for India, at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium, in Jaipur, against Pakistan today.

A good thing that, giving a member of the World Cup shortlist an outing, and thereby giving the selectors and the team a chance to see how the Uttar Pradesh all-rounder fit in to the matrix.

But using the same logic, Sadagopan Ramesh continued to sit on the bench, while Ajay Jadeja retained his opener slot. The selectors and team management, thus appeared to abdicate yet another opportunity to blood the in-form opener, and try out an available option ahead of the deadline for the final selection of the World Cup team.

But then, perhaps if one stops thinking from a purely cricketing standpoint and thinks -- as Jagmohan Dalmiya and his ilk do -- from a marketing perspective, it all makes sense.

The equation is simple: Ever since 1996, the two Cola companies have pumped big money into the BCCI coffers. The board for its part has treated them like milch cows, hosting tournament after ODI tournament in order to keep the money flowing.

It is Pepsi that is sponsoring this tournament. And Pepsi's three stars are Ajit Agarkar, Mohammad Azharuddin, and Ajay Jadeja. So think about this: if you were the sponsor for a tournament as expensive as this, would you want your stars warming the bench? Or would you tip the board the wink, and ask that in return for all the millions, your stars are out there on the field?

That is why Agarkar, who after his trials before the national selectors told us that he would like two more weeks of rest before really pushing himself, is out there. Why Azharuddin, who the evening before the first game against Sri Lanka was suffering a sore shoulder, healed miraculously and took the field. And why Ajay Jadeja, who by no stretch of the imagination will find himself opening for India in ODIs (average 16+ in the number two slot, 45+ in the number 5 slot), continues to do the job here, while Sadagopan Ramesh warms the bench -- this, despite the national selectors specifically stating that this tournament is meant to try out the various options and give the fringe members of the 19-member shortlist a decent run, in order that their form and ability can be analysed ahead of the final selection.

When money calls the tune on the Indian cricket stage, sense gets drowned out in the din. Did we ever expect it to be otherwise?

Meanwhile, what signal are we sending Laxmi Ratan Shukla, here? Kept in the squad but not played through the three Tests against Pakistan. Then superseded by Ashish Nehra in Sri Lanka. Used in one game here, where he gets taken for a few, at a time when the Lankan batsmen were on song and the field on the leg was thrown wide open. And now, dropped.

This is the treatment being given to a player who selectors, captain and coach have all, at various times in the recent past, hailed as one of the most promising talents among the younger bunch.

Given this, does the team really deserve to win?

The Pakistan innings -- Openers make merry before spin turns the tide

Scoreboard