From: 9063iyerm@vms.csd.mu.edu (Murali Iyer)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.cricket
Subject: Re: IMO BEST INDIAN XI  (1970 - 90)
Date: 29 Sep 1992 18:44:14 GMT
Organization: Marquette University - Computer Services
Reply-To: 9063iyerm@vms.csd.mu.edu
NNTP-Posting-Host: vmsd.csd.mu.edu

In article <530@wavefront.wti.com>, ravi@wti.com (Ravi Raj) writes:
>
>      IMO BEST INDIAN XI  (1970 - 1990)
>      ---------------------------------
>
>Here's an Indian team selected on the basis of individual performances
>between 1970 and 1990. All IMHO of course!
>
>     1.  S. M. Gavaskar

      No need to say anything. 

>     2.  Farookh Engineer (wk)

      The two-birds argument notwithstanding, Kirmani was undoubtedly
      a better 'keeper. 
      
>     3.  M. Amarnath

      Yes. A wonderful batsman, whether attacking or defensive.

>     4.  G. R. Vishwanath  (vice-capt)

      Absolutely! 

>     5.  D. B. Vengsarkar

      Another resounding "Yes".

>     6.  M. A. K. Pataudi  (capt)

      Yes, again.

>     7.  Kapil Dev         

      Need anyone say anything?

>     8.  Eknath Solkar

      We could drop Solkar and pick Azhar, opening the batting 
      with Kirmani or the colonel and the bowling with Mohinder 
      and Kapil. After all, we do have the three great spinners.

>     9.  E. A. S. Prasanna

      If I were you, I would not entertain any doubts about who was better.
      And if you have Pat as captain, there is no doubt who he would prefer.

>     10. B. S. Bedi

      Arguably the best left-arm spinner in the world almost throughout his
      career.

>     11. B. S. Chandrasekhar

      Aha! Music to my ears, the spectators' applause as he ran in to bowl.

>
>     12th man: M. Azharuddin

      He must find a place in the team. 
>    
>NOTES
>
> * (1), (4), (7), (10), and (11) pretty much picked themselves.
>
> * I chose Farookh Engineer as the keeper because he also fits
>   in as Gavaskar's partner. Two birds with one stone! 
>   
> * I chose M. Amarnath over Dilip Sardesai, because he is IMO a gutsier
>   player. He can also open the bowling with Kapil Dev before the
>   spinners come along.  
>   
> * I chose D. B. Vengsarkar over Sanjay Manjrekar and Sachin Tendulkar 
>   because of the era considered (1970-90). And a man who played almost
>   twenty years for the country, scored 6,500 odd runs, certainly
>   deserves his dues.
>
> * I chose M.A.K. Pataudi over Azharuddin and Shastri, mainly
>   because I consider him the shrewdest captain India has ever
>   had. And he is not a bad batsman either!  I couldn't make Gavaskar
>   or Kapil Dev or Bedi the captain without antagonizing the other.
>   Pataudi is one player who'd command respect from every other 
>   member of the team.
>   
> * I chose Eknath Solkar just to make the spinners happy. As you can
>   probably tell, they are pretty much the backbone of this team.
>
> * Prasanna over Venkataraghavan was the toughest choice I had
>   to make. IMO, there was just that little extra craftiness
>   that he had that Venkat didn't. I also considered Karsan Ghavri,
>   but chose to stay with this deadly spin trio.
>
> * Why did I choose Vishwanath over Gavaskar and Kapil Dev to be
>   the vice-premier? Simple, this would cause less politics and
>   bickering and more cricket!

-Murali
Newsgroups: rec.sport.cricket