The Indian selectors juggled the team around in the recently concluded Pepsi cup with high hopes and also in an effort to find answers to the various questions about the future of the team, especially with the World Cup fast approaching. Resting and reviving players became a part of the headline news for the entire duration of the tournament.
Lets start right at the top with the induction of the third opener.
Ramesh has been in good form and did well in the test matches against Pakistan. In the finals, he tamely edged a scorcher from Shoaib Akhtar to the wicket keeper. If the idea is to introduce another opener to protect Tendulkar's wicket for later, then it would have made more sense to open with Mongia or another player whose wicket may not be as valuable. It is hard to forget that Indian openers, other than the likes of Gavaskar and Srikkanth, have had very little success under English conditions. Ganguly has fond memories of England but this will be his first trip to open for the country.