Zaheer Khan And Sehwag Are The Main Reasons For India Being No. 1 Test Team

The defeat of the Indian team at the hands of England in the First test of Four-match test series provides ample proof that Zaheer Khan and Sehwag makes the Indian team No.1 in test rankings. If one looks back at the test series that India has won in the recent times or for that matter drawn, one would find that it is either Zaheer Khan or Sehwag who have played a significant role most of the time with Laxman playing such roles besides Zaheer Khan and Sehwag. These three players in Zaheer Khan, Sehwag and to a bit lesser extent Laxman makes the difference to India for being the No. 1 test team in the World.

Zaheer Khan has often played a major role in getting the top-order wickets of the opposition. Even though he would not run through the batting orders very often, but he provides crucial breakthroughs most of the times that would put the opposition team under immense pressure and help the other Indian bowlers to run through the batting orders.

Similarly, Sehwag has been a key component in India retaining the top position in ICC ranking. His blitzkreig innings of 87 on the evening of the Fourth day of the test match against England at Chennai when India was challenged to chase down a mammoth score of around 400 in just session, which India eventually did. That victory would have never been possible had it not been for Sehwag's blitzkreig innings. Similarly his innings of more than 200 at Galle in the second test after India had the lost of the first test of the series and so on. 

Harbhajan Does Not Deserve A Place In The Indian Team

Certain players can continue playing in the Indian team even if they do not perform for prolonged periods of time. Harbhajan is certainly one of them. For the last four to five years, Harbhajan has been ineffective most of the times, but nobody challenges his position. Bowlers like Murali Karthik, Ashwin, Iqbal Abdullah, Pragyan Ojha and others are surely better than Harbhajan, at least in the last five years time duration.

Harbhajan's record abroad has been particularly pathetic in general and in the last five years in particular. It is a high time that the team management and the selectors look for alternative to Harbhajan Singh. I am not sure if the selectors, team management and Harbhajan himself has set himself certain target for record in test cricket irrespective of his form and contribution to the team.

Certain players seems to have great understanding with each other and support each other to the hilt. Harbhajan always seemed to have good rapport with the top players who matter in the team and the team management. Similarly, there is no questions raised on the retirement plans of Rahul Dravid despite his poor form in the past four to five years. There seems to be no need for discussing the possible replacement for Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar.