India Team for Bangladesh -- Golden Handshake for Past Heroes? Or Test New Blood?
India play one Test and three One-Day Internationals in June in Bangladesh. With several senior players asking for rest, BCCI might choose to hand a fitting farewell to India's all-time favourites -- Virender Sehwag, Zaheer Khan, Harbhajan Singh and Yuvraj Singh.
As the Indian Premier League draws to a close, the international season beckons Team India. The Indian cricket team for the Bangladesh tour will be selected in Mumbai on May 20, Wednesday at Mumbai.
India play one Test and three One-Day Internationals (ODI) in June in Bangladesh and according to reports, senior cricketers like MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli want a break after a hectic season.
If the BCCI grants the request of the star players, a new look Indian side - with a new captain - could board the flight to Dhaka. It might also be a perfect opportunity for Indian cricket to bid goodbye to a few of its past heroes.
According to reports, BCCI might select four of India's past stalwarts -- Virender Sehwag, Zaheer Khan, Harbhajan Singh and Yuvraj Singh -- for a farewell series. (Gavaskar Wants Kohli to Play Test vs Bangladesh)
The above four have been pillars of Indian cricket throughout the past decade and were also key members in India's triumph of the 2011 World Cup. However, form, fitness and age have taken their toll and all four of them have fallen out of favour with the team management. Yet, they remain crowd-pullers. (IPL 8: Who Plays Whom in Knockouts)
The Bangladesh tour presents BCCI with an unique opportunity to offer a fitting farewell to these swashbuckling Indian stars.
The 2015 IPL saw all of them don their franchise jerseys and showcase their talent to their fans.
Yuvraj Singh made the headlines for the record auction fee that was paid by the Delhi Daredevils. The left-hander however, failed to live up to the billing and just managed paltry 237 runs in 13 games. Sehwag, too had a damp season. In eight matches for KXIP, the Nawab of Najafgarh managed only 99 runs.
Zaheer Khan though, made a strong comeback for the Daredevils. Shedding off his fitness woes, the left-arm pacer looked sharp and made some incisive breakthroughs with the new ball. Harbhajan Singh too, has had a decent IPL donning the Mumbai colours. The 'Turbanator' not only has bowled well in the tournament but also hit a fifty off just 19 balls.
The Bangladesh series is a fresh start for India after the 2015 World Cup campaign and it will be interesting to see if the heroes of Indian cricket does get a fitting farewell from the BCCI.