Standing on the shoulders of giants (cricketers that is...!)

"If I have seen further than others,
it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants."

- Sir Isaac Newton

This quote is so simple but in contains a gem of an observation within its simplicity. If a team is going to improve it is by continual improvement,change, re-assessment of its priorities and most of all by learning from the giants of yore. Team India is in the most propitious positions of any cricket team. There is experience in the side in the form of Dravid, Tendulkar and Chappell playing alongside players in their peak such as Harbhajan, Yuvraj, Kaif and Sehwag who are playing beside young 'uns like Raina, Rao, Singh, Sreesanth etc. The experienced players are giants in their own right in the game of cricket. This is a combination of idols and fans put together. It could be just the right blend to become the next hit on the cricket scene, eh? This is a good start but they have only played to the choir, so to speak. Placid pitches, favorable conditions and of course a crowd that's on our side, though it did not feel like it at Rajkot. They will be broadening their wings a little more in the next series against South Africa with a stiffer opposition; though, I don't know how strong they will be without Bojé and Gibbs in the lineup. They must decimate South Africa or else inevitable changes will be taken out of the team management's hands and that is never a good thing.

The blend is good but can it go international is the question. I think there are many factors why this team could be even more successful than the team that went to the 2003 World Cup. There is more depth in the side and also the team management is not holding any favorites so they are chopping anyone that they think will not perform. However, this must be taken with a grain of salt because they are being over agressive with their team selections. In Pune it could have backfired if they had chosen a bowler as a supersub. But, they are getting breaks like this during the series and that is helping them keep it going. It will be extremely fortunate if this sort of run continues. But it won't and I believe they are planning for an eventuality like that. Dravid was right when he said "There is no point getting carried away". If anything this guy knows what he is talking about and that is a heartening thing to know. Indian cricket is in safe hands!

Comments regarding Dravid's captaincy are welcome. Fire away!