IPL Auctions : Update 1.

As auction reports set in, the new Jeanie has been roped in by Mumbai Indians. Chennai Super Kings have bagged Andy Flintoff for $1.55 million eclipsing MS. And the test side have got Kevin Pietersen for same amount again eclipsing MS. So the 2 maverick players become the costliest pick. One who would never know when he would be unfit and the other who would never know when his king size ego would blow off.

Bret Lee’s pace cousin Shaun Tait goes to his Aussie legend’s team Rajasthan Royals, the defending champions. And Fidel Edwards, the West Indian bowler goes to Gilly’s Deccan Chargers.

Jean Paul Duminy, the new Aussie flesh in the thorn has been bagged by Mumbai Indians. He would flex his muscles with the likes of Bravo, Zaheer, Jayasuriya and of course The legend Tendulkar.

And Owais Shah goes to Delhi Daredevils, my numero uno favorite.

Youngsters

Robin Uthappa out for 2.

Suresh Raina out for 0.

Badri out for 1

Rohit Sharma out for 15.

This is the match scorelines for Test youth hopefuls vs Australia A where the home side were blown away by Shaun Tait first and then Luke Ronchi with a superb 100. The same team which lost to NZ by 129 runs yesterday, blew India A team which had as many as 8 players with international experience.

Badrinath has been spoken of in high esteem by many players and bloggers. He got a chance to prove himself in SL ODIs, failed. He spoke about how bad he was being treated by selectors and promptly was drafted in the team as Sachin’s replacement for ODIs. And now when he got a chance to prove a worthy contender for aussie test series with “seniors in decline”, the chap failed. Does that sound as class ? Or a talent ? Cmon dude, you got a chance to lead, you failed. You lead India A in Emerging player tourney down under, you failed. You still feel good enuf to be in the contention for a Test slot ? Performance. Where ‘s that with the bat ? We need runs under your belt sir, not vocal chord decibel strength.

Raina was very good in Asia Cup against BD and UAE, but failed to Tait — the bowler who is on a return from the break and doesnt figure in Test XV of Aussies. Uthappa is on a way out to exile for long term. Rohit Sharma, who is being viewed as next Sachin or next Richards (some ex-player said) failed once again.

If this players we expect to replace the likes of Tendulkar, Ganguly or Dravid, then I am sorry to say we are next West Indies in making. This players can be found in Page 3 parties, TV ads, commercials, shaking a leg or 2 in a dance show, but would hardly be found performing where they are actually meant to. And when they get blown by second string Australian team, think of what Lee, Clarke and Johnson would do to this guys. Do we want to loose the series 0-4 inside 3 days ?

Once more the debate is out there for everybody to participate in. There are scores from seniors who have one odd failure in Lanka and the youngsters who were blown away on a flat wicket on a subcontinent track. We got to decide do we need likes of Rainas, Sharmas or Badris ?

Or the likes of Virat Kohli who has been getting better and better in the game against Sui gas in Nisar trophy. 52 in the first innings when nobody else crossed double figures and 81* right now wiping out the lead Sui gas had before. If there is one contender for Test team, then here it is. Virat Kohli. Sheer genius.

Think about it.