Of Young Guns and Bench Strength

Well India's champions trophy hopes ended with the Pakistan's loss to Australia. The very fact that Indian cricket team's fate depended on the result of someone else's fortne is disheartning. This is the team that was being projected as the new superpower of the Gentelmen's game which has received a severe setback after back to back early exits from major I.C.C. tournaments.
This loss has raised several questions that one finds frequently in the Indian cricket lexicon. Not only has our bowling failed barring in the game against West Indies but questions have been raised about the efficacy of our bench strength.
The Indian selectors couldn't find apt replacement for injured Sehwag but had to revert for the oldies in Rahul Dravid as an opener. Much of the crisis began when Yuvraj got injured in the middle of the tournament.
The much talked about Young Guns of the Indian Brigade also put up a dismal performance. As far as bowling is concerned it has been a weak point for the team consistently.
There has been a weird tradition in the bowling department. We produce talented fast bowling prodigies but suddenly after a certain period of time they become "mature" and they drop their pace and start concentrating on their line and length. Whether Munaf, Irfan, Sreesanth or R.P. all have faded into wilderness and the recent addition is Ishant Sharma.
Maybe the coaching staff and the selectors need to relook at their plans and policies and develop and identify young pool of talented cricketers if they are serious for the 2011 world cup in the sub-continent. Otherwise the result will be obvious.