Is it the turn of Dravid this year?

If looking back at the year that's just behind us is a nostalgic trip down memory lane then looking ahead at what 2009 could hold for Indian cricket is a fascinating experience. Events as they unfolded last year have provided enough evidence to be upbeat about the team’s chances in Tests and limited overs cricket in the year that has just started.

Last year two all time greats in Sourav Ganguly and Anil Kumble retired. Is it the turn of Rahul Dravid this year? If one more of the Fab Five has to call it a day the odds must be on him. Dravid's form has deserted him over an extended period – enough for his career average to slide from 58 to 51 - and even though he battled his way to a hundred against England at Mohali he will have to do much more to justify his place in the team. With so many gifted youngsters ready to step in as they have proved over the last couple of years, it will be interesting to see how the vastly experienced Dravid, who turns 36 in a few days time, responds to the challenge.

It can safely be predicted that Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman will still be around playing a major role in Test matches. They will also be on the verge of retirement but one cannot see either of them calling it a day in 2009. However, whether Tendulkar is able to retain his place in the ODI side is open to debate even if he has indicated that he would like to be a member of the World Cup team in 2011. After all a triumph in the mega event is the one lacuna in the great man's CV. But the challenge from the younger brigade is getting to be more and more competitive and even someone like Tendulkar will have to be near his very best to ward it off.

One cannot see much change in the Test and ODI personnel now that Yuvraj Singh has probably clinched a place in the longer version of the game and Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir are enjoying a purple patch. One, however, must ask as to what more Cheteshwar Pujara must do to force his way into the national team. He has got tons of runs and big scores aplenty and during the year he could well force his way into the side.

There is, however, not much of a major change in the bowling attack. Ishant Sharma and Zaheer Khan form a formidable pair and should be able to beat back the challenge from several other contenders while Harbhajan Singh is already relishing his role as the side’s senior spinner. About the only change could be the second spinner with Amit Mishra, Pragyan Ojha and Piyush Chawla battling it out for one slot.

The most certain prediction can be made about the captaincy. The charismatic and highly successful Mahendra Singh Dhoni will be adding more feathers to his cap once he gets through the tour of New Zealand unscathed.

The need to build a team strong enough to win the 2011 World Cup – to be held in the sub continent it must not be forgotten – started in real earnest in 2008 with the Dilip Vengsarkar-led selection committee keeping a sharp eye and scouting for fresh talent. Youngsters were given the break even as the phasing out process involving the seniors commenced and this far-sighted policy was given further impetus by the new selection committee headed by Kris Srikkanth. The new chairman has made it clear that he would like India to be the No 1 team in both Tests and ODIs in the near future and 2009 should see the focus shift more and more on youth with just about two years to go for the World Cup.

Gary Kirsten, who had a most successful first year with the Indian team, looks all set to have another good year. He certainly brought about a more amiable atmosphere in the dressing room after the tempestuous tenure of Greg Chappell something publicly acknowledged by many of the players. But perhaps the eyes of most cricket fans in 2009 will be on the second edition of the Indian Premier League. After its whopping success last year they can't wait for it to get started such is the impact the IPL created in its inaugural edition.