Is Tendulkar on trial?

By John Cheeran
In the last 10 Test innings, Sachin Tendulkar has not touched the 30-run mark. I would call it poor form.
On Sunday, at his home ground in Mumbai, Tendulkar failed again. Miserably, I add.
He took 14 balls to steal a single and when India required him to play a positive role in this Test, he threw away his wicket. Or was forced to.
India has only five specialist batsmen in Mumbai and the No.1 batsman who occupies the No.4 slot is unable to negotiate some disciplined, quality fast bowling from the Ashes conquerors.
Indian selectors have a problem here.
Time is running out for Tendulkar to regain form. It is not an easy decision to drop Tendulkar but reputation should not be the yardstick to pick your XI.
The truth is, Tendulkar has declined as a Test batsman. Someone has to break the news to the Little Master and carry on with the game.
In my book, he will retain his spot in the one-day XI, which should work well for India’s World Cup ambitions as well.
Much the same is true of opener and vice-captain Virender Sehwag.
Sehwag was hardly tested in the second innings at Mohali, which might extend his life in Tests, and in Mumbai, he was exposed again by Matthew Hoggard.
India’s batting woes begin at the top.
Sehwag’s failure to blunt the cutting edge of rival fast bowlers, leave alone scoring, is putting enormous pressure on the shoulders of skipper Rahul Dravid at a time when VVS Laxman sits out of the team.
Tough choices are ahead of Team India.
Tough choices are ahead of Dravid and coach Greg Chappell.