Will Kambli disappoint us again?
An acid test for Kambli

Kambli is back in the Indian Team for the Millionth time. So, what’s new? What everybody will be interested in knowing is whether he is here to stay or is going to disappoint us again. Kambli made his debut for India in 1991-92 series in Sharjah. Like Tendulkar he was known to be a brilliant talent. His beginning was not that good and he was subsequently dropped for the tour to Australia. He made his first come back in the 1992 World Cup in Australia when he replaced the injured Shastri. His come back was short lived as he was dropped once again for the tours to Zimbabwe and South Africa. But his second come back was like a bang as he made back-to-back double centuries against England and Zimbabwe in the home-series. This performance cemented his place in the side. May be he could not handle the success that he had achieved and then started his downslide as he was dropped for the series against the West Indies in 1994-95. His third come back was against New Zealand in 1995 but that stayed for a year as he was again dropped from the team for a tour to England after a dismal performance in the 1996 World Cup. There were a series of comebacks after that but the result was disappointing every time. His game is not what it used to be but his selection in the team has been accepted whole-heartedly. His consistent performance at the domestic level has earned him this place in the side.  Mumbai’s coach Ashok Mankad expressed happiness over his selection as he said, “This is a result of Vinod's determined effort. His story is worth emulating, his is a story of determination and valor. His presence in the Indian dressing room would provide relief to his teammates. He has a very good sense of humor, and that can go a long way in lifting the morale of the side." May be that’s right but what India needs more from him is a series of good performances rather than funny jokes.

Well Kambli has a big task on hand as he has to justify his selection. Though this tournament might not be the right opportunity for him to do so but one good performance at the right time will go a long way in establishing his place in the team. It is a hard battle he has to fight but he has no choice but to win and thats what separates the boys from the men.