BOMBAY, 27 January 2006 — The superstar addresses are gradually fading and new ones, from erstwhile unknown territories in Indian cricket, are emerging on the horizon. While no one is yet writing off the likes of Tendulkar, Dravid and Laxman, as they may be good for another couple of years, the old order is changing and changing fast.

The rising potential stars are Virendra Sehwag, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Irfan Pathan, with Yuvraj Singh and Mohammed Kaif making up the young brigade which is developing into becoming a new force.

What is even more encouraging in a vast country like India is that most of the talent that has gained recognition so far has come from the most unfamiliar small towns, not so much in the limelight for cricketing fame.

Sehwag hails from the village of Najafgarh, some 40 kilometers from Delhi. As his school coach discovered his natural talent and took him under his wings, he was in a quandary whether to take him to play for bordering state of Haryana, from where the legendary Kapil Dev hailed, or to try his luck in Delhi where the competition would be stiff. Since commuting was easier to New Delhi, he opted for the latter. But it wasn’t easy breaking in.

Sehwag needed just one chance and he got it. He grabbed it so tight that he never let it go.

The rest is now history. Today Sehwag is probably the most exciting batsman in the world.

Yuvraj, Kaif and Irfan came through from junior ranks. They played international cricket early as they showed tremendous skills when selected for the under-19 teams and the junior World Cup squads. Dhoni came on the scene a little later, but has now grabbed more of the limelight than the others. That is because of his natural flair for aggression.

What is remarkable about players like Kaif, Irfan and Dhoni is that they have competed with the more privileged ones from the traditional cricket centers. Kaif comes from Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh and Dhoni from the less prominent town of Ranchi in the newly-formed state of Jharkhand, which was earlier a part of Bihar. Irfan Pathan may be from the traditional cricket city of Baroda, but he has had to struggle to earn recognition.

What is important is that these players had no godfathers backing them and had to fend for themselves. It was only their exceptional talent that has brought them to the fore.

Such accolades and high praises are being showered on Dhoni which is rare for a youngster.

But he has remained very modest so far and has probably learned a lot from players like Tendulkar and Dravid on how to handle instant success. Challenging the stiff competition that exists today in the run-up to a place in the Indian team, are other players from Uttar Pradesh, Suresh Raina and Rudra Pratap Singh. They have already earned their India colors but are waiting to cement their places.

Waiting in the wings is 17-year old leg-spinner Piyush Chawla, also from Uttar Pradesh.

The Indian team coach Greg Chappell was so impressed by this prodigious spin bowler that he took him along with the Indian squad during the last home series against Sri Lanka and South Africa. One has to give tremendous credit to coach Greg Chappell for keeping such an open mind on young, budding players. It was he who quickly recognized the batting talent of Pathan and Dhoni and encouraged them by promoting them up the order. The success that the younger players achieve puts even the senior players on their toes. Such a situation has helped the Indian team to develop into a highly talented and cohesive unit. It is time we stop shedding tears over the omission of senior players like Saurav Ganguly. The competition is stiff but fair. The only consideration is merit.

Nothing better could have happened to Indian cricket.