Dr D's column: The stress of picking the right players for Team India

Dear Dr D,
As the head of the selection committee for the team’s next tour, I have to make some important calls about whom to pick and whom to leave out. I must keep several factors in mind and have listed them below. I think it’s a pretty comprehensive list, but could you assign weightage to each item? It would help me decide. Here goes:

• How does one strike a balance between North Zone and South Zone?
• If a fine balance is struck, then it reduces the number of Hindi speakers in the squad; to what extent will this hurt endorsements?

• The actress wife of a player has a shoot date in the middle of the first Test. Should we propose the return of the ‘rest day’, so that she can be in the stands for the full match?
• Should the veteran keeper be given a chance to say his last goodbye? Or should we pick the youngster, who is sharper but less popular?
• Currently the chaddibanian, hair oil, Chawanprash and insurance ads are split 50-50 between the boys and the Khans. Should this be a concern? If so, how does one tackle this vital question?

Thanks,
- K.D, Chandigarh

Dear Mr D,
This is a very fine list and I cannot think of adding anything to it, though perhaps it would be a good idea to also pick players on the basis of talent, form and commitment.

(Dr D is one of the leading doctors in the country. He values his privacy, but not of his clients).

STATUTORY WARNING: This humour column is not for the weak-kneed or the thin-skinned.

Dejection, Tears, Disappointment: Team India's Final Moments In The World Cup Race

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Wednesday ended on a sad note for the Indian Cricket team and all its fans. The Kohli-led squad, which clashed with New Zealand in the semi-final of 2019 World Cup, lost to the Kiwis by 18 runs. After enjoying a winning streak in the ongoing World Cup, the Men in Blue succumbed to the attack from Black Caps and lost their chance to bring the trophy home.

Dejected by the defeat, some fans seemed to shed tears for their beloved team. However, it wasn't just the fans that sobbed at the loss, the Men in Blue also lived those moments of disappointment. Former captain Dhoni seemed teary-eyed as he exit the field on being run out. Kohli, too, was captured while offering consolation to his teammates.

Here's a round-up of all such moments from the Old Trafford stadium.

Wednesday ended on a sad note for the Indian Cricket team and all its fans. The Kohli-led squad, which clashed with New Zealand in the semi-final of 2019 World Cup, lost to the Kiwis by 18 runs. Af..

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After the first day of the match, fans seemed high-spirited as 240 seemed like an achievable target for the Men in Blue. However, back to back wickets left fans dejected, and they soon lost all hopes of winning. From kids to adults, hundreds of people who hoped to see the team raise this year's world cup were spotted shedding tears at the loss.

After the first day of the match, fans seemed high-spirited as 240 seemed like an achievable target for the Men in Blue. However, back to back wickets left fans dejected, and they soon lost all hopes..

Read More

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