Age becomes an issue for India's "Fab Four"

By N.Ananthanarayanan

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India's four most senior batsmen, the engine room of the national side for more than a decade, are facing a debate over their age and whether the time is ripe to inject fresh blood into the test squad.

Dubbed the "Fab Four", former captains Saurav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar plus Vangipurappu Laxman are coming under pressure ahead of a high-profile home test series against Australia starting on Oct. 9.

The heated debate has been sparked after they struggled during a 2-1 test series defeat in Sri Lanka in July and August, where spin sensation Ajantha Mendis repeatedly foxed them.

Experts and the media have speculated that the first casualty could be Ganguly, the oldest among the senior batsman at 36 and India's most successful test captain.

Ganguly, who made a splendid second comeback in late 2006, has been omitted for next week's Irani Cup five-day game between Rest of India and Ranji champions Delhi, seen as a selection game for the Australia series.

Tendulkar and Dravid are both 35 and are showing signs that their reflexes are slowing down. The side must also face the fact that test skipper and leading spinner Anil Kumble turns 38 next month.

YOUNGER GENERATION