Fine Ranji performances, and why they do not guarantee an India call

The Ranji Trophy is in full swing. Already there have been some remarkable performances. A quadruple century, a triple, two successive double centuries, a nine-wicket haul, four centuries in a row. All these performers undoubtedly harbour thoughts of playing for India.

It’s not a direct jump to the Test level, of course, but that is no obstacle to ambition. Selectors occasionally take a punt on a player based on potential rather than performance (there is a reason why selections are not done by an algorithm).

India’s most successful batter and bowler were both beneficiaries of selection when in their teens. But no one can begrudge the promotion of Sachin Tendulkar and Anil Kumble. Sometimes the selectors have a double challenge: imperfect information and real-time pressure (to borrow a phrase from former England selector Ed Smith).