MOHAMMED AZHARUDDIN
The only choice really if Sachin Tendulkar gets the heave-ho. The ex-captain has been in awesome form after being dropped for the Independence Cup in May. Gone is the media-fright. Is already talking of another three-five years in the game. Will order Pulla Reddy sweets by the sackful if the crown comes back, but how will Sachin take the Hyderbadi's return?
RAHUL DRAVID
Ajit Wadekar thinks he is 100 per cent captaincy material. Led Karnataka to the last gasp of the Ranji Trophy last year, before Kumble returned for the finals to lift the Cup. Young, sane, cool, unflappable, very hungry for runs, hugely popular among fans, and has all the trademarks of a future captain. But wasn't Sachin all that, too, and more? Till Mr Anonymous struck.
ANIL KUMBLE
Botched his chances of leading the side to Toronto by sitting out of the last one-dayer in Sri Lanka. But the spell out of the side has done him good. Bowled with vengeance against Mumbai in the Irani Trophy and against Kerala in the Ranji Trophy. Knows bowlers are never favourites to take over. But two of the finest post-war captains, Richie Benaud and Imran Khan, have been compatriots.
AJAY JADEJA
OK, Kumble's opting out came in handy. OK, he has come up with some sterling one-day knocks when India has batted first up. OK, he's Kapil Dev's boy. OK, Sunil Gavaskar plugged for him before the Sahara Cup. But his chequered Test record, especially his inability to secure a regular berth in the XI, could hamper his chances. But a man to be watched nonetheless.
