Coach Greg Chappell says he has no doubt that there is enough talent in India but believes that a time has come to identify those cricketers who can last up to the 2007 World Cup.
"Any discussion on selection from this point has to have in mind the 2007 World Cup," Chappell said after India completed a 2-0 rout of Zimbabwe in the Test series.
"It will take time to develop a team and I suppose a decision has to be taken on which of the senior players are most likely to last and be potent enough that long," he said.
The Australian great said identifying the pool of players is possible through a combined decision from the administrators, selectors and the coaching staff.
"We need to very carefully think about the balance of the side both in one-day cricket and Test cricket. The administrators, selectors, the coaching staff and myself will have some decisions to make soon," he said.
Chappell also made it clear to those who are groaning under his work load within the team that it would not get any easier from now on.
- Also read: Ganguly unfit to lead: Chappell emails BCCI
"There are some things which are non-negotiable. Fielding and fitness are two of them. Unfortunately, players would not find it any easier," said Chappell as he prepared to head for India after the African odyssey.
"Guys who are buying into it are going ahead and those who are not buying into it will find themselves by the wayside," said Chappell in a chillingly plain tone.
Chappell said the pressure on the boys so far have only been in a controlled manner.
"The pressure that we have applied is to find out those who have the character and the capacity to deal with what is required to be a successful team.
"Some of the guys have struggled. Some of them have resisted the change. But if you want to stand up to the demands of modern game, you have to be able to back up day after day.
"Over the last couple of months, everything we have done is to find out the players who have a way to go forward."
Chappell said he would find it strange if players worry about their positions in the team for getting picked or dropped is a way of life for international cricketers.
"I find it interesting if players complain that pressure of selection is getting to them. It is part and parcel of life of an international cricketer.
"I have no control over the selection process but worrying about it is not going to help. All we can do is to take on things which we can do. We have to prepare properly and give ourselves enough chance as individuals and as a team.
"Above all, the players have to realise that if the team does well and starts winning, there is less pressure on individuals."
Chappell said risk is part of the equation and if players on their part put their best foot forward, hopefully the selectors too would recognise the effort and give them the leeway.
"Certain risks come into equation for cricket is a tough game. But that's the only thing we can do as group. There are some players who would perform and others won't. If the selectors buy into the process, they would recognise the effort and give them some leeway," Chappell said.
The coach believed the boys had better chances of surviving if they reached certain standards.
"I don't deny we are putting a lot of pressure on the players. I am expecting them to reach certain standards. Those that reach and maintain those standards will be the one who will survive.
"If we want to have any chance of success in the 2007 World Cup, we will need a strong group, mentally and physically. We can't afford to fail only because we haven't prepared properly.
Besides bowling, batting and fielding, Chappell felt the players needed to earn points into the fourth criteria of intangibles, which he and the support staff have developed.
"This is the intangible of running between wickets, mental strength, situational awareness, personality strength etc. Unless players are strong in three of these four areas, they are going to find it tells against them in the selection process.
"It has been our effort to appraise the players, and not just superficially. The support staff has come up with some key performance indicators which go beyond runs scored or wickets taken.
"We are getting closer each day to have that sort of matrix together. It gives us a better chance to be able to advice the selectors in more details about the sort of players who fit the criteria.
