A quick glimpse at the ongoing three-dayer between India A and Australia A provides ample ammunition for the school of thought that is pro a shake-up in the former nation's batting order.

In the midst of a superb season in the Ranji Trophy, which sees him file in at fourth on the domestic tourney's run-scoring charts, Mohammad Kaif racked up an impressive 94 against an attack led by Oz Test hopefuls Doug Bollinger and Ashley Noffke in Bangalore.

Virat Kohli, fresh from his sound showing in his first ODI series for the senior side, weighed in with a steadfast 49 as the hosts continued to hold the upper hand over the visitors from Down Under.

Kaif, whose lengthy wait for a Test recall now borders on preposterous proportions, has worked hard on his batting and should at least get a berth in the squad for the Test series against the Aussies.

Often found wanting on the drive, reports out of India claim the right-hander has corrected his shoulder movement and is now much more fluent on the front foot. Against the pace of Brett Lee, Mitchell Johnson and the like, that alteration to his technique would reap great reward if given a deserved chance.

Having last played Test cricket in June 2006, Kaif inexplicably received the boot on the back of a lean string (0, DNB, 13, 6) against the West Indies. The selectors quickly forgot about his 46 not out and 148 not out in Tests one and two of that series, resigning him to the international wilderness since.

Why it is that a mere three fruitless knocks led to his axing, while the recent shoddy performances over twice as many innings by Rahul Dravid (averaging 24.7), Sourav Ganguly (16) and Sachin Tendulkar (15.8) are passed off as "these things happen in cricket" by Anil Kumble is perplexing to say the least.

Going on to fight the beleaguered cause of the old guard further, Kumble explains: "They have done so much for Indian cricket in the last 15 years. We should not forget their past contribution." The modern era has little space for loyalty and even less for sentimentality, and the Indian Test captain's desperate words serve only to fuel the call for a shake-up in the order.

Complementing Kaif's campaign is that of Kohli. Thrown in the deep end in the wake of Virender Sehwag's injury, he took to the big occasion with maturity beyond his years in the one-day series against Sri Lanka. With that mettle-proving experience added to his world cup-winning leadership at the helm of the under-19 team earlier this year, initial signs are Kohli has the temperament needed to take on Ricky Ponting's world beaters.

Currently plying his trade at six in the order against Oz A, the 19-year-old seems the logical replacement for one of the erring trio. VVS Laxman's prowess is wasted down at six, and the rookie's call-up would prove a two-fold move in the right direction as the stalwart would subsequently move up the order.

Also, Kaif and Kohli would add a much-needed vibrancy in the field, with the current ageing crop offering a defined lack of dynamism and exuberance.

Then there's the little matter of a looming second chance for Yuvraj Singh. Tendulkar's slow recuperation from an elbow injury might be just the opening for Yuvraj's recall, the latest prognosis on the little maestro's participation against Australia a mere "maybe". Singh's hopeful transition from ODI specialist to Test cricketer still falters (average 24.3 in last 10 Tests).

But such is the confrontational nature of his approach (see swashbuckling 169 against Pakistan, December 2007), India can ill afford to leave him out of the equation upon the arrival of Ponting's bunch. If not for the series opener, then surely the second clash on the back of more inevitable failure from Dravid or Ganguly.

As it is, Kohli and Kaif have the rest of the Bangalore encounter and a second match against the same opposition next week to nourish the powers-that-be with food for thought. Dravid, Ganguly and Tendulkar in the meantime, may want to consider handing the baton to the new school before it's forcefully taken from them.

Jonhenry Wilson