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By:

Bhalchandra Chorghade

11 August 2025 at 7:24:18 pm

Domestic Cricket: The Road to Team India

India needs a clear selection policy that establishes consistent standards for newcomers and established stars alike. Indian cricket’s domestic circuit has often been described as the foundation on which the national team is built. Yet, there is a need to reinforce a fundamental principle: a place in Team India must be earned through performance, not protected by reputation. Domestic cricket must remain the most credible proving ground for aspiring players, established stars, dropped...

Domestic Cricket: The Road to Team India

India needs a clear selection policy that establishes consistent standards for newcomers and established stars alike. Indian cricket’s domestic circuit has often been described as the foundation on which the national team is built. Yet, there is a need to reinforce a fundamental principle: a place in Team India must be earned through performance, not protected by reputation. Domestic cricket must remain the most credible proving ground for aspiring players, established stars, dropped cricketers and those returning after a break. For an aspiring cricketer, scoring runs in the Ranji Trophy or taking wickets in the Duleep Trophy should carry considerable weight in the selection process. Talent may open the door, but sustained performance in competitive conditions should determine whether a player deserves to walk through it. Reputation and potential cannot become permanent substitutes for runs, wickets and match-winning contributions. The same principle must apply to established international players. India needs a transparent selection policy that clearly establishes when a player is expected to return to domestic cricket, what performance benchmarks will be considered and under what circumstances an exemption may be granted. Without such consistency, selection risks appearing subjective. Different standards could be applied to established stars and those waiting for their first international opportunity. When a Test cricketer is dropped for poor form, returning to domestic cricket should be the natural next step. A few net sessions cannot replicate the pressure of a four-day or five-day contest. A batter needs to spend hours at the crease and negotiate different bowling spells. The player must also convert starts into substantial scores. A bowler needs to demonstrate rhythm, control and stamina, as well as the ability to sustain pressure across long spells. Domestic cricket provides evidence of improvement rather than merely an assurance that a player has been working on his game. Selection should therefore be linked to demonstrated form and readiness, rather than an automatic recall based on past achievements. There is an equally strong case for regular Test players to represent their state teams whenever the international calendar permits. Those who are rested or have a break between two Test series should consider domestic matches an opportunity, not an inconvenience. Red-ball cricket demands a temperament different from that required in shorter formats. The ability to leave deliveries, bat through difficult sessions and negotiate reverse swing cannot be developed entirely in the nets. Players must also learn to maintain concentration over several hours. The selection policy must distinguish between a player who is rested for workload management and one who is dropped for poor performance. A rested player should follow an appropriate preparation and match-readiness plan, while a dropped player should have a clear route back through competitive cricket. Injury-related exemptions must be based on medical advice. International commitments should also be accommodated through sensible scheduling. Most importantly, exemptions should not become privileges reserved for marquee players. If a young cricketer must score consistently in domestic cricket to earn a place, an established international should not be assured selection merely because he has delivered in the past. Seniority deserves respect, but it cannot guarantee a place in the playing XI. The Board of Control for Cricket in India and the selectors should establish clear expectations for participation in domestic red-ball competitions. Workload management, injury rehabilitation and national duty should be recognised as legitimate grounds for exemption. Such a policy would improve accountability, strengthen the Ranji Trophy and give selectors a more reliable basis for assessing form. Domestic cricket also benefits from the participation of international players. It allows younger cricketers to test themselves against experienced opponents and learn the demands of elite competition. Ultimately, domestic cricket should be neither a punishment for failure nor a ceremonial obligation. It must be an integral part of a cricketer’s professional life. Team India selection must be a merit-based process, not a privilege earned through reputation. For newcomers, domestic cricket is the route to recognition; for dropped players, it is the path to redemption; and for established stars, it is an opportunity to demonstrate that they remain worthy of the national colours.

Forensic Facial Reconstruction: Bridging Science and Identity

Dr. Keshav Kumar and Shiwani Phukan
Apr 1, 2025
3 min read

Reconstructing faces, uncovering identities, and solving mysteries through a fusion of science, technology, and art.

Forensic Facial Reconstruction (FFR) is a process that aims to recover the morphology of a face at the moment before death by observing the cranium. It’s a recognition system that allows direct examinations for primary styles of personal identification. It is a combination of science, technology, and artistry that is essential in forensic investigations, archaeology, and medicine. Whether recovering a victim's identity, rebuilding ancient faces, or assisting in medical treatments, this field evolves advanced technology, providing hope and solutions in different fields.


Facial reconstruction has a lengthy history stretching back to ancient civilisations. Early pioneers of contemporary plastic surgery were Sushruta, Al-Bucasis, and Gaspare Tagliacozzi. Surgical techniques evolved greatly over the 18th and 19th centuries, with Joseph Carpue completing the first major rhinoplasty treatment in the Western world in 1814. Wilhelm His performed the first craniofacial surgery. In the early 1900s, in 1895, surgical technology and procedures advanced quickly in the middle of the 20th century. The care of troops with serious face injuries during World War I prompted advancements in surgical procedures, which in turn led the way in the modern age of facial reconstruction. Cutting-edge techniques like skin grafts and flap operations were invented by surgeons like Sir Harold Gillies. More accurate reconstructions are now possible thanks to the field's integration of several technologies.


The use of facial reconstruction helped law enforcement create a composite sketch that led to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator. Artificial intelligence has converted forensic facial reconstruction by automating and improving the procedure. Machine literacy algorithms estimate bone structures to predict face traits more quickly and directly. Likewise, it was designed to anticipate surgical results, thus enhancing preoperative planning and case care. Technologies like Augmented reality (AR), IDEMIA, and INTERPOL’s biometric pattern created an automated software tool that analyses facial features and outlines using cutting-edge technologies like 3D printing, digital sculpting, CT scanning, MRI integration, deep literacy, neural networks and stoked reality technology. AI also plays an important part in age progression and regression analysis, which helps in long-term missing person instances. Furthermore, AI-powered systems aid in recreating faces from fragmented remnants or damaged characteristics. Violent crimes resulting in significant face injuries necessitate sophisticated facial reconstruction therapies, as demonstrated in the January 2025 gang-related attack and star Saif Ali Khan's home incident, when facial recognition identified the perpetrator. Other prominent cases included Sheena Bora's 2012 case, where 2D facial reconstruction was used. In 2023, officials employed face reconstruction to identify a rotting body at Worli Sea Face. Another noteworthy case is Ram Lochan Ahir v. State of West Bengal, in which the court affirmed the trustworthiness of using a superimposed skull to prove identification. King Richard III's facial reconstruction is one of the most well-known examples of forensic facial approximation in 2012.


Facial reconstruction stands at the forefront of forensic science, bridging the gap between skeletal remains and identifiable individuals. Globally, experts such as Dr. Chris Rynn have contributed significantly to the field. Since 2018, KEM Hospital in Mumbai has been at the forefront of forensic face restoration. Sherlock Institute of Forensic Science (SIFS) in India has a dedicated Forensic Facial Imaging Laboratory. Their skilled forensic artists perform facial reconstructions using software to provide insights into age, sex, and ancestry. Dr. Caroline Wilkinson, a renowned facial anthropologist, oversaw the reconstruction process at the University of Dundee. Dr. Murugaiyan Amirthalingam and Dr. Karthik Balaji have developed methods for designing and manufacturing personalised 3D-printed facial implants, a product developed by Zoriox Innovation Labs.


Forensic Facial Reconstruction continues to evolve, merging cutting-edge technology with scientific expertise to reveal identities and preserve history. From aiding law enforcement in solving crimes to reconstructing historical figures and advancing medical applications, this field remains indispensable. As AI-driven tools and 3D imaging enhance accuracy, the future of forensic facial reconstruction promises even greater precision and impact, ensuring that every face—whether lost to time or tragedy—can be recognised and remembered.


(Dr. Kumar is a retired IPS officer and forensic advisor to the Assam government. Phukan is a student of National University of Forensic Science, Guwahati.)

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