Can't ask them about retirement, don't want an argument !!

ODIs: All the ageing players who "haven't been doing well" have been phased out. Laxman, Kumble, Dravid, Saurav.

Tests: The only series the senior middle order failed collectively for a long long time was the recent SL series. (Laxman averaged around 43 which is what Ian Bell would average when he is in great nick).
And people forget that many batsmen got raw deal in taht series because of the referral system. And Ajantha Mendis factor. I bet most teams bar Australia would have lost that series 3-0.
Before the SL series Indian middle order did not fail collectively. Sure they were not at "their" best (Ganguly probably was), but they were performing adequately.
Anyways, no test team makes wholesale changes,, they always work on their weakest links,, one at a time. Selectors probably believe Saurav is the weakest link in the middle order, hence they are trying other options.