Effectively stocked with most issues that cash should purchase, the BCCI and members of the Indian cricket staff brains belief might in all probability put money into the standard mirror – in order that they’ll take an excellent have a look at themselves and the place their cricket is heading after yet one more reversal in a world match.
After their 209-run loss to Australia within the World Take a look at Championship (WTC) remaining on the Oval on Sunday, and the statements coming from the Indian camp, one feels that the time to look within the mirror can’t come sooner.
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One other WTC Remaining, one other loss for Workforce India
Head coach Rahul Dravid, who has been ultra-conservative with choice and techniques, selected to let his celebrated batting line-up off somewhat frivolously and make the bowlers the fall-guys. “It wasn’t a 469 wicket,” Dravid instructed Star Sports activities after India’s thrashing. “On the primary day, final session, conceding 157 was disappointing,” he assessed.
Sure, the bowlers had been wayward in that session, nevertheless it was additionally on the again of a spirited present from them – particularly Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj and Ravindra Jadeja that allowed India to remain within the recreation. The prima donnas of the staff, the batters, flopped when it mattered. The identical “selective criticism template” had performed out within the final WTC remaining, the place Ashwin was made the autumn man for the defeat to New Zealand in Southampton.
After the T20 World Cup semifinal thrashing to England at Adelaide too, skipper Rohit Sharma pinned the blame on the bowlers and by no means talked about that India had reached barely 62 for two after 10 overs with the captain himself scoring a laborious 28-ball 27.
Dravid, who took the decision with the selectors to chunk the transition bullet by dropping Pujara and Rahane for the two-match residence collection towards Sri Lanka final yr to herald Shreyas Iyer and Hanuma Vihari to play their roles, selected to drive within the reverse once more and reinstated the skilled middle-order duo. It was a slap on the faces of gamers who scorch the scoresheets in home cricket.
“The identical boys gained in Australia, in England. They may settle for that they did not do justice to their excessive requirements. Among the wickets have been fairly difficult. This was an excellent wicket, however different circumstances weren’t good for batting. Each recreation is essential within the WTC. You want factors, cannot play for attracts. So in all places, the wickets have been robust. All gamers have taken successful with averages, not simply our gamers,” Dravid analysed.
It was a handy assertion. The reality is the middle-order has been in ICU for some time. Star batter Virat Kohli, who perished as soon as once more to a supply on the sixth stump on the off-side, averages 32.13 within the final WTC cycle. Pujara averages 32. The not too long ago resurrected Rahane averages 24.64.
These are underwhelming numbers highlighting the truth that they’re previous their prime.
Should you have a look at the numbers of different middle-order batters in the identical interval, Dravid’s “averages have taken successful throughout” declare falls flat. Joe Root averages 53.1, Steve Smith 50.08, Marnus Labuschagne 53.8, Babar Azam 61.08, Jonny Bairstow 51.four and Travis Head 52.5.
Gavaskar rightly slammed the coach for his evaluation. “It would not matter what the opposite gamers’ averages are. We’re speaking in regards to the Indian staff. The Indian gamers’ averages are falling. Is the extent of teaching not what you require? Is there not a lot of research about areas the place you lack? Sincere self-assessment is an absolute necessity,” he instructed Star Sports activities. With no India ‘A’ tour programme in sight, no coverage to reward home performers, no chief selector, that sincere self-assessment might be laborious to come back by.
Indian cricket could also be blessed with expertise that one can choose from a prolonged conveyor belt. But when deserving gamers who toil within the Ranji Trophy aren’t groomed and blooded on the proper time, disillusionment and a shift to the moment fame and riches of T20 franchise cricket will dry up that expertise pool.
Look no additional than West Indies the place Workforce India begins its subsequent WTC cycle.
