The 50-over World Cup at home is in October, giving the Indian cricket team some breathing time to win. , Photo Credit: AP
Where does Indian cricket stand? Taking stock in sports is an ongoing process, especially when a team loses. India did not lose the Test in Bangladesh, but if they had, significant changes could have taken place ahead of the next Test against Australia in Nagpur in February.
Just as new people get a chance to succeed, similarly old people get a chance to fail. India could be inching closer to a generational change in their batting, even if some of the seniors are younger than when previous generations called it a day.
The 2-0 series win may have helped cover up the weaknesses in the team – remember this was India without Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja. One defeat can bring change the selectors are too timid to try.
no magic formula
There is no magic formula to decide whether a player has crossed it or is simply out of form. The great Virender Sehwag played his last Test at the age of 34, VVS Laxman at the age of 37. Sachin Tendulkar was exceptional, playing in his forties, but he ended up playing 23 Tests without a century in almost three years. There is no magic formula.
The most surprising thing in the final Bangladesh Test at Mirpur was the Indian top-order’s unreliability against spin. Shreyas Iyer looked comfortable following the first rule of playing spin alone – either go full back or full forward. Indian batsmen got stuck in the middle and played more balls than required. It’s a tactic they could get away with in white-ball cricket but it was bound to land them in trouble when the ball was turning and nearby fielders were waiting for the edge.
In recent years, India have struggled against spin which is ironic given the number of spinners available in domestic cricket. But still some of our international players play domestic first class cricket.
Dravidball, unlike baseball, is based on defence, which meant that there was no designated hitter in the order who could bring back the pressure on Bangladesh. Whether Akshar Patel was sent in to strike at No.4 or Virat Kohli was sent to the rescue, it didn’t work out as it should have though he accumulated valuable runs.
It was not until the 41st over, when Iyer took a punt on Shakib Al Hasan and played it inside-out over extra cover that the stranglehold was broken. This, the most crucial shot of the chase for India, came with a message: We are ready to take a chance. And it hit a barrage of boundaries from both ends.
Ashwin hailed VVS Laxman for his timing and ability to handle pressure. His arrival at number nine speaks volumes about India’s depth in the batting; Talking of the weaknesses in the top half, he had to bat.
Did India relax first, allowing Bangladesh not only to climb out of a hole, but almost to trap India in it? In the end, it didn’t matter as all the elements contributed to a thrilling Test match.
WTC landscape
The points system means that every match is consequential. India need to win three if not all four Tests against Australia if they hope to make it to the final of the World Test Championship (WTC) next year, so they are not dependent on other results.
This means that the selection should be ruthless and ad hoc. Emotion cannot be allowed to rule – and if it means ousting KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli or any other senior, the selectors will have to make that call.
This year, Kohli averaged 26.5 in six Tests, Rahul 17.12 in four, Rohit 30 in two. Cheteshwar Pujara had one century and an average of 45 in five Tests. These are not inspiring statistics, but equally, you can’t give up on everything. The selectors will probably have a few of them for the opening Test and take it from there, which may make sense.
Test cricket is India’s immediate concern. The 50-over World Cup at home is in October, giving them some breathing time. India have nine matches against three opponents before calling it quits.