Author: Bobji

The Indian cricket team is probably one of the biggest drawcard in world sports and the gigantic drawcard among the cricketing nations. So much so that an Indian tour ensures that the hosting board is able to pay its dues to all its stakeholders. The current series in Australia is a very good example. The Australian board did not leave any stone unturned to ensure that the series goes ahead. Such is the power of Indian cricket at the moment. Having said that, the Indian cricket board cannot or rather must not satisfy the needs of all the boards. It is not their job. It will have to take care of its players. However, evidence seems to suggest to the contrary. I have already written about mindless scheduling of games. Let me analyse and it will be easier to understand how the board is hardly bothered about its players.

Living under bio-secure bubble

All of us are living during strange and difficult time. It has been close to a year when things spiralled out of control. The cricketers are finding it even more difficult. They must live under strict bio-secure bubble. A lot of players have spoken about how difficult it is living under the bubble over a long period of time. Teams have started to realise the importance of mental conditioning coach though not every team has one. Whenever a team visits, they are expected to undergo 2 weeks mandatory quarantine followed by staying within the confines of the hotel throughout the series. This will take a heavy toll on the players as well as the support staff.

Crazy schedule

Just a cursory glance at the schedule of the Indian cricket team reveals a shocking picture. The Indian team had a break of about 7 months after the New Zealand tour. After that, they had to travel to UAE for the start of IPL. The IPL went on for 10 weeks with the finals played on November 10, 2020. This is 12 weeks inside the bubble. The entire team travelled to Australia from UAE at the end of IPL for the Australian series. The series started 27^th November. However, for the Indian players it started 15 days earlier when they had to be in quarantine. The series ends on 19^th January 2021.

On the whole, the team would have spent close to 2.5 months in another bubble. Once they return to India, the England series starts on 5^th February and ends on 28 March. This is a further 8 weeks in the bubble. Immediately after the England series, IPL 2021 will start. IPL in 2021 promises to be a much bigger event than usual with the addition of 2 more teams. The number of games and the number of days the players are required to be in the bubble is likely to increase exponentially during the IPL assuming that a vaccine for the virus will not be made that widely available.

From the start of September till the end of IPL likely to be in June, the Indian players would have spent 10 months inside the bubble. That is 10 months of not visiting families, friends and other social gathering eventhough at the limited level. Does the board even think about the mental health of the players when they schedule such nonsense?

Impact on performance

We have seen an entire playing 11 being injured in the current series in Australia. With such mindless schedule, more players can be expected to be affected. This will have a serious impact on the performance of the players. This will only result in lowering the standard of the game.

The Indian team currently in Australia have been ravaged with injuries to a lot of players. The problem is so severe that the team is actually struggling to find 11 fit players for the fourth and final test at Brisbane. Some of the injuries were on the field while some could have been avoided. The real culprit is the Board of Control for Cricket in India. Their mindless schedule has certainly affected the preparation.

Far too many injured

The list of players who are injured. Rohit Sharma, Ishant Sharma, Jadeja, Ashwin, Vihari, Umesh, Rishabh Pant, Shami, Bumrah, Rahul & Agarwal. This is an entire 11 that is injured. Of these players, Pant, Jadeja & Shami the rest were injured on the field because of some aggressive bowling. The rest were injured because of over exertion.

A rather lengthy IPL

The BCCI were determined to conduct a full-blown IPL just before the Australian series. IPL as we all know is highly competitive and as such all the players are required to be at their best because that is the least the respective franchise expects of them. So much so that the main players were never given a game off to rest and recuperate. Granted IPL is only 40 overs but it involves lot of running around and as such the players will be exhausted after every game.

IPL went on for more than 2 months with 14 games each and a further 4 games for the finalists. This is after more than 6 months of absolutely no games played anywhere because of the pandemic. Not to mention the mandatory quarantine of 2 weeks just before the IPL. During the 6 months, all sporting activities were stopped and this includes practise session as well. The players would have been challenged to maintain their fitness. For the players to be involved in such a competitive game following a long layoff and just before an important series, it surely would have affected their fitness and each muscle in their bodies.

Bowlers are much more affected

More than the batsmen, it is the bowlers who will be affected by such a tournament right after a lengthy layoff. As such Ishant & Kumar were injured right in the middle of IPL and except for Rohit, the others missed the entire Australian series. Both Ishant & Kumar would have been priceless in the series. Now the most important part of the bowling attack, Jasprit Bumrah is not available for the crucial series decided test at Brisbane. The blame must be laid squarely on IPL because Bumrah bowled more than 100 overs and a further 150 overs in the Australian series. He is bound to break somewhere and it happened right before the test. Considering the state of the Australian batting and the strength of the Indian bowling, a fully fit Indian team would have by now won the series. Thanks to IPL and the board, it is proving difficult.

Indian quarantine facilities and complaints

Far too much has been read into the Indian team’s reluctance to travel of Brisbane and their reluctance to be under strict quarantine in Brisbane. This is ridiculous. The Indian players have been in bio-secure bubble for more than 5 months. That is 150 days of not meeting their family and friends and not even venturing outside of the bubble. This certainly is difficult for a human and yet they have not complained until now when they were required to be under strict quarantine.

The entire team were in quarantine before the start of the series. They have not ventured out of the zone and to make them undergo one more quarantine is nonsense. The Indians were right to protest. They are not asking for much. They do not want to go to shopping centres or visit movie halls. All they want is be able to move within the confines of the hotel freely. To take away that from the team is stupid.

One argument is that some Australians were also under quarantine for 5 months. Yes true but they are only 3 players from the current team. Also, they are playing in their home country. Also, their families are allowed to visit the players. Hence, this is not even a comparison worthy of debating.

Second argument could be that IPL is an Indian first class tournament and the players were in the bubble because they chose to. They is some merit in this argument and the blame for that falls on the board specifically.

Mental health

Just how important physical health of a player is, so is his mental health. This is something which is growing among the cricketers. There are lot of instances when a player was withdrawn from the tour because of mental health. The Indian players who are in the bubble for 5 months is bound to suffer from mental fatigue. Small concession like moving with the hotel corridor, speaking with team members will do much to alleviate that mental fatigue. This will only help the Indian team to perform at their optimum level. Alas, maybe the Australian board does not want the Indian team to be peaceful mentally now that they are under tremendous pressure to win the last game. Especially, after the way the Indians have performed from Melbourne, there is a feeling that India with depleted resources might pull off the impossible and win the series.

Other topics related to the BCCI can be read here, here and here.

This morning I read a couple of articles about playing Rohit Sharma in the next test at Sydney. One that supports Rohit to play in the test and the other opposing playing him in the test. Both the articles had some valid points. I would like to express my view on the same subject. I have said this before but I would like to reiterate the same.

Let me start with the one that support Rohit to play

This was an interesting article in www.wisden.com. The article was written by Aadya Sharma. The writer throws up some valid points. First, the writer asks whether it is fair to break the combination that won the 2^nd test against all odds? I for one certainly think that it does make sense. If at all Rohit has to come in, it must be at the expense of Mayank Agarwal. Agarwal had certainly had a wonderful start to his career but his returns in the series is abysmal.

It is not that India are playing at home and it does not really matter who plays with everyone capable of scoring runs. They are playing in Australia against one of the best attacks in world cricket. This not only calls for experience but for someone who can be aggressive at the top to unsettle the Australian pace attack. Rohit Sharma fits that bill and not Mayank.

Second, the writes adds that most of Rohit’s runs have come in India and that he averages a modest 26 in 18 tests outside of India. This is true but most of his runs in India have come in the last one year after he started to open the innings. Before his injury, he was the first choice opener and it is only fair that he gets to open again.

Third, the writes asks whether Rohit is good enough to walk into the team especially after a win. This question would certainly not have risen if Mayank has had a decent tour so far. In which case, Rohit’s inclusion would not have come up at all. However, with Mayank in poor form, Rohit will definitely not perform any poorer than him.

Fourth, the writes wants a longer run for Mayank despite his struggle. This is fair enough. Given his performance in the earlier tour, he does deserve a longer run. However, the current situation does not warrant a longer run. With Pujara, Vihari and to a certain extent even Rahane struggling for runs and Gill in only his second test, it only makes sense to fortify the top. We should also remember that India are playing 5 bowlers.

Fifth, the writes states that there is an impression that Rohit’s game is suited for the Australian pitches. It probably maybe true. Remember, the last time around, he played aggressively in the only test in Adelaide and his runs though not match winning but it certainly helped the team to achieve a reasonable score.

Sixth, the writes states that Rohit hasn’t played more than 100 deliveries regularly. Fair enough. He is someone who if he plays 100 deliveries can easily score 60odd which will give the team a good start.

Finally, the writes wants Rohit to wait just like how Vihari & Mayank waited after scoring tons of runs at the domestic level. The time is not ripe for that. If this series had been played in India, yes Rohit can definitely wait but it is not. The Indian team needs someone who is perceived to be able to play aggressively and will be able to score runs at the top.

Coming to the one which supports Rohit to play in the next test

Laxman is quite adamant that Rohit must play in the next test. Laxman feels that he will be a welcome addition to the squad at the expense of Mayank.

“Definitely one of the batsmen has to miss out. Rohit Sharma will probably come in place of Mayank Agarwal because Rohit has been a regular opener since the South Africa series. He has a tremendous record now as an opening batsman but I think it is a good headache to have,” said Laxman

“The Indian cricket team will be very pleased to have Rohit Sharma back especially when Virat is not there. You want more experience in that Indian dressing room. Now is the perfect opportunity first to go up 2-1 in Sydney and then win probably 3-1,” added Laxman

“If he gits his eye in, if he sees off the new ball, I am sure a big hundred is on the cards as far as Rohit’s batting is concerned,” concluded Laxman

Laxman is certainly excited that Rohit is back in the mix. He is not wrong in stating that Rohit will add experience especially in Virat Kohli’s absence. He has again repeated the same conception that Australian wickets will suit Rohit’s batting style. Laxman is someone who has played at the highest level for a longtime and he has performed in Australia. When he says something like that, it is worth a listen. Laxman is certain that is Rohit sees off the new ball, a big hundred is on the cards. I for one would certainly want him to get a hundred but that is a bit far fetched. I will be happy if he plays positive cricket and gives the team a good start with Gill. This will put pressure back on the Australian bowlers.

Conclusion

Rohit is somewhat an unknown quantity when it comes to test cricket. However, the situation that the team finds itself in does require someone like Rohit to play straightaway. Mayank is not scoring runs. Prithvi Shaw is technically unfit to play in Australia. Rahul has injured his wrist. India has a good chance to go 2-1 up in the series because the game will be played at Sydney which is known to assist spinners. Rohit can easily play the spinners. He might even nullify the threat of Lyon if he stays long enough at the wicket.

It takes lots of mental strength and conviction to comeback from a hammering and to win the very next test. The performance of the Indian team was really excellent. They showed lot of character and determination to win the test. There were quite a few positives as well for the team. There were lot of praises for the team from various quarters. Ravi Shastri, as usual was melodramatic. However, there still remains lot of open questions. Yes India won the Melbourne test but…..

First let us look at the positives

India were without some of the first choice players. Kohli is back in India for his child’s birth. Shami fractured his arm. Ishant Sharma never really travelled to Australia and to top all of that, Umesh was injured in the 2^nd innings. Not that Umesh is someone who is a certainty in the Indian lineup but to lose one bowler transfers enormous workload on the shoulders of the rest one of whom was making his debut. Despite so many setbacks, the Indian bowlers did really well to bundle Australia for 195 and gain a lead of more than 100. Rahane, who was under tremendous pressure because of lack of substantial contribution over 4 years, save for a couple of innings batted beautifully to ensure that the bowlers efforts were not wasted once again.

Siraj bowled decently enough to be considered a certainty till the end of this tour. He wasn’t spectacular nor was he ordinary. He has height and if only he can add few yards of pace, will certainly be an excellent bowler. Shubnam Gill showed why he is regarded as someone with great potential.

For me, the highlight of the 1^st and 2^nd test is the bowling of Ashwin. I for one never rated Ashwin as someone who is capable of taking wickets outside of secured environs. In this series, so far, he has shown that he is indeed capable of going onto the next level. He has 10 wickets so far from a couple of tests including Smith couple of times and Marnus once. During the 2007 series in India, Ricky Ponting mentioned that he will be pleased if Shane Warne who had until then struggled in India, ends up taking Laxman’s wicket in all the innings cheaply. Likewise, if Ashwin manages to get both Smith & Manus wickets in the remaining tests at a cheap rate, he would have done his job.

Tougher games are ahead

India for some reason are notorious for losing a game just after winning one outside of Asia with the trend bucked only in West Indies. One reason could be because of the euphoria of winning in an environment that they are not accustomed to. Another could be because of feeling deflated after achieving something that they thought is impossible. Yet another could be because the rest available between the games were so minimal that the Indian team is unable to come out of a mindset.

This has happened regularly in England, South Africa, New Zealand and previously, in Australia. This time, there is a slight difference. The Indian team have had 10 solid days to reflect upon the win, celebrate and put that in the backburner and then concentrate on the next test. The coaching staff will have to shoulder this responsibility and ensure that the players are focussed on the next test. Sydney is a wonderful opportunity for India to go 2-1 up and a good performance at Brisbane will ensure that we win the series.

Ravi Shastri’s hyperbole

Ravi Shastri, after the game was in his usual self. He called the win as one of the greatest comeback in world cricket. He better stop making such stupid statements which will invariably lead to complacency on the part of the players.

Problems still remain

Mayank Agarwal is set to be replaced with Rohit Sharma. Mayank has struggled on this tour and has become a walking wicket much like Prithvi Shaw. However, his replacement, Rohit Sharma does not inspire much confidence. Rohit is short of red ball practise for well over 8 months. He was supposedly injured during the IPL. He will be playing the next test not because he is indispensable but because there aren’t any better option. Pujara seems to have forgotten how to score runs. He seems to think that if he stays at the wicket for 30-40 overs he will score runs but that is wrong. He must actively look to score runs.

Pujara is not required to score boundaries every over, rather, he must concentrate on rotating strike. In big Australian grounds, singles and twos are always on the offer. He must realise that he is not someone who is playing in his first series. Rather, he is the most experienced and as such is expected to not only blunt the bowling but to score runs. Substantial contribution is required from him. Pujara puts enormous amount of pressure on himself and transfers that pressure to the others as well because of his slow batting.

Vihari is another who is really struggling. He stays at the wicket long enough but is faling to make use of the start. Rahul is likely to replace Vihari but Rahul as we all know is not test material. Rahul has had enough chances. Left to me, I will retain Vihari in the team. The pace bowling attack is extremely inexperienced even with the presence of Bumrah. In Umesh and Ishant’s absence, the choice is between Saini & Natarajan. I would prefer Natarajan because of the left arm angle and he might just be a better bowler than Saini who is known to leak runs.

The next couple of tests promises to be really tough for India. Smith has had such a lean series, he must be itching to score. Marnus will probably have the same feeling. With the expected return of Warner, the Aussies expect to get off to the typical aggressive start. Indian bowlers have so far kept the Aussie batsmen quiet but the Australians can be expected to come up with plans to counter that. So, the Indian coaching staff must have plan B ready just in case.

India’s dominance at home masks struggle outside favourable environs. Yes, this is certainly true of the Indian cricket team. India have been exceptionally dominant at home over the last 20 years. Not even Australia can claim to be that invincible at home and neither can England or South Africa. As for rest of the international sides, the less said the better. Such has been India’s dominance at home that Steve Waugh termed India as the last frontier.

A bit of statistics to prove the point

Since the beginning of the millennium, India have hosted all the countries and it includes Pakistan as well. This is across all the formats, Tests, ODIs and T20s. This is over 20 long years of international cricket at home. During this period, India have won 58 Tests and have lost just 12 in 97 games. That is an impressive record. If I have to take a look at the number of series played and won, it translates to 28 Wins, 3 Loss, 5 Drawn out of a total of 36 series. The win-loss ratio is almost 5. 4.83. This is nothing but outstanding record. Forget the number of games or series won, to lose only 3 series when Australia & South Africa were at their peak is just incredible.

During the same period, Australia have lost 5 series. 3 against South Africa, 1 each against India & England. England have lost 5 series as well. 1 each against Australia, India and incredibly, Sri Lanka and a couple against South Africa for a win-loss ratio of 2.52. South Africa have lost 7 series with Australia being their chief tormentor. New Zealand have lost 5 as well. So, all the top teams have a win-loss ratio of less than 3 at home over the last 20 years whereas India’s is upwards to 4. Here I am talking only about Test cricket because the limited overs games were way too many played during the period and it does not always show the real picture. This utter dominance at home seems to have affected the players, the board and the fans equally.

Effect on the board of such domination

The BCCI seems to be the biggest beneficiary of such a dominance at home. It is quite well known that the Indian cricket stadium are some of the biggest in terms of capacity though the grounds are smaller. Most of the grounds can easily accommodate 35K to 40K every day at a minimum. That is a huge number when compared to grounds in South Africa or England that can accommodate only upto 25K to 30K. Added to this, the following for the game in the country is enormous.

Every game may not be followed from the stadium but the number of viewers watching on TV and the number of fans who follow the game in social media is extremely high. Fans do love when India perform well and win games. A win actually motivates the followers to follow more games. There isn’t a bigger motivator for a fan to follow the game than accomplishments of the Indian national team.

For an Indian, who seldom gets to celebrate sporting achievements in other games and in multi-sporting events like Asian Games & Olympics, success in the cricket field satiates that desire. As a result, advertisers flock to the network to advertise their products and this ends in the board earning in millions. Unfortunately, the board does not seem to care about the status of the team amongst great teams of the past and present. They do not care if the team performs miserably outside Asia so long as it is eradicated from the memory of the fans. The board always ensures that a home series follows a tour to any of the SENA countries so that the Indian team can come back to winning ways and the performance in the previous tour is quickly forgotten.

Effect on the players

The effect on the Indian players because of such dominance at home is much more profound. The Indian batsmen score quite heavily against the opposition bowlers. In most of the games, the opposition either do not have bowlers who can take advantage of the prevailing conditions or they do not have enough quality in their attack. Take the case of Mayank Agarwal. Just before the Australian series in 2020, he had score a couple of double hundreds. This was against South Africa albeit at home. However, the same Agarwal is struggling against Australia in Australia. Same is the case with Prithvi Shaw. He scored a hundred on debut but is a sitting duck in Australia and New Zealand.

The Indians are super confident when they play in India against any kind of attack. They know that the ball will not raise dangerously and the opponents do not have excellent spinners either. Ofcourse, there were exceptions like the 2007 series against England when Swann & Panesar toyed with the Indian batting. In general, the opponents aren’t good enough to challenge the Indian batsmen in India. Added to that, the success of Ashwin, Jadeja, Kumble and other spinners and the not so good technique of the opposition against spin have ensured that the Indian team wins games rather easily.

The Indian team didn’t require a great deal of technique or perseverance to score runs or pick up wicket. This seems to have given the team a false sense of security or rather subconsciously, they know that the conditions will be far different to what they are used to in India and as a result neither is able to play freely nor is able to restrict the opposition to below the Indian team’s score.

Effect on the fans

The effect on the fans is rather soul crushing. Back in my childhood, 70s-90s, I never expected India to win outside the country. Mainly, because they were never this dominant at home. However,from the beginning of the millennium because of the dominance showed by the Indian team, all of us started to increase our expectations. Even a test win outside of India was considered extraordinary. Then came series wins in Sri Lanka, West Indies and Pakistan and a few wins in England & New Zealand. Miraculously, India won the 2007 series in England and expectations increased manifold. Now, India was not only expected to compete but win series in the SENA countries.

Alas, it wasn’t to be. Post 2007 was a traumatic period for every Indian fan. Successive losses and humiliating at that in the SENA countries brought us down from our pedestal. After the debilitating lowest score at Adelaide, we have been firmly brought to the ground. Perhaps, the Indian team achieved the success in early 2000s because of once in a lifetime players who played at the same time. It is time we the fans reduce our expectation and set them firmly in the pre-2000 era.

Others topics related to Indian cricket can be read here, here, here and here.

The Indian team must be completely deflated after the thrashing in the first test at Adelaide. It is extremely tough even for a hardened team like Australia or South Africa to come out of such a drubbing. For a team like India, who isn’t that tough physically or mentally, it is close to impossible. Such will be the effect of the humiliation at Adelaide. Having said that, is it even possible for the Indian team to compete during the rest of the series? Let me analyse the Indian team’s psyche for the rest of the series.

A few forced changes

The Indian team has been forced to make a couple of changes for the rest of the series. Virat Kohli is back in India for his child’s birth and Mohammed Shami has a fractured forearm. These are 2 big shoes that is impossible to fill in such a short time. A technically flawed opener and inexperienced or inadequate replacements. A batsman who can play for 60 overs but will score at 20. A captain who is in the team for I don’t know why. Vihari will probably be replaced as well. Does the Indian team have enough quality in reserve?

Who are the likely replacements?

Rahul, Shubnam Gill, Siraj, Saini, Jadeja & Pant are the candidates will are likely to be in contention. Assuming that Mayank Agarwal will retain his spot, I will have Vihari open the innings. Rahul will replace Kohli though I do not rate him as a test batsman. Shubnam Gill being young and likely to make his debut in difficult circumstances, will have to bat at 6. Though I am a big supporter of Saha, I will still have him replaced with Pant. It really is not clear how the selectors did not think of picking any middle order batsman. They have packed the team with 4 openers.

In bowling, both Saini & Siraj are unproven and Umesh despite his 4^th tour of Australia, is not proven himself at the top level. This leaves just Bumrah as the frontline quick. Of Saini & Siraj, Siraj appears to have much more control and slightly more experienced at the first class level. I will have Shami and Umesh to be replaced with Siraj & someone from out of the squad. Natarajan. He is a left armer and bowls at the same pace as the rest with a good yorker. Ofcourse, I am not saying that he will be a success but he will not be any worse than the replacements.

Ravi Shastri’s over confidence ahead of the tour

“We have a fabulous five,” Ravi Shastri was quoted as saying by Sportstar ahead of this series. “[Umesh] Yadav has the experience. Saini is young and fast. Bumrah one of the best in business. [Mohammed] Shami is raring to go. Siraj is an exciting prospect. You put up runs on the board and watch these fast bowlers hunt the opposition. They can beat Australia in their own den.”

At the end one test, the familiar sight of unable to dismiss the tail showing up again, Shastri’s tall claims sounds extremely hollow. In Kohli’s absence, the Indian team will be lucky to score even 250. Hence, Shastri will do well to talk less because purely based on merit, Shastri’s performance as a coach leaves a lot to be desired. The same holds true for Kohli as well who has had a series of loss in all the major cricketing nations.

The Indian cricket team crashed to its lowest test score. This is such a huge embarrassment for the entire nation. All of us, the Indian fans are left utterly humiliated by this abject surrender. The meltdown was so shocking that after a few minutes, despair gave way to laughter and anger. This ineptness could be dismissed as one off but it is not possible because this is pretty regular though not the lowest score type but sub-standard batting. Truly, a disgrace called the Indian cricket team.

There have been lots of articles written in the aftermath of the such a shoddy performance. However, that is not enough. More will have to be written, spoken in the media because such has been the let-down. Losing is part of the game but absolutely no one can accept losing so tamely. There wasn’t any fight amongst the Indian batsmen.

Situation of Indian cricket

The situation is rather alarming and because of India’s wins at home and in the West Indies and Sri Lanka, the team’s ineptness does not get the scrutiny that it deserve. India never had a side that is capable of leave alone winning but competing in countries outside of the sub-continent. We were always lambs to the slaughter. If India’s win in England in 1971, 1986 & in West Indies in 1975 is still being talked about, it is because they were extremely rare. Until the 1990s, fans were also satisfied with whatever wins that they can get but everything changed with the advent of liberalisation and the millions the cricketers started to earn. Now, the expectation was to not only compete but to win and win consistently. Not only Tests but series as well.

Saurav Ganguly, the current BCCI president, took lot of efforts to build a team that is capable of competing in every country. He had trusted confidantes in Tendulkar, Dravid, Kumble, Laxman and a few young ones. He did build a successful test side. India were able to win consistently in several countries with the drawn and the series win against England in the 2000s as the highlight alongwith the drawn series in Australia. It certainly seemed like Indian cricket has finally turned a corner and better days are ahead. During this period, we also won series in the West Indies which was impossible before. Once that golden generation moved on, the Indian test team nosedived again.

Failure to consistently post scores above 400

It has been more than 10 years since India have either drawn or won a series in the top countries like England, Australia, South Africa & New Zealand. How can we win if the batsmen fail to score more than 400 in the first innings consistently? Forget about scoring 400, the number of times the team was bowled out for below 200 is also alarming. Just a cursory look at statistics over the last 10 years in the SENA countries will reveal the true picture and it is scary.

The above table tells its own story. Not even in 50% of the innings the team were able to score more than 400 runs in either of the innings. If this is the case, the batsmen have failed miserably. The overhyped Pujara & Rahane have not really and for that matter even Kohli have failed to perform consistently. The openers are non-existent. It is no wonder India weren’t able to even compete on an equal footing with the opposition.

India’s record in SENA

During the same period, India have lost series consistently in all the above countries. Some of them were humiliating. India’s record in England is pathetic. 4-0, 3-1 & 4-1. Consecutive 2-0 humiliation in New Zealand. Another consecutive 2-1 loss in South Africa. Except for the Smithless win against Australia in 2018, we were hammered in Australia with the latest being the 36 ignominy. Atleast this will wake up the ICC and they will want to completely overhaul the ranking system and make teams like India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka incapable of becoming number one until the prove consistent across all the countries.

Support staff must be under probation

With such results over the last 10 years, the role of the support staff of Shastri, Sridhar & Jaffer must be questioned. Infact, Sridhar must certainly be replaced or the role itself must be done away with altogether. He must be asked to answer lot of tough questions because the fielding of the Indians is only slightly better than Pakistan who is known as the worst fielders. Jaffer though new to the role can be given time till end of the series.

The big mouthed coach, must explain the continued series loss in all the major countries over the last 10-12 years. It is time for him to be replaced. The analyst, I don’t even know why is he still there. The Indian bowlers have more than 20 times have let the lower order flourish and yet have not found a way to get the cheaply. All of them must be placed under probation for a period of not more than one month.

Indian bowlers must bat

It is time the Indian bowlers learn to bat. They will not only be able to add to the meagre score and give themselves something to bowl with but it will also ensure that the opponent bowlers are on the field for that much longer. In a lengthy series, this will prove quite handy. If the series comes down to the final test, the set of bowlers who are much more fresher is likely to give that team a winning chance. The Indian bowlers must realise this. In the Adelaide test, the lower order in the first innings hardly played 5-6 overs. If only they could have extended that to 25-30 overs, the Indian team could have added another 50 runs and would have also ensured that the trio of Starc, Cummins & Hazlewood are much more tired.

Positive batting

The Indians are being over defensive and lack confidence when facing top quality fast bowling. The Indian batsmen must look at scoring runs against fast bowling. They do not have to score at 80 or 90 but even a strike rate of 55-60 will move the score along and give much needed confidence to them.

Reminder of the series

The thrashing in the first test means that the Indian team will be completely demoralised. With Kohli, the top scorer in the first innings missing as well, the Indians do not seem to have anyone to score runs. Leave alone 400, the team will be lucky to cross 250 in any of the remaining innings. Pujara can play 60 overs and add 60 runs. Rahane will hardly play any. Gill, Vihari and the openers may not add that many. It probably is better if India drop all the bowlers and have 11 batsmen and try to draw the games rather than lose horribly.

Other related articles can be read here, here and here.