Well, looking at the current Indian teams across the formats, one is forced to think that the Indian selectors have indeed blundered. The Indian cricket team is beset with problems but there does not seem to be any solution. Either the selectors themselves were unwilling to effect changes for the betterment of the team or they are clueless. Either way, it is Indian cricket that is at a loss. Let me elaborate on has the Indian selectors blundered?
There is growing concern among the Indian fans that the entire team is ageing together and that the performances have gone down by several notches. However, the selectors doesn’t seem to have thought about replacing these players thereby keeping the future secured. Several years ago, in the 1980s, Australia, with the retirements of most of the great cricketers, suffered enormously and because of that, lost games frequently. It took them more than 6 years to become the Australia that they eventually turned out to be. Similar fate awaits India if the selectors refuse to act soon.
Over the hill batsmen
It is quite clear for everyone watching the game that both Pujara and Rahane were over the hill sometime ago. Their performances consistently degraded over several years. Unfortunately, Kohli too was in the same rut when both Pujara and Rahane were undergoing slump in form. Added to that, Rahul’s poor run during the same period meant that India more often than not, posted scores that were not that competitive. If not for Pant to a large extent and Rohit and Jadeja to a lesser extent, India would have fallen short of the required runs repeatedly. Despite that, India still won a couple of series in Australia and drew one in England.
Yet, at the sametime, we lost multiple series in South Africa and New Zealand. Winning anywhere else does not really count nowadays because India is expected to win in all those countries.
Winning in the SENA countries is what makes every Indian fan happy and satisfied. Thankfully, the bowlers were good during this lean period and that was the reason for India winning some games.
Does India have the batsmen for the WTC Finals?
Now, to comeback to the original problem. What was the reason the Indian selectors did not think of replacing Pujara or Rahane or Rahul during their poor run of form? I can only think that by giving them an extended run, they will eventually find form. This logic sounds alright when one or at the most a couple of batsmen struggle but for 4 batsmen to struggle at the sametime, changes must have been made. The selectors must have atleast replaced Rahane and Rahul much earlier with Kohli and Pujara given an extended run.
With the WTC just a couple of months away, the Indian Test team looks brittle. Shubman Gill has not been given a consistent run and Shreyas with his poor technique against the bouncers has been persisted with, though he is alright in India. It looks like the selectors were more than happy to rotate few batsmen by playing them at different positions. No effort has been taken to prepare a couple of solid middle order batsmen who can learn from Kohli and takeover even when he is still playing.
What about the bowlers?
Who after Ashwin and Jadeja? Some might say Axar Patel but is he really that good a bowler to be able to pick up wickets everywhere? He was hardly among the wickets in the recently concluded series against Australia. Just 3 wickets in 4 Tests on spinning pitches. He cannot be the replacement for either Ashwin or Jadeja.
What about the fast bowlers? Siraj has emerged but what about Umesh Yadav who despite playing for more than 10 years, is still unable to find a permanent spot in the team. What is the need to persist with him? It is commendable of the selectors to have dropped Ishant Sharma who learned the game at the highest level but where are the replacements? Every team, it is the usual bowlers. Shami, Siraj, Umesh & Bumrah. Does it mean that India suffers from lack of good quality fast bowlers who can replace some of them?
The over dependence on Bumrah is likely to bite the team on the back. Without him, the Indian fast bowling attack looks barren. Ofcourse, Rahane produced a miracle with bowlers who made their debut in that series but Rohit is not that inspiring as captain.
White ball cricket
The situation is not that different in white ball cricket either. IPL commenced in 2007 and yet, India is still playing the game in the 1990s mould. Every team tries to maximise the scoring during the field restriction in the initial overs but India consolidates during that period. No effort has been taken to introduce batsmen who will not be afraid to play his shots right at the outset. Ofcourse, I cannot blame the selectors alone for this because the team management is equally responsible. T20 cricket just cannot be played in that fashion. Every time before a new series gets underway, the team management talks about new wave of batting but in the end, it is the same old story.
Wrapping up has the Indian selectors blundered?
The Indian selection committee must have a vision. A vision that must keep players ready for any eventuality. If not, they are not fit to be selectors. At the moment, they have fallen well short. The WTC finals will be upon us in 2 months and the ODI World Cup in another 6 months. The Indian team for both the tournaments are one, way short of confidence. Two, is exceptionally brittle. Three, far too circumspect.
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