Towards the end of the year, I saw multiple cricket related websites who have reviewed the year for each country. Some of them indetail and some of them on a high level. That is when I thought that I must also review the gains and losses for every team. I will start with Indian performance review of 2022. It has been a mixed year for India. They can boast of favourable win/loss record but faltered repeatedly in important games.
India outside of home
India were very much favoured to win their first series in South Africa. Afterall, South Africa are not the same potent force they were under Smith or even Faf du Plessis. They were extremely fragile, low on experience and confidence and were ripe for the taking. Having won the first test comfortably, it looked like the series was going according to the script but something changed towards the turn of the year. South Africa with their bowling began to crawl their way into the series. Debutant Marco Jansen alongwith India’s nemesis, Ngidi and Rabadda were relentless in attack. The Indian batsmen, most of whom were out not scoring runs for over 3 years found the mode suffocating. Mayank Agarwal, Kohli, Pujara and Rahane were like lambs to the slaughterhouse. Rahul, after the hundred, was back to his usual self. Pant & Jadeja was the exceptions.
Bowling was even worse with Bumrah incapable of raising himself in the 4th innings repeatedly. Ashwin was a shadow of his Asia self. Rahul’s captaincy was listless. He did not look like he wanted to lead and let things drift along. He looked like he wanted to be anywhere but on a cricket field. Eventually, due to a combination of horrendous batting, lack of penetrating bowling and ordinary captaincy, the series was lost 1-2. Would India be able to win a series in South Africa having failed against an average side?
The series ended with Ashwin, Kohli and Rahul yelling at the stump mic. They must have been banned for atleast a year for their rude behaviour but somehow escaped.
The ODI series was another disaster in that India lost 0-3. The series clearly showed that Rahul is not captaincy material and yet, the Indian selectors continue to make him de facto captain.
The England fiasco
A further embarrassment awaited India when Bairstow and Root chased down a stiff target of 387 like a stroll in the park. It was a thrashing unlike any. None of the Indian bowlers were effective. Indian batsmen failed in the 2nd innings by posting a sub-par total which ensured that England had to chase 100-150 runs less than what they must have. Nonetheless, 387 was still a stiff target but Bumrah once again failed when it mattered the most. It was the 5th instance over the last couple of years when Bumrah failed to bowl the team to victory in the 4th innings despite a few favourable conditions. A golden opportunity to win the series was lost quite easily. In hindsight, perhaps, India could have completed the series in 2021 itself rather than run into a red-hot England.
Home season
Normal service resumed once the team landed in the country. Promptly, the team went onto wallop hapless New Zealand and Sri Lanka. Winning at home is nowadays taken for granted. India is expected to win against tougher opponents. New Zealand and Sri Lanka are no match for India in India. As such, these wins were par for course.
The T20 debacle
Not once but twice India failed to win a multi-team tournament. First, it was the Asia Cup and then the World Cup. In both the tournaments, the attitude of the batsmen came to the fore. Afraid to take chances and bat aggressively at the top, the team sort of became a laughing stock of the entire cricketing world. The 10 wicket flogging at the World Cup semi-final was beyond embarrassing. It showed how far behind is India when it comes to white ball cricket. Once again, it was Rahul who proved a liability at the top with his cautious batting.
Outstanding player of the year
Unfortunately, none. Rahul, Rohit, Kohli, Pujara, Rahane, Bumrah, Ashwin, Jadeja were ever absent and were the primary reason for a India’s abysmal year. Pant and Surya Yadav comes close but they were not multi-format players.
Notable newcomer
Again, none. Shreyas Iyer enhanced his reputation of a good spin batsman but his struggle against the bouncing ball is prevalent.
Multiple captains & coach’s position
Throughout the year, the selectors juggled with multiple captains. Rohit, Rahul, Dhawan, Bumrah, Pant & Hardik. Far too many captains over a single calendar year. Rohit’s frequent lack of fitness was exposed. The selectors were quite confused for the whole year and were rightly jettisoned. Too many captains destabilised the team and as a result, they were rudderless. As for Rahul Dravid, he seems like a man without any idea and a man who is unlikely to inspire a turnaround. Far too many losses for his liking. The captain Dravid knew when his time was finished but it seems the coach Dravid still wants to continue.
Wrapping up Indian performance review for 2022
2022 was a disaster for India looking from multiple angles and 2023 does not promise to be any better. The Indian board and the players will have a good time playing in IPL when all injuries, tiredness and need for rest will be forgotten which will return when they play for India.