The Indian team for the short limited overs series against Sri Lanka has been announced. Though I feel that this is an unwanted and completely pointless series, it will offer some players opportunities to stake their claim. The Indian selectors have made their intentions clear. In the shortest format atleast. Hardik Pandya will lead the team with the old guard paving way for younger and fresher legs. After the series of debacles at the 2021 World T20, Asia Cup and 2022 World T20, this was more or less expected. The country was clamouring for a change of personnel and the selectors have obliged. It remains to be seen whether this team will remain intact till the next T20 World Cup in 2024. My analysis about the Indian team for the Sri Lankan series.
The T20 squad
Rohit Sharma, Rahul and Kohli are all out of the T20 squad. This was much expected. None of them are expected to be around in 2024. One, in the case of Rohit and Kohli their age though Rahul is not that old. Two, the sameness of all the 3 batsmen. The selectors in their wisdom have kept Rahul in the team and have even elevated him to captaincy for way too long. They must have realised their folly and have attempted to change their ways. Better late than never. All the 3 are past their prime in T20. They just do not have the game for that format. Especially Rahul.
Though Kohli scored his first hundred in 2021 in that format and was the most successful batsman in the 2022 T20 World Cup, his inability to strike the ball from the moment he enters the field must surely go against him. Cricket is not the same as was played even during the early part of this millennium. England have revolutionised white ball cricket and it is better India catch up with them. Otherwise, we are in danger of being left behind.
Hardik with responsibility
Hardik Pandya, who won his very first IPL as captain, though this should not be a criteria, assumes the captaincy role. One can only hope that the selectors stick to their instinct and do not bring back Rohit and Rahul into the T20 side. India do not possess express fast bowlers in the mould of Pakistan and hence, the batsmen will have to post a huge total for the bowlers to defend. Inorder to do that, they will need batsmen who are not afraid of playing their shots. In Hardik, Ishan, Surya & Samson, they have batsmen who are unlikely to hold themselves.
A couple of glaring inclusions is that of Shubnam Gill & Sundar. Both of them are not at all fit for T20 cricket and Gill is in the mould of Rohit or Rahul. It is better they are not thought of as a T20 cricketer. He is needed for much bigger responsibilities in Test & ODI. In the case of Sundar, he can become a proper top-order batsman if he is allowed to develop properly.
The ODI squad
Now, after so many disappointments over the last 3 years, one can say that this was on the expected lines. However, the bigger news lies in the fact despite Rahul’s presence in the ODI squad, it is Hardik Pandya who has been chosen as Rohit’s deputy. Unless Rohit wins the ODI 2022 World Cup, he is likely to be replaced with Pandya. There is also the small matter of his fitness. He has missed most of the games in 2021 and 2022 owing to some injury or the other and there is the small matter of his age. He is about to be 36 and his lack of fitness will only mean that his international days are numbered. Rohit himself may announce his retirements from all forms after the World Cup.
Elevating Hardik to the vice-captaincy position is a welcome move. The team needs younger and more fitter and flamboyant characters at the helm. Hardik has already lost few years of his career due to injury. He must be raring to make up for lost time.
Shikar Dhawan’s omission did not merit mention at all anywhere. At his age, he has become slow and his run scoring ability has diminished. Perhaps, it would have been better if he was informed that the Bangladesh series was his last and that he must announce retirement.
Wrapping up Indian team for the Sri Lankan series
Let us the Indian team supporters hope that a new year and a new captain will bring in the much needed luck to win world championships.