Squarely blame the BCCI

The G Boxing Day Test is done and dusted. Australia prevailed because of some insipid batting by India. They definitely did not perform on a superior level. It was the mindless, stupid Indian batting and the lack of support for Bumrah, the cause of the heavy defeat. The players are to be blamed. There is no doubt about that but the bigger blame lies with the BCCI. I am really surprised that no one is talking about BCCI and everytime, they get away easily. With the resources available for BCCI, India must be having 2-3 teams for every format and they all must be dominating the game. Why aren’t we doing that? It is because of the BCCI.

This wasn’t a Test that India must have lost. Infact, a draw would have been the ideal outcome. The pitch became a batting beauty on all the days. Nathan Lyon and Scott Boland for Australia, survived on that pitch for more than 15 overs. Yes, there was occasional deliveries that reared from a good length but they were few and far between. It required determination and temperament, as was showcased by Labuschagne. It was a pitch where survival wasn’t so tough. Yet, India found ways to get out.

The mindless running from Jaiswal began the proceedings. Yes, it was his call but the fielder was way too close to the wicket than a usual mid-off fielder is. There wasn’t a run. Kohli could have sacrificed his wicket because if at all anyone was to score runs, among the two, it was Jaiswal. If Jaiswal’s runout in the first innings was terrible, what followed was even more outrageous. Rishabh Pant.

Pant’s glaring failure

Four years ago, it was Pant who was the hero for an entire nation. Four years hence, it is Pant, who has become the villain. Pant’s failure in this series, has been defining. He is yet to score a 50 in 7 innings. When a team plays with 5 batsmen, the role of the wicket-keeper becomes enormous. He is expect to score runs not just because he is talented but he can. Pant had the perfect setting to make a grand impact. What did he do? He went for an ugly hoick to a delivery that was too full and that was nowhere near the shot tha he attempted.

Sunil Gavaskar, on air was livid. He called Pant stupid several times and rightly so. It is another matter that Gavaskar chose to look past the same ugly shot played by Rohit. Pant seems to have taken his spot for granted. If that is the case, it is time, he needs to be punished. At Sydney, he must come in at number 7 or later. He must be told that his sudden bursts of stupidity is costing the team dearly. You do not play such ungainly shots when the team is in serious trouble.

Here he showed admirable restraint. It is not that he cannot play such a game. It is just that he does not want to. More than 15 overs of circumspection suddenly gave way to a moment of madness, again, top edging an almighty heave when there were fielders posted on the boundary. Twice in this Test, Pant showed that he must be least trusted. It is time to demote him in the batting order.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kolhi

Indians are tired and frustrated with this duo. How many more failures can they be allowed? Rohit Sharma has a highest score of 62 in Australia with an average less than 20. Yet, he is the opening batsman. Even a Dennis Lillee, at the age of 70+ will be easily able to pick up his wicket. As for Kohli, he has emphatically shown that he is highly indisciplined and insubordinate and do not wish to change his game. Kohli has become utterly arrogant despite years of non-performance. The shoulder barge of Konstas was another instance of his arrogance.

Ashwin who was the best brain in the team, never became the captain but has now retired. Why is Rohit and Kohli still clinging on? The day these two useless cricketers announce their retirement, it will feel like good riddance.

Siraj is another who seems to think that his mouth will fetch wickets and not his bowling. He always has something to say to anyone and everyone. If he is like this when not doing anything worthwhile, how will he be if he actually perform?

Coming onto the board

The BCCI is responsible for this loss. This board is determined to destroy the image of the nation. They are not worried that the Indian team is neither respected nor scared. Any loss does not bother the BCCI at all because they are busy making money from every toilet seat. No first class game before the first Test, playing some meaningless games throughout the year, an IPL that is glorified but the nation has won only one T20 World Cup since the IPL’s inception. Series loss at home, another series loss looming. Nothing will affect the BCCI. It is a body that has been headed by many people who would not even know the difference between a batsman and a bowler.

It is a shame that this is the board that is flush with money which in the hands of Australian, English, South African or New Zealand boards, their teams will be the best in the world forever.

Wrapping up squarely blame the BCCI

In a way, the Melbourne loss is welcome. Some careers like that of Kohli and Rohit will end and some careers like Siraj and Gill will be stalled.

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