The BGT completed

After about 1.5 months, another edition of the Border Gavaskar Trophy has been completed with Australia emerging victorious. Both the teams were mediocre to say the least because of quality of cricket was of low standard. Sure enough, the pitches were tough but a little bit of application would have made the series a much more enjoyable affair. However, neither team possess the sort of batsmen who are capable of overcoming the conditions and elevating himself to the higher echelons of the game. Smith and Head scored hundreds but they were interspersed with too many low scores. Same was the case with Jaiswal. With the BGT completed, it is time for introspection. Australia will be happier of the two sides because they have less reason to worry about.

Australia’s next Test will be the Sri Lankan series before the WTC final at Lord’s against South Africa. Based on past evidence, South Africa will have tough time to overcome the drought of ICC trophy. If at all there is one team that can defeat Australia in England, it is England and they have not qualified. More about that later but for now, it is time to reflect on the series that just finished.

Exceeded expectations?

Did India overachieve? One could say so, especially after the humiliation against New Zealand at home. Everyone before the start of the series, expected a thorough mauling. India were expected to lose 0-5. However, what transpired at Perth, surprised even the most die-hard fans of the team. However, things went downhill rather quickly from Perth. While Australia found someone to take charge whenever they found themselves at a spot of bother, India found none.

That was where the series was decided. This wasn’t a clash between the best teams in the world but between two teams who were equal in ability. It shows how the quality of the game has fallen. Is it because of the pitches that favour the bowlers a lot more than earlier? Or, is it a case of too much exposure to T20 which has scuttled the technique of the batsmen? One can never really know but one thing is certain. Test batting is not the same during the last several years.

Positives for India

Runs from the blade of Jaiswal. Prior to the start of the series, Jaiswal was talked about as someone who is yet to prove himself outside of India. He did play in a couple of Tests in South Africa but those pitches were spicier than anything Australia could have rolled. Australia was his litmus test. His reputation preceded his arrival in Australia. Nathan Lyon spoke to the England spinner Tom Hartley to understand Jaiswal. It is safe to assume that he came out of the series, even if not with flying colours, as someone who can be trusted to score runs on pitches were the ball bounces.

The twin 80s at Melbourne were better than the hundred at Perth. If not for that ill-judged single, he could have registered a second hundred for the series which would have been unprecedented. Jaiswal should have avoided the poke at Starc because he repeatedly fell to Starc afterwards. It is onething to talk something to the opposition but if you get out to the same bowler, it will make you look foolish. Nevertheless, Jaiswal asserted himself quite well and hopefully, he will not become another Gill.

Nitish Reddy

Nitish Reddy is another who can be termed as a find from the tour. Sure, he is not yet qualified to be batting in the top 5 but he is quite young with the world as his oyster. The Melbourne hundred under serious pressure showcased his ability as a batsman. His bowling needs to grow a lot if he wants to be considered an allrounder. Only problem is that Indians when they focus on one aspect, they tend to underplay the other aspect of their game. Ashwin who had an healthy average during his initial years, focussed more on his bowling and thereby neglected his batting.

As a result, he could not find a spot whenever India went abroad. Nitish must decide what he wants to become. If he could bowl at 135KMPH and improve as a batsman too, India will find in Nitish a cricketer who will play for the nation for a very longtime. Perhaps, when Jacques Kallis comes to India, I do not know whether he is part of any coaching staff, Nitish can discuss with him as to how to develop as both a batsman and as a bowler. Who better than Kallis could answer the question?

Rahul is another who can be counted among the positives. I am among the bitter critic of Rahul. I have often said that Rahul’s place is in the middle order in ODI & T20 cricket. He must not be considered for Test cricket at all. However, in this series, he has shown that he can handle the best of the conditions for the bowlers and come out on top. It cannot be said that Rahul was a runaway success but there were some innings on tough pitches where he showed a lot of mettle. It was his partnership with Jaiswal at Perth that paved the way for the Indian win.

Wrapping up the BGT completed

India is usually known to surrender the advantage gained in the first innings by a lacklustre second innings. This has happened often in the past and also at Sydney. However, at Perth, Rahul ensured a mega opening partnership did not forfeit the advantage that was gained by Bumrah’s brilliant bowling though the others chipped in with wickets. Perhaps, the time has come for Rahul to be given an extended run at the top of the order. The next series is in England where the pitches if not as spicier as Australia, will have some carry. Rahul will again be called upon to blunt the new ball and to lay a foundation.