As some of us know, one set of Indian players were involved in the 2nd T20 game against Australia in Sydney. At the sametime, in another ground in Sydney, the Indian A team was involved in a game against Australia. With a bench strength of more than 20 players, it is possible to allocate a set of players for the T20 and another set of players for the first class game. What however must be noted from the Indian perspective is that not everyone who are likely to be part of the first test were part of the practise game. Also, the BCCI, have planned to expand the IPL 2021 with the addition of 2 more teams. Whether this is going to help or otherwise, let me analyse.
Importance of practise games
Any tour that is outside of a team’s comfort zone requires the team to be involved in a series of practise games prior to the start of the first test. This will not only help the team to acclimatise to the changed weather and the different timezone but will also help in adjusting to the pace and bounce of the wickets in that country. All over the world, the pitches in one country does not change drastically. They are more or less the same. The importance of practise games increases manifold when the opposition is a top team and is ranked at the top of the rankings. The two practise games that are scheduled for India must be approached along these lines.
The Indian team for the first practise game
Naturally, one would expect the Indian team to take these games seriously and ensure that whoever is slated to play the first test is certainly part of these games. Unfortunately, the Indian team though considers these games as an important preparation exercise, chose to rest or not play certain players who would have gained valuable experience before the first test at Adelaide.
Mayank Agarwal, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami & to certain extent, Navdeep Saini are guaranteed starters in the first test. However, none of them were part of the first practise game. Granted, these players will certainly play the second practise game but in the absence of longer duration game in general and red ball cricket in particular for more than 6 months, to get two consecutive games just before an important test is like a boon. The Indian team management must have realised that and must have ensured that their best 11 plays in both the games.
Players like Tyagi, Siraj are certainly not part of the overall scheme of things. If Ishant Sharma returns, these players will not in the mix even for the final test. I do agree that the fringe players must be given chances to prove their worth but that is not now. In the absence of regular international cricket and before an important series which has the potential to remove a stigma on the Indian team of not winning outside the country, first preference must be given to the players to who will be part of the first test.
The opening gambit
I do agree that a partner for Mayank Agarwal is necessary to be found in these games and as such one of Prithvi Shaw or Shubnam Gill must play to give them exposure and also to help the management to decide who is more deserving to open alongside Agarwal. Rahane, Pujara & Vihari have not played the game for a very longtime and there is no spot to accommodate Agarwal. It is true. However, Agarwal could have replaced one of the bowlers. Traditionally, the Indian batsmen have struggled in Australia. Hence, batsmen must be given as much time in the middle as possible. With Shaw’s and Gill’s failure, the team management is not any closer to finding a partner for Agarwal.
This Australian tour is the very last opportunity for quite a few players like Kohli, Rahane, Pujara, Ishant, Ashwin etc to accomplish what none of the other Indian teams have ever achieved. Defeat a full strength Australian team in their own country. The opportunity must not be squandered.
Performance of the Indian team so far in the practise game
Though not much is required to be read in the manner of the team’s performance, there are certain things that must worry any captain. Gill & Shaw’s failure, especially, Shaw’s who technique is so poor. The number of times he got out because of poor technique is quite a lot. He must be sent back to Ranji cricket for 4-5 years and made to work on his numerous flaws. Pujara & Rahane did spend valuable amount of time in the middle.
The Australian bowling attack is a decent one if not a spectacular one and every effort must be made to derive the most out of it. In terms of bowling, the age-old problem of flourishing tail has come back to haunt the Indians. It is astonishing that the Indian team is still unable to find an answer for this even against club sides. Kohli, Shastri & the wider support staff must explain to the public for this continuous problem.
Umesh Yadav has once again given everyone a false sense of hope by picking up a couple of early wickets. It must be remembered that Yadav has had his chances and has blown them away. Nothing must be read into this performance of his and he must not be brought back. Let the team management decide between Saini and Siraj.
My gut feeling
I somehow feel that the team management have decided to go into the first test with Kuldeep Yadav instead of Ashwin or Jadeja. With the Adelaide game being a day-night affair, it is a foregone conclusion that the 11 will consist of 6 batsmen and 4 bowlers with Saha. A wrist spinner will be much more effective than a finger spinner. Ashwin can bat but it should not be important with 6 batsmen. The question must be is Ashwin or Jadeja capable of taking wickets to choose the lone spinner.
Other articles related to the Australian tour can be read here, here, here, here & here.
