New Delhi: The Indian men’s cricket team has come under scrutiny after the recent setback. Things have veered from lauding the intent after the Kanpur maniac against Bangladesh to being reduced in tatters in Mumbai on November 3, 2024. Rohit Sharma and his men are under subjugation after the obliteration from one of the unfancied visiting teams in New Zealand.
In the thousands of predictions by experts, pundits, fans, cricketers or the layman, not even an iota of percentage favoured the Black Caps to win a Test match, let alone sweeping the series in India. For a team, in their past 12 visits since 1955, with just two wins in 36 matches, it was always going to be a task to cut out, particularly when their most experienced batter (Kane Williamson) was not fully fit to play.
But what fold up in the three-match series last month, Tom Latham and his troops dropped bombshells one after another with each match concluding. In Bengaluru, New Zealand exposed India’s temperament in the overcast conditions to register their first Test win in India in 36 years. Then they foiled India in their most potential gameplan of preparing rank-turner in Pune. Mitchell Santner inflicted India’s batting collapse in both the innings to register his first two maiden five-wicket hauls as the visitors clinched their first Test series in India.
Despite doing the unthinkable, India were deemed favourites to finish the series with a consolation win. But New Zealand weren’t ready to surrender mentally and pressured India even in the low-key chase of 147 on a square-turner in Mumbai. It took a first whitewash in 91 years of Test history for Indian batters to understand that they aren’t equipped to play against quality spin.
New Zealand spinners Ajaz Patel and Glenn Phillips didn’t do anything extraordinary in Mumbai. All they did was stick with their lines even when they were being taken to the cleaners by Rishabh Pant. It was the Indian defensive frailty that worked for the men from Down Under.
For India, the spot for World Test Championship final is getting out of their grasp. With just one last bilateral series left in the store, the Asian giants have to win at least four out of the five Test matches to book the berth in their third consecutive summit clash. It is an arduous task but not impossible as India have tested themselves in similar situations in the past.
India’s litmus test
A lot of pondering will be required by head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Rohit Sharma to put the most constructive strategies on the whiteboard. Team selection has to be the base of all. The fact that the squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy just before the start of the third Test, last-minute changes should be in contemplation given that players who can play under the bouncy and pacey conditions will be most reliable.
India have six pace bowling options this time, including young all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, who is yet to wear his Test cap. Players who can counter the short ball can survive the lethal spells from Australian quick guns. India will also have to learn from their mistakes from the previous tour. An early collapse (observed in Adelaide) should be avoided.
This time the scenario is different and Australia have more stronger purpose to hurt them rather than reclaiming the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Here’s where senior players who have visited the Oceanian nation will have to take the onus. Just like Ajinkya Rahane led from the front in Melbourne to level the series 1-1 last time, the senior batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, though out of form at the moment, can make amendments to their career with valuable contributions. A failure will only raise alarming bells over their future after both players averaged nearly 16 in the New Zealand Tests.
Adapting should be in focus
The adaptability will be key. Something Indians couldn’t work on despite changing conditions in the last two games. Players should assess the pitch conditions beforehand and the batting approach should move with a canter according to the required situation. One cannot show ultra aggressive approach in the name of scoring runs at free-wheel.
Mohammed Siraj has the experience to join senior man Jasprit Bumrah in the pace attack thanks to the leadership role he donned in Brisbane three years ago. The likes of Sarfaraz Khan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, and Yashasvi Jaiswal will put their first foot on Down Under to play Tests there. It is a virtual make-it-or-break opportunity for these players.
India has called off the practice match against India A team, which is currently facing Australia A. There should be some practice matches re-arranged for players, touring for the first time, to get acclimatise to the alienated conditions.
India’s real character test will be decided in their team strategies and the rest will be only the execution part. They have shown the world that Australia can be defeated in their own backyard with a second-string side. Another win can reclaim the supremacy of the Indian side after the shambolic show against New Zealand.
