India Aiming at World Cup
India aiming at World Cup
It
has been 9 years now, India winning in any ICC events. Since then Indian team
has been a super power in world cricket. We are amongst in the top 3 of ICC
rankings in every format. Our performance in bilateral series has been excellent,
both in home and away series. If we look at the reasons, barring all of those,
one reason will be high-lighted most i.e. constantly failure of our players in
crunch matches like knock-out games. We always play superbly in league games
but that one bad day came in Semi-finals or Finals.
It
is not like that, we haven’t got failures in the past but there are glories
also. And in those time we are not that much super power, like what we are
right now. Even the standard of other teams like- South Africa, West Indies,
Sri Lanka, Pakistan etc. decreased a bit due to transition. But in our case, we
have a smooth transition. There are huge no of backups for every player are
ready for our team. And that’s why if we are not performing well in the big
stages, we are letting our country down.
What
to Look at the T20 WC 2022?
Post
T20 WC 2021, The Rohit-Rahul era started and done well for team India,
especially in T20Is. But performing well in bilateral not new to us. All eyes
is on the WC this year in Australia. The mission is set for the next big event.
But before that we have got a setback in the Asia Cup. Considering the power
and strength we had it was obvious that we could have won it or reached at
least the finals. But failing to both the expectations, hurts the fans really.
Also it has created a little doubt on the preparation for the WC among the fans
and team.
Well,
we are at that stage where we can’t lose the momentum going into the WC. But
this failure has gave us a dent in our progress. But the series win against
Australia and South Africa at home provided much needed momentum, going into
the Mega Event. These 6 matches were very challenging and seemed to be perfect
preparation for WC. The team combination that played here, almost the same team
is going to play in WC also. Barring small small changes. But at the last
moment Bumrah’s injury came as a huge setback for us. Now the team management
has to take a call for the replacement of Bumrah, which is going to bit
problematic for the team. All the answers to the question on the minds of Coach
and Captain might not have got here, but bulk of the preparation has been done.
India have flown to Australia much prior to the WC campaign so we will get
enough time for the preparation. If anything have to be tested for the team
combination, that has to be tested here. There are some specific areas to which
we will look at-
What
should be the Opening Pair?
Many
of us will ask is this a question to answer. With Rohit and KL Rahul the
opening order is quite set. But in cricket there is notihng set and permanent.
There is no doubt over Rohit Sharma as he is the Captain, so for the time
debating over his spot is not idle although knowing him and his captaincy, if
he take some bold call will not be surprising. But for KL, is it not the same
case. Though he is the one who changed the behaviour of Indian Batting approach
in T20Is but has not reached upto the expectations. Particularly in big stages
like last year’s first two games in T20 WC and in the recently concluded Asia
Cup. And also his batting approach in the start is raising question from IPL.
He has not played so many international T20Is from last year’s WC due to
injuries. His recent form from came back has not been satisfying. Recently
India had tried various batsmen at that position also in absence of his. Likes
of Sky, Pant and Virat in the last game in the Asia Cup. But these are not
permanent options as per our Captain and in his thought KL is still the best
suited option for the team. Going by his words it is sure that both Rohit and
Rahul are going to continue at that spot. But if things doesn’t goes well, then
there are good options to try out. Especially with Virat has done it previously
for his franchise and Indian team also, so he could be that option.
Pant
or DK?
There are lots of talking regarding the 6th bowling option arises in our team as we have very less options as all-rounders. Other than Hardik and Jadeja there are no other designated players for this category. Likes of Hooda, Axar, are the other options but not fully considered as for that role. But with Jadeja out of the team due to injury, one of them might came to the mix in the slot for 7. In the Asia Cup Hooda was picked ahead Axar but his performance with the bat was not so good and he hardly given any chance to bowl. While Axar was given chances in the home series against Australia & South Africa, where he was the stand-out performer. So Axar is the obvious choice as he could be better utilized as a bowling allrounder in the XI.
How
the Bowling Will Shape up?
Indian
team lost two games in the Asia Cup against Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the Super
4 while defending a total. In both the games our batting posted a good score
around 175, although 10-15 runs short as per the expectations. But we were not
that lethal with the ball. We missed both Bumrah and Harshal in the death. If
both were present then it could have been better. But there is not if and but
in the cricket. We failed to take wickets in the crucial moments. Both the
bowlers are replaced by Avesh and Bishnoi who are dropped from the WC squad.
Though Bhubaneswar Kumar and Yuzi Chahal failed to give performance with full
potential they are likely to be continue. Arshdeep will be the man to bowl at
death. Ashwin, despite selected and having experience might sit out from the
XI. Whereas coming back from injury Harshal was not looked good at all. The
combination will depend on the Bumrah’s replacement. Either it be Shami or
Siraj or someone else, that is going to be crucial.
That’s
how the things are going to happen in road to the ICC T20WC, 2022 in Australia
and hoping the Indian team will be fully prepared to bring the glory to us.
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