- There is no dearth of experts in India when it comes to sharing inputs/opinions on any matters concerning cricket. Every cricket lover in the country would like to believe themselves a cricket expert passing comments right from the selection of the selection committee itself to selecting a team. The popularity and the following of cricket in India need no further emphasis as the game is considered no less than religion here. Mindboggling revenue generated in India singularly fills the coffers of the International Cricket Council is a known fact. No wonder, the Indian diaspora spread around the globe ensures that any cricket match featuring the Indian contingent is not only well attended but also brings in much-required revenue as a consequence.
PC: TEAM SPORTSTAR
- Given the above, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) must ensure the craze as well as following for the game remains undiminished. For this to happen, Team India must exhibit perpetual superiority, if not supremacy, while competing at home and away conditions. Of course, Team India is unbeatable in the familiar home conditions as very few teams can lay claim to having succeeded in taming the tiger at its den. The same cannot be said with certainty about the overseas exploits though. Nonetheless, Team India is faring well in Test matches of late while touring. Successive Test series wins in Australia demonstrate how far Team India has progressed in emerging victorious in foreign conditions.
- However, the shorter and the shortest versions of the game have seen no substantial changes in the team’s fortunes over the last few years. Since the 2011 50-over World Cup triumph at home, Team India has failed to cross the finishing line in the ICC events with alarming regularity. Make no mistake, the Indian players are not only world-class exponents but also distinguished players having showcased their unquestionable talents with great aplomb. Some of the marquee players going around are from India whose statistics speak for themselves. Intriguingly, Team India is found wanting in multilateral events for failing to cross the hurdles. Understandably, the experts think that the captaincy should change for both the red-ball and white-ball formats.
PC: India Today Web Desk
- We know Rohit Sharma is presently the all-format captain but it is clear he is not at his fluent best in the white-ball format in recent times. Injuries have contributed their share on the hit-man. With age not on his side, the selectors finally appear to be weighing in with an option to replace him with someone younger and agile in the shortest format. Against this backdrop, comes the news about the appointment of Hardik Pandya as the Captain for the home T20Is against Sri Lanka. The allrounder has proved his mettle with a win under his belt in the IPL and a drawn series against New Zealand. The selectors deserve accolades for choosing to move ahead pragmatically with a focus on building a future combat-ready team. Good luck to Hardik Pandya!
