- The Indian cricket team during the first half of the past year had an air of authority even though the near-perfect performance in the 50-over World Cup saw it fail to cross the final hurdle. Team India performed during the marquee event spectacularly winning every match right up to the finals. Travis Head spoiled what could have been an icing on the cake in the finals resulting in Australia winning the coveted World Cup yet again. However, Team India could bury the disappointment and went ahead displaying a remarkable consistency by winning the T20 World Cup held in the USA and the West Indies quite convincingly. Remember, the ICC Trophy triumph came after 13 long years. Of course, the whole nation rejoiced with gay abandon.
PC: The Indian Express
- Unfortunately, what transpired in the second half of the previous year has been anything but a meltdown especially the abject capitulation of Team India in the classic format of the game. Though Team India won the two-Test series against Bangladesh hands down, the three Tests that followed against New Zealand were a complete disaster. That a less heralded Kiwis could whitewash Team India in their own den so convincingly and comprehensively must have set the alarm bells ringing. Mind you, the all-important five-Test series Down Under beckoned as well as a place in the finals of the ICCT Test Championship. What unfolded Down Under must be qualified as a humiliating whipping leading to pertinent questions being raised from all quarters.
PC: myKhel
- What was touted as a redemption series eventually turned about to be an eye-opener for cricket connoisseurs since some of the biggest names simply could not perform on expected lines. The likes of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli failed to deliver when it mattered most resulting in a 1-3 loss to the much superior Aussie outfit. The struggles and abject surrendering of these two batting giants must be rankling the BCCI mandarins, the selectors, and cricket fans alike. Make no mistake, the hammering received at the hands of Aussies would have set Team India back by at least a couple of years. The turnaround from the mauling will take time but the moot point to ponder over here is what is the way forward for the Indian cricket in obvious transition mode.
PC: Free Press Journal
- Except for Ravichandran Ashwin announcing sudden retirement from international cricket, none of the senior cricketers have shown any inclination to hang their boots for good as of now. The next ICC Test Championship is scheduled to commence from the ensuing five-match Test series between India and England in June. The Indian selectors must take pragmatic and practical steps to ensure the senior players are not selected based on their past performances alone or for that matter on IPL form. The time has come to nudge the aging cricketers to step aside to allow younger players to make their presence felt. Do we have enough Test cricketers to replace the superstars? That’s a very important question that will be dealt with in the coming days!
