It is a big shock for Indian cricket lovers who are hoping to bring home the World Cup to be held in Australia next month. India is now almost out of the race for the final of the Asia Cup. Although mathematical equations are still taking him to the final, but it is like pulling stars from the sky. Beat India-Afghanistan, Pakistan lose to both Sri Lanka and Afghanistan, and then India reach the final with a better run average. This is nothing more than the dream of the waking eyes.
Team India, which has won the Asia Cup title the most seven times so far, started with a victory over Pakistan, and then defeated the helpless Hong Kong. Looking closely at both the matches, the match against Pakistan was getting stuck in less than 150 runs, and against Hong Kong if Suryakumar Yadav had not played it could have been difficult. As soon as they reached the Super-4, Team India, considered to be the world’s supreme team, was completely exposed, and not only Pakistan but Sri Lanka also defeated it with one ball left in the match filled with dilemma. The truth is also that the toss also played a role in both the matches, because in Dubai, the toss was automatically tilted towards the winner. So far in 9 matches, 7 have been won while chasing, while two matches have been won by the teams batting first, and both of these have gone to India and Pakistan against Hong Kong.
What happened to the team of guru Rahul Dravid with the world’s strongest bench strength? Virat also went, Rohit also scored a half-century after a long time, Kohli scored 156 runs in 4 matches at an average of 51 while Rohit scored 133 runs. Generally, India’s middle order has been running, but this time apart from one innings each from Surya Kumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya, the Indian team has not got anything special from this order.
India’s biggest flaw this time was seen in fielding and bowling. The number of catches that have been missed in the fielding has not been seen in Indian cricket at the moment. Arshdeep did not just leave easy catches, Chahal was also no less than anyone in this matter. Arshdeep may be lacking in experience, but Chahal was probably waiting for the ball to arrive. Leaving the catch, the laughter now stings. Many run out chances were lost due to lack of accurate throws. Missing easy catches is not a new thing in cricket, but it is disturbing to become a trend.
Bhuvneshwar is the main bowler of the team in bowling, his record in T20 before this has also been excellent. He also has the most wickets this year. But on a very delicate occasion, not one but two consecutive wide balls from his hand also stings. If an experienced player like Bhuvneshwar takes so much pressure in the Super 4 of Asia Cup, what will happen in the World Cup!! Arshdeep may have proved to be expensive, he has given runs in 15 overs at an average of more than nine and a half, but the last over is bowling well. While Bhuvneshwar is cracking under pressure in the 19th over, Arshdeep’s good last over is a positive sign.
Avesh Khan conceded 72 runs in 6 overs in two matches at an average of 12, although he has the pace. Yuzvendra Chahal, who made a splash in the IPL, took four wickets giving runs at an average of 8. Ashwin was given a chance in only one match, could not gather anything special. The question is, with this bowling can we expect anything better in the World Cup, maybe not! Guru Dravid will have to introspect with the team management, and Team India will have to come out of the complacency.
Deepak Hooda, who was included as an all-rounder, got only batting, could not leave a mark in that too. The debate between Rishabh Pant and Dinesh Karthik continued, but Pant could not leave much impact behind the wicket. Not only this, Lokesh Rahul, who is coming out to start the innings, has not yet been seen in rhythm after returning from injury. Thankfully, Virat Kohli’s bat, which lasted after a long time, seemed to have reworked most of his strokes after the opening encounter, although wickets were lost in yesterday’s match against Sri Lanka trying to play a big stroke.
Cricket That too T20 cricket is known for its uncertainties, it does not take time to travel from floor to floor. India now has to play the last match of Super 4 against Afghanistan. And the fearless way Afghanistan is playing cricket at the moment, Team India needs to take them seriously. In that match, there will probably not be much at stake for both the teams, in such a situation, Afghanistan can play more freely, because the real pressure will be on India.
However, this is like an alarm bell for India before the World Cup, the sooner it wakes up the better. Team selection should see work, not big names. It is true that Jasprit Bumrah was lacking for India from the very beginning, but such dependence on any one bowler of the team which is considered to be the strongest bench strength in the world is not welcome at all. Then if we didn’t have Bumrah, Pakistan didn’t have Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sri Lanka didn’t have Dusmantha Chamira. When cricket is going on continuously, there has to be a period of injury and unavailability.
Liberal cricket pundits would call India’s performance a mere misadventure. It is absolutely right that no one should be criticized just for the purpose of criticism. This is a game and there are always wins and losses in the game. But we should also remember that Indian cricket lovers have a big role to play behind cricket and where its stars are today. These are the people for whom winning cricket is not a defeat but a cause of hope, despair, depression and despair. Anyone can be defeated any day, but the loss of carelessness is troubling.
(Disclaimer: These are the personal views of the author. The author himself is responsible for the correctness / accuracy of any information given in the article. News18Hindi is not responsible for this.)
Today’s latest news, live news updates, read most reliable Hindi news website News18 Hindi | Today’s latest news, live news updates, read the most reliable Hindi news website News18 Hindi |
Tags: Asia cup, India Vs Pakistan, India Vs Sri lanka, Indian Cricket Team, Team India
September 07, 2022, 12:08 IST