Just unbelieveable .Virat Kohli’s superlative knock and based on that India’s unbelieveable victory at Hobart had raised a hope but finally India haven’t qualified for the tri-series finals.
Although we are all pretty upset about it, deep inside we need to agree that the two best teams on form have qualified for the final showdown in the tournament.
Sri Lanka showed tremendous courage and hunger to win the game and lot of credit should be given to Mahela Jayawardene for showing fantastic captaincy skill under pressure.
Having lost two of his main bowlers because of injury it was a terrific display of handling your limited resources under pressure. It was also an example that once you finish as captain it doesn’t put an end to your coming back and becoming a better captain.
It is also an example that sometimes a break can help you to go back and relook at your various skills and come back as a better player.
It is an example which the Indian selectors might have to take at some stage to bring back this Indian team on the right path.
Since the world cup victory Indian cricket’s fortunes have turned around massively and for me Indian cricket is at the crossroads and the selectors have a very important role to play from now on.
Indians have lost eight test matches in a row, a record which has not been achieved by Indian cricket in the near past and the selectors can’t let this go unnoticed.
They have retained almost ninety per cent of the ODI side which went to Australia and I get a feeling that they were forced to do that, considering that India had an opportunity to play the finals and massive changes at that time could have affected the team, if at all they would qualify.
India has been exposed in all departments in the eight test matches in England and Australia. It’s time that the selectors take stock of it.
They will make a massive mistake if they let this go under the table and by trying to do so put the onus on the new selection committee which will take charge in September.
One must remember that it’s a competitive sport and if one doesn’t perform he will have to make room for others. That’s the rule of the game. This is also a must for the selectors otherwise they will be harming Indian cricket in a massive way.
Everyone needs to understand that if there is non-performance, especially over a long period of time and eight Test matches is indeed a lot, individuals will have to be given a break.
Not only to give opportunities to fresh talent but also to allow these players to go and work on their game and improve and come back as better players.
Players must also be made to realize the urgency or the push to perform day-in, day-out at the topmost level. Also India has to get back the habit of becoming a good side overseas.
They will play few Test series at home where their performance will be much better than what it has been in England and Australia but this will be not enough to get back their heavily battered image overseas.
The side should be selected and made ready to perform well in overseas condition. I would rather pick a player who may have a few poor series at home but has a good test series away because he will invariably perform at some stage on home soil.
That is why it’s important for the selectors to stand-up and make a statement. We will all be waiting to see what steps they take for Indian cricket as they must realize that if they don’t take any step then they will only do a lot of harm.