Team India has entered the Cricket Calendar-2023. As soon as the new year starts, the Indian team has landed in its home ground. In the current T20 series, it was decided to field young players against the Sri Lankan team. All eyes are on a team India that does not have experienced batsmen like Virat Kohli and KL Rahul apart from regular captain Rohit Sharma. Hardik Pandya, who is seen as the future captain in limited overs cricket, has got a great opportunity to play freely.
Forgetting the failures of last year, coach Rahul Dravid has now put Team India on the path where the priorities of limited overs cricket and longer format (Test cricket) will be different. Such an effort can certainly be considered commendable, because the strategy should be clear and far-reaching to overcome the challenges of the future. ODI World Cup will be played in October-November this year, which is hosted by India itself. After this, next year i.e. in 2024, the teams will try themselves in the T20 World Cup.
WTC: A big challenge to overcome Australia
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But before these two World Cups, Team India will have to struggle hard to reach the title race of the ICC World Test Championship. Its final is possible at the Oval in London from June 23 this year, where the top-2 teams will face each other. At present, the target in front of India is not that easy. Team India has to play a four-Test series against Australia on its ground, which is to start from 9 February. Australia is at the forefront of the race to reach the final.
At present, the second-ranked Indian team will have to perform at its best to reach the final of the World Test Championship. The target of victory in front of India is very big to avoid getting caught in the trap of if-but.
The Indian team will qualify for the championship final if they win at least three out of four Tests against Australia. If Team India wins all three Tests, it will end its WTC campaign with a score of 62.5% or more, which would be enough to finish second. If India doesn’t win by 3-0 then the scenario will get a bit complicated. After winning 2-0, one has to pray that the Sri Lankan team does not win more than one match in the series against New Zealand.
… will try to get a large pool of players like this
The need of the hour is a phased strategy to better utilize the large pool of players that India has. Tough decisions will have to be taken keeping in mind all the three formats and their challenges. Coach Dravid has already taken steps in this direction. He made it clear that the team is being prepared for the next T20 World Cup. Indicating that the doors are closed for Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul in this format, he said that there is a need to be patient with the youngsters and the team management should keep supporting them.
Coach Dravid has set his priorities. He has made it clear that the ODI World Cup is to be held this year, there will be more focus on that. Then there is the World Test Championship. In such a situation, youth can be given opportunities in T20 matches. India gave opportunities to youngsters like Shivam Mavi, Umran Malik in the T20 series against Sri Lanka. Mavi tried to prove himself not only with his balls but also with the bat. Mavi reminded me of those days, when a fast bowler used to show his skills even with the bat.
Fast bowlers of the future – Umran and Mavi
Umran Malik continues to impress. His attempt to deceive the batsmen with his speed seems to be successful. Umran and Mavi have got to learn a lot in this series so far. Now they need experience. It is also certain that young players will definitely disintegrate under pressure, in such a situation the team management should not lose faith. Left-arm fast bowler Arshdeep Singh, who returned to the team after recovering from injuries, bowled 5 no-balls in his two overs in the second T20 match of the series.
During the series against Sri Lanka, Team India won the first match, while lost the second. Despite this, coach Dravid looked happy with the performance of the spin all-rounder department. Obviously Akshar Patel’s batting has made the team strong. Ravindra Jadeja will be in the team soon. Washington Sundar will also be a part of the team. Dravid has expressed hope that India will become stronger in the spin all-rounder department. Obviously, despite frequent setbacks in matches like T20, hopes will not be shattered, but the team’s fast batting in the lower order will be useful. Overall, it can be said that Team India will now have plenty of options.