With the conclusion of the India-England 2021 test series (The “Anthony de Mello Trophy” Series for those who were paying attention, probably lost in the fine print past the PAYTM plastering everywhere), there has been much rejoicing of India making the inaugural WTC final. There’s a lot to celebrate after the 2 back-to-back test series wins (no harm in reminding everyone just one more time that the Australians got beat in their own backyard by the India C team).
The coming of age of Rishabh Pant, as a true X-factor player (see prior post), and as a keeper has closed all debate. He has proved that the impact he had in Australia (you know, when India C beat Australia in their own backyard) was not a fluke. Ashwin proved his spin skills keep getting better, while still growing his youtube channel following. He even had time to score a century on the same pitch the English managed partnerships shorter than his youtube videos.
We discovered Axar Patel is a gifted and savvy red ball test spinner, and was the greatest double bluff pulled on the English since Shane Warne’s flipper. He showed he can get it to turn 90 degrees, and then went on to get them all out with the same stock ball he’s been using in globally televised T20 whiteball cricket for years – pitch it on a dime, and let it go on straight. He did his Gujarati forefathers proud with his miserly accuracy, and has now set up a real battle for who takes the left arm spinner role once the injured Jadeja returns. Washington Sundar looks to be an organized batsman… between Pant on one side and our illustrious tailenders on the other, the simplicity of his technique and poise is a calming influence.
And last, but not least, there was Rohit, along with Gill, giving much needed stability at the opening pair. His century in the 2nd test was one of 3 centuries by 3 different Indian players in the series, not counting a 96* and 85* from Sundar and 91 from Pant. All 6 top order batsman scored at least a 50 once…
Yes, even Virat Kohli. There has been way too much banter on Kohli’s “form”. I feel we need an Aaron Rogers moment, and Virat needs to spell out R-E-L-A-X to the fans. Yes, he’s not at his past steller self, and yes he had 2 ducks, and yes he seems to have got out in more than 1 fashion, often more shocked and surprised than the viewers (that is priceless though). Forget about Kohli. He’s a great player, and his mental fortitude and physical conditioning does not make him prone to the same fallacies that lead to the classical slump in form for most batsman.
What we need to celebrate is the formation of an India Team and playing XI that is as stable and set in lineup as the days of: Sehwag + 1, Dravid, Tendulkar, Ganguly, Laxman. Gill needs to keep getting better, but for the first time in a long time, we aren’t second guessing who will get picked and who will get dropped from #1 through #7. Barring injury, you could make a bet in the English parlors that the WTC final batting lineup for India will be:
- Rohit
- Gill
- Pujara
- Kohli
- Rahane
- Pant
- Ashwin
Slot Sundar at #8 and then 3 specialist bowlers to suite the conditions. Take a moment and breathe. R-E-L-A-X. 6 straight test matches with the same opening pair… when did that last happen? While Rahane is the true weak link as a batsman, he has shown that he brings an intangible leadership factor to this team (remember… when India C beat Australia in their own backyard).
Kohli fights, spars and battles.. and he will come out on top when you agitate him. Teams are learning to let him be… to not engage, and hoping he’ll lose his focus and get out on 0 every now and then. Kohli is fine because team India is no longer a team of Virat + X, where 2-3 players aren’t sure how long a run they’ll get. India rarely prospered when it depended all too much on Sachin. And now India has prospered twice when the Kohli run spigot is unavailable.
Yes, this is Virat’s team, as so graciously stated by Rahane (after he beat Australia in Australia), but it’s no longer a Virat + X team. Rather, as has been proven between the last 2 series, it is an India X + Virat. That’s a deal any Indian will take, not just the Patels.
