The India vs. Australia Opening Gambit

Editorials News | Dec-26-2018

The India vs. Australia Opening Gambit

In October 2018, when the second Test ended against West Indies, Mr. Ravi Shastri, who is the head coach of the Indian cricket team, was questioned on his opinion about opener KL Rahul's poor form, which showed no signs of improving. However upon this question being asked, Ravi Shastri very well said that "He will be all right. He is a class act... it's just a matter of time" and brushed his concern aside.

But it is sad to know that Mr. Shastri’s optimism was because of what is was hoping and not according to logic behind cricket. It was seen that even before the Test series had begun in Australia, the batting coach Sanjay Bangar said something alarming and shocking about Rahul after the batsman was dismissed, in a familiarly cavalier fashion, in the warm-up game. He said “Rahul is finding new ways to get out. We know his ability, we expect him to take responsibility and play his role for the team”. At the time of an injury to Prithvi Shaw, Rahul was given a chance to sing the redemption song in the first Two Tests but unfortunately he could not sing and was completely out of tune. This led to Sunil Gavaskar’s observation and comment that “Rahul is just not there.”  It is not hidden from anyone that one of Shastri’s primary traits as a coach is to support and back his players in a very vocal manner and take all criticism about the team. Have known this, no one was surprised that he gave voluble support to the struggling player but sadly it was not enough. Australia was always going to be a grim test and Rahul was not ready with all the tools to confront the challenge adequately right now. Murali Vijay, who is a more conservative, defence-minded opener who could have handled this situation better and pave the way for Kohli and Co. to take the battle to the hosts, also happened to be wrong and was a disaster like Rahul. Mayank Agarwal was sent as a possible replacement opener and definitely it would have been better if he was part of the original squad. He would have tried and could have adjusted to the conditions hoping that and it would have certainly helped if he was blooded in the first Test itself. However, now, if he plays in Melbourne, with the teams tied 1-1 in a bruising series, it will be a pressure laden, severely demanding debut. But by this, the team management is questioned over several selection calls that it took earlier since the away series against South Africa which began last December. It has been seen that Rahul was supported continuously and that was one of the team’s decision.

By: Anuja Arora

Content: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/india-in-australia/india-vs-australia-opening-gambit-wishful-thinking-poor-returns/articleshow/67171970.cms


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