The post mortem on India’s loss against Australia in the World Test Championship (WTC) has begun. Team India took a heavy drubbing, and Captain Rohit Sharma and coach Rahul Dravid are being blamed squarely. Fans have been asking for their resignations.
We asked a few experts whether the captain and coach are the only ones to be blamed for the defeat. Here’s what a few of them had to say:
“A captain can be likened to the engine of a train, propelling the team forward. A captain serves as the guiding compass, providing a well-defined roadmap towards the team’s ultimate goal,” former left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha said.
“Whether the outcome is a triumph or a setback, the captain’s leadership is discussed. It is crucial to maintain an equilibrium between praise and criticism directed towards the captain, ensuring a balanced perspective. Additionally, fostering inclusivity among team members is of paramount importance, as unity and cohesion are indispensable for attaining remarkable accomplishments,” Ojha, who played 48 international matches (24 Tests, 18 ODIs and 6 T-20Is) added.
One match can’t decide a winner!
Former fast bowler Dodda Ganesh did not blame the captain and the coach, but said, “the timing of the Test match was wrong. India went to London immediately after the IPL. It was an immediate switch from T-20 mode to a five-day game. Though the Indian team went in batches to England (players who did not qualify for the IPL went early) there was no practice match.”
“I also believe that only one Test match to determine the winner is not enough. There should have been a series of at least three Test matches to determine the World Test Champion. Hope the ICC considers this and implements it in the next two years,” the 49-year-old former right-arm pacer added. Incidentally, Rohit Sharma voiced similar views in his media interaction.
Less time for preparation
Former coach and commentator Ravi Shastri is reported to have said that there was not enough preparation for the WTC. “You’ve got to miss IPL to have 20 days of prep for the WTC final,” he is quoted as saying.
Former first-class cricketer Saad Bin Jung said, “When a company goes down, we blame the CEO, not the employees. Why? That’s just the way the system is. The leader is in charge of selection along with the selectors, and once he has the team of his choice, he needs to be responsible for its performance. If the captain was not part of selection he could have hidden behind the selectors, but in India we have mostly allowed the captain to get his team.”
Bring in youngsters
A former India opener, who did not wish to be quoted, expressed some radical views. “Chetershwear Pujara, Mohd. Shami, Umesh Yadav, all were legends in the past, but now have no place in the team. India should bring in more youngsters instead. Shami is good in limited over matches, but in a Test match, he can't bowl 20 overs. Even Rohit Sharma should go,” the cricketer said.
