By V.N. Prasad
Our boys tasted a ‘Brown Wash’ Down Under; as Kangaroos lift/redeem the ‘Border-Gavaskar Trophy’ 3-1 at the SCG.
On a beautifully curated wicket, the 5th and the final Test at the SCG concluded on the third day; a despicable routine/occurrence that is virtually corroding the very spirit of Test cricket. Congratulations to the Kangaroos on their 3-1 victory and on retrieving the ‘Border-Gavaskar Trophy.’
With all the confidence that the OZs mustered in their victory at the MCG, was the coffin ready, only waiting for a few nails at the SCG? Answer is — Yes. Did the victory at Perth, in the 1st Test send signs of complacency in our team? The answer seems — Yes. Should we do away with the ‘Pink Ball Tests’? The answer seems — Yes. Are the shorter formats of this wonderful game taking away the very essence of Test cricket? The answer is — Yes. Should we do away with Test cricket? The answer is — NO. Are our kids being pampered with too much — WAY TOO MUCH — of money at tender ages in contests like the IPL? The answer is an emphatic YES. Is the money factor in a few toppers adversely affecting the very voice of the ‘Selection Committee and the Head Coach’? Probably — Yes. Should Ajit Agarkar and Gowtam Gambhir resign on account of our boys’ failure? Answer is NO. They indeed have their limitations. It was for the stalwarts to deliver. However, Gambhir was perhaps wrong in defending Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli despite their forgettable performances.
We, however, agree in unison that these two batsmen have contributed a lot to Indian cricket. But, laurels don’t speak/support failures. One needs to step aside when the time is out. And, come on Rohit. You were audacious in your statement that: “These guys sitting over a laptop cannot teach us our jobs. We know our responsibilities etc. Don’t you talk about bad roads in Mumbai; and don’t you pay taxes. If yes, please do not forget that we pay through our nose to witness games and have contributed to your financial assets. So, you owe us a decent disposition in failures, at least.” Around him, even the other top order has failed to deliver. Young Jaiswal @ 43, Virat @ 21, Rohit @ 6 and KLR @ 31 were nowhere near satisfactory. Well, one may ask a question — “Was the OZ batting line up competent?” Answer is NO. But for two defining and match winning twin centuries by Steve Smith and Travis Head, none else showed the class. That is where we had to go for the kill. And, we failed. And, that is what hurts.
Sunil Gavaskar is absolutely right in questioning the very eligibility of Virat Kohli in the side at the SCG and I agree with him. I am not a big fan of Sanjay Manjrekar’s comments. But, he was absolutely right in questioning the selectors in the exclusion of Kuldeep Yadav. Please recall Englishmen’s tour of 2024; a home series. In the four Tests, Kuldeep grabbed 17 wickets. We knew of his groin injury while the Kiwis ‘White Washed’ us at home. But, for sure Kuldeep was fit for the OZ Test series; but got excluded. Wasn’t that sheer madness? “Heyy BCCI, what are you doing to the morale of a young lad who rattled the Englishmen in the home series? Go to the internet. Just two dismissals of the English opener, Zac Crawley, were good enough to include him in the side. But, you didn’t for reasons best known to you – and you alone”.
In the melee, I pity young Washington Sundar. Even this young lad has lost the rhythm with the “In-Out-In-Out” policy of the BCCI — an absolutely despicable attitude and disposition of the BCCI that has ruined the dreams of umpteen.
The series belonged significantly to the bowlers of both the sides. As I wrote in my earlier article, all the 5 bowlers of the OZs bowled brilliantly; Scott Boland being the best — while Jasprit Bumrah stood out and tall with his exceptional performance scalping 32 in the series; the best in a series on the Australian soils by a visiting side.
Well, historically we have known that memories are very short in our society. Very soon, Champions Trophy will commence. Similar acts of commission and omission are likely to occur. We await the outcomes that are round the corner. Later, the great spoiler IPL will commence. Coffers will get filled. Woes of the debacle down under will all be forgotten.
God bless Indian Cricket, World Cricket and Test Cricket.
This post was published on January 8, 2025 6:05 pm