The Black Caps secured a crucial victory against India in the 4th ODI at Hamilton on Tuesday which in turn sealed India’s faith as the latter dropped to number two side in the ICC ODI rankings. New Zealand sealed the series as India’s bowlers and batsmen failed to put up a show. Here are some frailties that we think turned in India’s favour:
The Black Caps secured a crucial victory against India in the 4th ODI at Hamilton on Tuesday which in turn sealed India’s faith as the latter dropped to number two side in the ICC ODI rankings. New Zealand sealed the series as India’s bowlers and batsmen failed to put up a show. Here are some frailties that we think turned in India’s favour:
Opening Batting woes
Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma did not turn up as the duo faltered to take India to a stronger position. Even though, Dhawan was axed in the 4th ODI, the writing was on the wall for the two batsmen who need to put up some runs or otherwise could see them get the boot from the selectors very soon.
Middle order jinx
MS Dhoni clearly does not know who should bat at number 4 position. In the 1st ODI, it was Ajinkya Rahane who walked out to bat instead of clear ‘favourite’ Suresh Raina. With Yuvraj Singh not in the frame, it was the best opportunity for the likes of Raina and Rahane to cement their spot in the team which they failed to do so.
Cheteshwar Pujara was solely missed
India’s best Test batsman till date, there were calls for Cheteshwar Pujara to make the cut in the ODI team. But the selectors had other ideas as the Rajkot-born batsman still waits for his opportunity to don the blue jersey. His calm presence in the middle order was missed as India needed a batsman who spent time at the crease rather playing callously.
We could have seen the ‘old’ Yuvraj Singh on Kiwi shores
He might be out of form but Yuvraj Singh on his day can turn up his lethal form to demoralise the opposition attack. Yuvraj who has scored 504 runs against the Black Caps in the ODIs, could have proved the ‘key player’ in the Indian team. An experienced player of Yuvraj’s calibre could have helped India maintain some stability in the middle order and with some shorter boundaries in the New Zealand, we could have seen the Yuvraj Singh of the ‘old’.
Besides MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli, who is the best batsman?
In the 4 ODIs played so far, Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni and to an extent Ravindra Jadeja have showed some promise with the bat. Even though Rohit Sharma got a half-century to his name in the last ODI, the Mumbai-batsman is clearly out of confidence and has to muster up some runs or risk the wrath of the selectors.
Why was Suresh Raina in the squad?
Southpaw Suresh Raina seems to have numbered his days as an Indian ODI player. After being dropped out of the playing eleven in the 4th ODI, (he should have been axed long ago) the selectors must re-think their strategy of retaining Suresh Raina in the team. Is he in the team for the CSK connections? Why Ambati Rayudu and Stuart Binny get a single game to show their talent? There are more questions than answers to be asked here.
Ishant and the bowling conundrum
Time and again, India’s bowling woes have continued to haunt them overseas. Be it South Africa or New Zealand, the Indian pacers have lacked conviction to deliver at crucial intervals and have been the reason for India’s loss. Ishant Sharma who has been in the team for a while, has over and again failed to use his ‘senior capabilities’ and sees a possible future on the fringes. With important tours to England and Australia waiting, MS Dhoni and the back staff must act quickly to solve this mystery ASAP!
