The Indian team fought valiantly in the WTC finals against New Zealand. They didn’t have match practice heading into the game. The conditions were tailor-made for New Zealand. To add to India’s woes, they lost the toss and batted under extremely challenging conditions. But they still stayed in the game for major parts of the Test match. It is fair to say that in English conditions New Zealand out-skilled India. Their bowling looked more venomous, their lower-order contributed significantly, they looked a superior side to India at the Southampton. Let’s discuss Indian players who will drop from playing XI in the England series.
India is scheduled to take on England in a grueling 5-Test series. The conditions will in all likelihood resemble the one in Southampton. It will be imperative that the Indian team adapts to the conditions. India’s team selection is another aspect that warrants scrutiny. They have often been rigid and adamant about their team selections. The England series gives them the opportunity to correct the mistakes.
Indian players who will drop from playing XI in the England series
#3 Ishant Sharma
Ishant Sharma has the best average among the Indian fast bowlers in the WTC cycle. He tried his best to put India ahead in the finals too. But Sharma was ineffective in his late spells. He looked tired and the Kiwis milked him for easy runs in the first innings. Sharma has been a workhorse for India all these years. He has often bowled the dirty overs. Sharma tirelessly contained the runs and allowed his fellow bowlers to attack. But in the WTC finals, he clearly seemed out of ideas deep into New Zealand’s innings.
It is a worrying sign as he is easily India’s most experienced pacer. There has been a lot of chatter about Mohammad Siraj and Shardul Thakur’s inclusion into the XI. The England series may see the reunion of India’s pace heroes of Gabba. Sadly it might be at the expense of Ishant Sharma.
Note: Sharma hurt his finger badly in the 2nd innings. If the injury is serious, it might rule him out of the England series.
#2 Ravindra Jadeja
Ravindra Jadeja has improved by leaps and bounds as a batsman overseas. He has played a few crucial knocks in the inaugural WTC cycle too. Jadeja’s fielding and bowling discipline add a wonderful dimension to the team. But Jadeja was strangely ineffective in the WTC finals. He failed to farm strike in the first innings while batting with the tail. Jadeja was too eager to get on to the other end. The likes of Ishant Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah were exposed for almost an over to a rampaging Kyle Jamieson. Jadeja went into a shell combating Neil Wagner’s bouncer barrage. He eventually succumbed to a length delivery.
Indian skipper, Virat Kohli didn’t seem to trust Jadeja the bowler in the first innings. Jadeja’s ineffectiveness as a spinner on a challenging wicket came to the fore in the 2nd innings. He failed to not only pick up a wicket but to even contain the runs. In English conditions, India can’t afford to play 2 spinners again. Ravichandran Ashwin clearly showed why he is the best in the business. Hence Jadeja might struggle to find a spot in the playing XI.
#1 Cheteshwar Pujara
Cheteshwar Pujara has been one of India’s biggest assets in Test cricket over the years. He fashioned a memorable series win in Australia in 2018-19 when he smashed 500+ runs scoring 3 centuries. But since that historic tour, Pujara’s bat hasn’t yielded a single century. He scored 841 runs in 30 innings averaging a paltry 28.03. A player like Mayank Agarwal who scored 857 runs in just 20 innings at an average of 42.85 was kept out of the team.
Pujara’s stoic attitude and ability to weather down storms is well documented. But more often than not he has consumed all the momentum India gained from the opening pair. He has failed to take the game forward on more than one occasion. This was quite evident in the WTC finals too. India’s patience with Pujara is wearing thin. They may run out of it in the England series, a place where Pujara has historically struggled even during his glory days.
Also read: Dale Steyn Highlights Concern For New Zealand To Maintain The Winning Momentum
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