India’s squad for Australia features bold decisions that hold the promise of paying off
India's squad for Australia features bold decisions that hold the promise of paying off
India have announced their squad for the upcoming limited-overs tour of Australia. They have picked very balanced unit with a good mix of composed experience mixed with zestful youth. It is too early to comment of their chances in the tough, demanding conditions Australia will present them at home. But this squad has the label of promise attached to it. MS Dhoni has a squad to redeem his stature as the undisputed leader of the Indian limited-overs side with the squad in hand. Rishad D’Souza takes an analytical look into the squad that sees the comebacks of Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Shami. ALSO READ: India announce squad for ODI series of Australia; MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli retain leadership positions
India have been dominant in the One-Day International (ODI) for long. In the 2011 edition of the ICC Cricket World Cup they were crowned champions. To reassert their strength in the format and to quell any doubts whether they were losing the plot, they won the ICC Champions Trophy 2013. However, in the recent past they have seemed to be on the down spiral. ALSO READ: India announce T20I squad for Australia; Yuvraj Singh a notable inclusion
They had a fairly good run in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 and lost to a very good Australian team in their backyard in the semi-final. However, in the tri-series in Australia itself just preceding the World Cup they lost every single game in that affair involving England as the third team. ALSO READ: Ravindra Jadeja makes comeback to India ODI squad for tour of Australia
Following the World Cup, India seems to be lapsing back into mediocrity. They lost the three-match away ODI series against Bangladesh and followed it up with defeats in both T20I and ODI series against South Africa at home. India have looked a little rusty but with this slightly modified team, they have a chance to re-emerge.
Dhoni’s presence has been doubted as to be a dwindling factor for India. He has lost the penchant to make big scores with the earlier frequency he was once known for and by extension has rarely played his signature knocks to bring India to victory from near-hopeless situations. Subsequently questions have been raised over his captaincy, especially with Virat Kohli’s relative success in Tests as captain. ALSO READ: Ashish Nehra called back to India squad for T20I series in Australia
Kohli has been a great deputy to Dhoni and in times of adversity needs to up his support for the captain. The other experienced members in this young squad include Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Ishant Sharma (only ODIs), Suresh Raina (only T20Is), Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma. In these members India has a fantastic core, around which the prospects of success revolve.
These players have to lead by example to other less-experienced campaigners and have to nurture them. There are plenty of young colts in the side who have been rewarded for solid performances in the domestic circuit.
India seem to have quite a solid batting line-up. Dhawan and Rohit form a good opening pair and both have tasted some success in Australia. Virat Kohli is a fantastic No. 3 batsman and just needs to find his mojo back in order to score big consistently. The middle order has names like Ajinkya Rahane, Raina (T20Is), MS Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh (T20Is) and newcomer Manish Pandey (ODIs).
There is plenty of bowling talent too with the ilk of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja leading the spin department in both formats. They will have the support of Akshar Patel in the ODIs while Harbhajan Singh will be their back up in the shorter format. ALSO READ: MS Dhoni to lead India in ICC World T20 2016
The fast bowling department also bears a lot of promise. Even in this facet, there has been some bold selections which look good for the team. Mohammed Shami makes a comeback and will be part of the arsenal in both formats. Umesh Yadav is the only other fast bowler who has made it to squads for both formats. The experienced Ishant Sharma will be their primary ally in the 50-over format.
These trio of bowlers will have to nurture the fresh talent coming into the side in the form of the young Brainder Sran. All-rounder Rishi Dhawan will also look up to them for example as will all-rounder Gurkeerat Singh.
Perhaps the most surprising of all decisions is that of recalling Ashish Nehra into the T20I squad. The left-arm pacer has not played for India since 2011 and has not played any First-Class cricket this year. However, he has been rewarded with the selection in light of his IPL performance last year.
Overall, there have been some rather brave decisions in the squad and that is refreshing to see. A few of deserving young, talented cricketers from the domestic circuit have been awarded berths while there is a bold dash of recalled experience. The core of the team remains strong and the team balance seems quite perfect; there is promise for success. Whether India lives up to this promise to overcome Aussies will be answered in time.
(Rishad D’Souza, a reporter with CricketCountry, gave up hopes of playing Test cricket after a poor gully-cricket career. He now reports on the sport. You can follow @RDcric on Twitter)