Published: Sep 22, 2015, 03:47 PM (IST)
Edited: Sep 22, 2015, 03:47 PM (IST)
First it was Cheteshwar Pujara, who left no stone unturned to force his way into the Indian team for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015; it is the turn of Rohit Sharma now, who has surprised everyone by revealing that he is honing skills as a seam bowler. While it is a captain’s delight when he fields a playing eleven with many bowling options, at the same time it is alarming when specialist players start concentrating on areas where they should not be. The cases of Pujara and Rohit may be something the team management should look into, and do their bit to settle the nerves among the players, says Devarchit Varma.
The very fact that someone as resolute with the bat as Cheteshwar Pujara had to look out for other options in his skill set — to win the hearts of the Indian selectors — was damning to say the least. It is another matter that Pujara still does not fit in the scheme of things as far as India’s plans in limited-overs cricket is concerned, but it will not be exaggerating to say that the handling of a cricketer as important as him was hapless.
There is a section of the Indian cricket fans (mostly ‘purists’) that has immense belief in Pujara and his abilities. To see Pujara shifting focus on his bowling skills — (1) at a time when he should have been concentrating on his core skill and (2) something which he is not known for at all — was not a sight that many would have expected to see. Pujara’s credentials as cricketers may be limited — after all he has proven worth only in Test cricket (that too, in the subcontinent) — but the handling of the entire matter was inept. ALSO READ: Cheteshwar Pujara’s recent comments are reflection of India’s flawed approach to one-day cricket
Pujara’s case was a curious one; maybe the Indian cricket management had probably brushed it aside labeling it as ‘one-off’. But as the competition intensifies between similar-aged players for limited seats in the Indian cricket team, the selectors and the team management can no more turn a blind eye.
Rohit Sharma is the latest entry in this league. It will be tough to say what was more shocking in his recent comments — that he isn’t ‘talented’ or his experiment with seam bowling. But whichever option you decide on, you would find yourself thinking that maybe the one left out was the real ‘shocker’. ALSO READ: Rohit Sharma practices fast bowling to become batting all-rounder
There are players like Steven Smith who have blossomed into a completely different player since bursting on to the scene. But there is a price to be paid: Smith’s debut came five years ago in 2010, and it was only after more than four-and-a-half years that he found his calling. Smith is only 26, but there is no denying the fact that he lost more than four years of cricket. Can any of the current Indian cricketers afford the same? The first answer that would come in your mind would be a resounding ‘No’.
It is encouraging to see Virat Kohli and the management using all options to zero in on the best side. Maybe Rohit would turn out to be the best choice at No. 3. Maybe leaving Pujara out on a consistent basis would ignite the fire in him — making him settle the debate once and for all with a string of splendid shows. Or maybe Ajinkya Rahane is the best choice; he has, after all, shown tremendous intent on whatever opportunities that he has got.
The debate for a settled batting slot can never die; players may be rested, get injured, or may be sent back to domestic circuit to iron out the flaws. Someone else may come in for the time being. This has been an ongoing process since cricket was conceived. At this moment, unfortunately, players are shifting focus from their core skills to acquire ones that would merely help them to present a strong case of selection.
The present situation demands the Indian cricket management gets in between. There is nothing wrong in Pujara and Rohit thinking for themselves and their future, but it is the job of those managing the game, those behind the scenes to assure them that only their core skills will pay them the dividends they seek for the longer run.
And then, what has happened with Smith is no less than freakish. He is reaping benefits of putting everything he could to turn into the best batsman in his side, and there is no surprise that he was at the pinnacle of the rankings as well sometime ago.
(Devarchit Varma is a reporter with CricketCountry. He can be followed on Twitter @Devarchit)
