A Cricketing Article after a very long time … almost an year. After all this bloody CORONAVIRUS didn’t allowed much to happen. So … before the year ends we can have a quick look at the main Cricketing Talks of the year.

WORLD TEST CHAMPIONSHIP

If there is a tournament I am excited the most for … it is not the ODI or T20 World Cups but the TEST CHAMPIONSHIP. It will really be amazing to see the best performers of test competing for the title. Before COVID hit the world or say before India toured NZ, it was almost clear that IND and AUS will be facing each other in the Final. But once IND lost 0-2 to NZ and many further series were cancelled, the new system has tilted the game if not robustly but slightly.

Now ICC has decided that top 2 teams will be decided on the basis of ‘Average Points’ and not total points. Because of it IND has slipped down to 2nd spot and NZ is very much into the competition now, as fortunately their series weren’t cancelled. They have to play WI and PAK at home and if they sweep them both and INDIA’s upcoming series in AUS and against ENG at home, doesn’t go up to expectations, then it might be troublesome. But I still believe that IND will be able to manage at least till 2nd position and will be playing AUS at LORDS in June.

The BORDER-GAVASKAR Trophy is Back

It’s not much long when we last played AUS at their backyard and within 2 years, we are again here. Last time we conquered the fort for the first time in the history which will be our aim this time as well, but the execution will require much more diligence and determination this time. Not only are SMITH and WARNER back for Aussies, but the very heartbeat of our team VIRAT KOHLI will not be there. Morality of the decision, we will discuss later. The limited over series has already started, but the main thrill will be there at the time of test series.

Since ROHIT also will most probably not be there, in my opinion it will be pure Idiocracy if RAHUL doesn’t open with MAYANK. In absence of VIRAT I will put my weight onto SHUBHMAN’s shoulders at the middle order, but will play him at 6 and RAHANE and VIHARI will come one up than usual. PANT has performed there before, so he should be the WK and JADEJA should be the first choice spinner without slightest of the doubt. BUMRAH, SHAMI and SAINI will be my first choice bowlers and in ISHANT’s absence my next best option is SIRAJ. So … that is my XI and I think the real XI doesn’t differs much. The team has a point to prove in VIRAT’s absence and I have full faith in RAHANE and his men to take up this challenge. Also, if things turn out well and we face Aussies in WTC Final we need to learn to beat them in as tough conditions as possible and since NZ tour didn’t went in our way, we need to prove our worthiness in Overseas Tests also.

An Unique year for VIRAT

How would have anyone reacted if I would have said at the beginning of the year that VIRAT will not score even a single hundred this year. Well … this year seems to giving some Vibes like that. He was good against the AUS in Jan ODIs but didn’t got a hundred. Then came the NZ Tour where neither he nor the team performed well. Then COVID stopped cricket for around 6 months (half of an year got wasted). After IPL he is now up against his favorite rivals and situation couldn’t have demanded a better opportunity as in the absence of some key players he HAS to step up if INDIA has to defy all odds. As many experts are also saying his form is very crucial and actually will pave the way of where will the series head after his departure.

VIRAT’s Paternity Leave

Another headline with VIRAT. He will be leaving for IND after the first test only. And … I need not say it’s a BIGGG blow for INDIA. I would not like to say much on the Morality of the decision as he has always stood for his team and now if he wants to spend time with his family during the birth of his first child, we have to respect his personal choice. But, on professional front he has decided to miss on a very big series. It was already going to be very tough for IND and now it will only be tougher for us. We can always see MS DHONI’s example who didn’t went back to IND during the 2015 WC when his Daughter was born as he was on ‘National Duty’. It’s not about paternity leave, it’s about the series you are missing. Though on a positive note, it can be taken as an opportunity for Youngsters to perform in tough conditions and take up some responsibility and accountability.

IPL : Incredible MI again

It can’t be a cricketing article if I miss out on the IPL . First of all we all should thank Sourav Ganguly, BCCI and all the concerned authorities for making this possible in these tough times. But … I will not thank the NEPOTISM product in particular, he doesn’t deserve it. Coming onto the tournament it was highly competitive, till the very last match the Qualifiers weren’t decided and every team won at least 6 games which shows the level of contests showcased. But again it was MUMBAI INDIANS winning it for the Fifth time and we have to accept that the team was TOO strong and as many have said, I too agree that MI can beat Team India. The key for them was the CORE (5,6,7), superb bowlers, youngsters (ISHAN and SURYAKUMAR) and how can we forget ROHIT’s excellent Captaincy. Yes … but I will not press for him to lead INDIA as ‘some’ are shouting the hell out.

So … I would like to end on this note. We have discussed almost all things happening in Cricketing world. On one hand we are quite tensed after VIRAT KOHLI’s departure and at the very same time we are looking forward to the challenge lying ahead.

JAI HIND

ARUNESH SINHA