Talking about Team India at this moment, my suggestion is that all statements and counter-statements coming out at the moment need to stop.
Yes, the team has not done well and all of us must accept that Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has done the right thing in bringing fresh people in the squad. They say in sport if you keep playing the same way, you will get the same results and the concerned people have the full right in bringing freshness into the squad, who with due honesty, have struggled in overseas conditions for a considerable period.
Now comes the question of authority. There have been appointments, rest given to support staff and the best thing at the moment is to come out with an official statement stating each other’s role in the squad. That will put everything to rest and especially, the sources, which create a lot of harm to the team.
All of us must remember that it is our Indian team and we go up and down with it. So time demands maturity and, hopefully, all can show that. In terms of players and the captain, it is time to keep quiet and get on with the game. They must remember that one win will change all, the headlines will change, the sources will talk differently and it’s important that all energy is directed towards winning because it is the best healer. For me, team India are capable of doing that.
After a washout in Bristol the teams move up the M4 to Cardiff, my old County. Wales is a fabulous place, not only beautiful but the people are unbelievably friendly. It’s a beautiful part in the south of England and the Indian boys will be happy to get away from the life of the city to the brilliant watersides, the wharfs as they say here, and a great opportunity to have the best fish and chips of the country.
It’s important on such long trips to take time off from the game, get into the calmness of the country side as it helps one to rejuvenate and come back fresh. Sometimes, such opportunities allow you to get away from the nets and think about the game, which helps to come back as better players. This is what the Indians need to do at this moment. A lot of things are happening in Indian cricket, too much being written about and talked about and the players just need to get away from it.
India will feel happy to go back to Cardiff. They have great memories there as they had an outstanding Champions Trophy last season and as a team when you are struggling to get confidence back, good results of the past in that venue helps. Especially the out-of-form Shikhar Dhawan will feel a lot better for he has played some outstanding knocks there last year and will feel good when he takes guard again.
Another challenge, which the Indians will start facing now especially with the new boys, is the change in weather. It’s getting to autumn, the rains have come down heavily and with it the temperature, although someone like me who will not have to open for India anymore love it, it might just make life a bit difficult for the batsman.
The woollies are out but at the same time, the top order batsman need to get the best technique out as well as there will be considerable movement for the seamers, which has been a nemesis in the Test match. So it’s times for the top four to bite the teeth and buckle down against the seam movement as they are capable of doing it.
- The author is a former Indian captain
