The Beauty Of Sport
If someone had told me that India would lose a Test Series to New Zealand at home, I would have laughed him off. Though New Zealand are a tough team and extremely competitive, they had never won a series in India and considering India’s domination in recent years across the world, it was highly unlikely that anything different was going to happen. But again, such is the beauty of sport, that incredible things just keep happening.
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A Blessing In Disguise For New Zealand
New Zealand had lost a series in Sri Lanka before arriving in India. They were fair and squarely beaten on spinning tracks. They had failed to adapt and received a lot of flak too for their insipid performance in Lanka. However, the loss and the consequent criticism of their senior players actually turned into a blessing in disguise.
The Black Caps Course Correct
Expecting similar conditions in India, the Kiwis introspected and corrected their game plan. In both matches in India, they batted and bowled extremely well. They used their feet to the Indian spinners unsettling them often and kept on scoring at every opportunity. The sweep and the reverse sweep were too used to good effect ( not like the English who were just depending on the sweep and perished against Pakistan).
Brilliant Santner
In the bowling department too the Black Caps were good in both pace and spin and in particular Mitchell Santner bowled brilliantly. He used the crease to great effect, bowled slowly to let the ball grip the surface and spin, he varied his lengths too. The Indian batters were just unable to settle against Santner in Pune and succumbed to his wily performance.
The Law Of Averages Catches Up
A better-prepared New Zealand was good enough for India. The Indian Team on the other hand, unbeaten in a home test series since 2012 ( when they lost to England at home ), was surprised by the application of the Black Caps. For once India was finding it difficult to get out of a tough situation ( they had done so many times in the past ). The law of averages was catching up as despite all the efforts India could not turn around the game. The Indian players are eventually humans, was well and truly confirmed.
Some Concerns For India
The loss can be seen as a one-off case, but though I am a great fan of Rohit Sharma’s ability and captaincy, his wretched form is a big concern. Virat Kohli’s none-too-impressive performances since a while is definitely bothersome. Siraj losing a bit of teeth in his bowling, the absence of Shami and an untested bench strength in India’s pace attack, is a concern too. Not picking Kuldeep Yadav for the Australian tour was extremely surprising. Washington Sundar was an inspired selection in Pune and surely he did wonders, but Kuldeep has been instrumental in many a win for the Indians and therefore being snubbed for Australia would hurt the spinner.
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India Will Bounce Back
India will have to bounce back and win the Mumbai Test against the Kiwis starting on the 1st of November. A boost is required before they board the plane to Australia.
There is still a lot to pay for, notwithstanding, the law of averages.
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A good post. Keep it Sir.
Thank you