India’s Strategy Under Scrutiny After Test Loss
Former Indian cricketer Pravin Amre shared insights regarding India’s choice to utilize turning pitches at home, a tactic he believes is essential given the team’s challenges abroad. However, the recent performance has not been favourable, as India faced a 30-run defeat against South Africa in the first Test at Eden Gardens, marking their first home loss to the Proteas in 15 years. The second Test is set to take place on Saturday in Guwahati.
Importance of Home Advantage
Amre commented on whether India should persist with turning tracks despite the recent loss, stating, “It’s always a decision made by the think tank, as they understand the team’s strengths. Home advantage is crucial, especially since touring teams rarely get such benefits. However, it’s vital that the results align with our strategy.”
With South Africa leading 1-0, the upcoming Test in Guwahati could significantly impact India’s future in Test cricket. Another home series loss, following last year’s whitewash against New Zealand, could raise concerns about India’s reliance on spin-friendly pitches, the coaching strategies under Gautam Gambhir, and the batting techniques of Indian players. The previous whitewash had already hinted at a decline for key players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravichandran Ashwin, culminating in the loss of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy to Australia.
Mastering the Art of Playing on Turning Tracks
Amre elaborated on the challenges India faces on turning pitches, saying, “Playing on such tracks is indeed an art that we have historically mastered. This recent outcome indicates the need for better preparation. While we should continue to develop turning pitches, we must also ensure that we achieve favorable results. Our past success as the number one team was due to our ability to score 400 runs and take 20 wickets on these surfaces.”
He acknowledged that the ability to handle spin has become a pressing issue, stating, “This is an area that requires improvement, but I believe it can be addressed effectively with our talented players. Trusting them and enhancing our preparation for these conditions is essential.”
Washington Sundar’s Role at No. 3
One of the notable decisions from the first Test was Washington Sundar batting at No. 3, despite the presence of specialist batsmen like Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal, who were not utilized. Amre explained, “The captain and coach often make these decisions based on the situation and pitch conditions. They might have felt Sundar could perform better in that role, especially since he can bowl off-spin against left-handers.”
In Kolkata, Sundar scored 29 and 31, while Sudharsan, who had previously scored 87 and 39 in his last Test against the West Indies, remained on the bench. Padikkal has also seen limited action, playing only two Tests with one half-century to his name.
When asked if Sundar was the right choice for the No. 3 position, Amre remarked, “This is certainly a topic for debate. Sometimes, unconventional choices are made to catch the opponent off guard. We’ve seen instances in T20s where Axar Patel was promoted ahead of regular batsmen. The outcomes can vary greatly.”
