INDIA BEATS BANGLADESH, STAYS IN HUNT TO REACH WORLD TEST CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL

India pipped Bangladesh by three wickets in an exciting 2nd Test to register a clean sweep in the twomatch series. With this victory, India retained their second spot on the World Test Championship table. But the close shave in the Mirpur game, which could have gone either way till the last moment, reflects that Team India has had an ordinary year. As the New Year beckons, there are serious concerns and challenges that confront India in test cricket. India’s batting approach in the series with Bangladesh was a far cry from the aggression promised by KL Rahul and the team management. Knocking off the modest target of 145 should have been an easy task for India. It was only a superb stand between Shreyas Iyer and Ravichandran Ashwin that saved India from an embarrassing first-ever loss to Bangladesh in Test cricket. Indian batting in recent tests has often left a lot to be desired. While KL Rahul is going through a horror patch, even Virat Kohli has been far from his best in test cricket despite his recent resurgence in white ball format.

The disappointing performance of the batting unit and some tactical mistakes raise lots of questions just before the upcoming home series against Australia. While Indian batters need not copy England’s aggressive batting style, known as ‘Bazball’, they can take a leaf out of their book in chasing 145. Just a few days earlier on a tricky Karachi pitch, England had chased down a target of 167 in barely 28.1 overs for the loss of only two wickets. The Indian top-order could surely learn a few valuable lessons instead of looking like rookies against the Bangladesh spinners. The below par show in Bangladesh reflects clearly that things haven’t exactly gone as per plans in 2022 which has been a bittersweet year for Indian cricket. The year had begun on a promising note as India defeated South Africa in a convincing fashion in their first test at Centurion. But these were followed by two successive losses as the Proteas ran away with the series that India initially seemed set to win. Defeat in South Africa led to Virat Kohli suddenly resigning as the Test captain, clearing the way for Rohit Sharma to become the skipper in all three formats. But with Rohit remaining injuryprone at 35, the year saw a virtual musical chairs over captaincy. Kohli’s resignation and Rohit’s injuries have created a situation whereby six players have led the team across formats this year. Rohit Sharma’s injury-induced absence highlights one of the biggest headaches for the Indian team in 2022 – the non-availability of several key performers. Perhaps the most notable absence that has hurt India’s chances in a big way is that of ace-pacer, Jasprit Bumrah, who has hardly played for Team India since the tour of South Africa in January. The other huge loss has been the injury to Ravindra Jadeja which has affected the team’s morale and its balance. The growing list of injured players reflects the urgent need for more effective workload management and greater emphasis on fitness regimens.

After the defeat to South Africa in January, the team thrashed Sri Lanka comprehensively in the two-test series in March. But in the only test against England this year, Team India floundered badly and were defeated by the Ben Stokes-led unit by seven wickets. Despite the mixed bag in terms of results, India’s underrated bowling unit has done rather well. Even in the Bangladesh series, Indian bowlers got 40 wickets in the two tests though their propensity to let the opposition tail wag nearly cost them the second Test. To win in Test cricket, a side needs to take 20 wickets and Indian bowlers struck with regularity throughout the Test series. This brings us to the ticklish issue of arbitrary selections. Undoubtedly, the worst and most controversial was the dropping of left arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav from the second test against Bangladesh. Despite taking 8 wickets, scoring 40 runs and winning the Man of The Match award in the first test, Yadav was axed to include a trundler like Jayadev Unadkat – a decision that defied all cricketing logic. Despite the hiccups and headaches, Team India still has a strong chance of qualifying for the World Test Championship final provided they win 3 out of 4 Tests against Australia who are currently the table toppers. If Indian batsmen can start firing at their best and the bowlers can retain the striking ability they have displayed in recent matches, Team India could well make it to the World Test Championship final in June 2023.