If you are
an Indian cricket fan, there is a lot to celebrate. In the last few weeks, we
have seen the exciting world of Indian cricket’s exploits.
Having been
a close follower of the game for four decades, I must say that the current
streak of success is very different from the past.
Yes, we won
the world cup in 1983 – but, we were not a feared team then. Yes, we won the
Benson and Hedges World cup in Australia in 1985, but, again it was a flash in
the pan.
We have
been a good one day team for brief stretches – registering some glorious wins
and some damaging losses, but consistency was always found wanting.
The 2007 T
20 world cup, 2011 World cup and 2013 Champions trophy showcased our
consistency. But, during this period, our main strength was our batting and the
ability to choke batsmen with a web of spin coupled with the brilliance of MSD’s
captaincy and finishing skills.
Sans MSD’s
brilliance, would we have been so consistent? It is a moot point. Also, during
this period, we were a very good one day team, a powerful test team at home but
very poor travelers.
Today, it
is different. Now, we have overwhelming superiority across tests and limited
overs matches in varying conditions.
Over the
last year, we have beaten Australia in Australia, West Indies in West Indies
and have been savagely superior to any team that dared to visit India in test
cricket.
Our one day
team has had its ups and downs, the big down being the semi-finals of the world
cup but, on current form no team can take us lightly.
Our T 20 team
has a settled look after a series of experimentations and looks a dangerous outfit.
So, what
has changed in the recent past? I would credit it to the 4 Fs and an R. The
team management’s forethought and the constant search for the fastest, fittest
and the finest. Ruthlessness is a new addition to our armory.
The fastest
– I grew up watching the mighty West Indies fast bowlers scare batsmen into
submission. When the two Ws – Waqar and Wasim would unleash thunderbolts and
humiliate batsmen by clean bowling them, I would ruefully wish for a day when
our pace bowlers would clean bowl opposition batsmen and their wickets would
cartwheel.
Today Shami’s
stock wicket taking delivery is one which hits timber. If you get time, do
watch how Bumrah terrorized the Windies batsmen into submission in the Sabina
Park test – it would rank among the best fast bowling spells across
generations. Unesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma are routinely destroying opposition batting
line ups with serious pace even on unsupportive Indian pitches.
The credit
for the unleashing of pace should go solely to Virat Kohli. He made this his
dream when he became India’s captain. A look at our under 19 team’s pace
battery shows that his pace obsession has become a way of life for India.
The fittest
– with the leader displaying levels of fitness which no Indian athlete has
hitherto displayed, the others had to follow. It is visible every day in every
match. There is no space for unfit players in the Indian team.
The finest –
if you are Hardik from Gujarat, Hanuma from Andhra, Washington from Chennai or
Khaleel Ahmed from Rajasthan, it does not matter. What matters is whether you
are good enough to play for India and win. In every match, every player has to
prove himself. No place for free riders.
Forethought
– the study of any champion team will tell us that the team constantly tries to
win today and plan for tomorrow. By blooding youngsters like Bumrah, Hardik,
Mayank, Vihari, Kuldeep, Chahal, Rahul, Shreyas, Pant, Vijay Shankar into
various team over the years, the management has shown the necessary
forethought. The dangers of not planning
ahead scalded Australia when they lost Ponting, McGrath, Warne, Gillespie in
quick succession. They took many years to recover. Srilanka is yet to recover
from the loss of Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardane.
Forethought
is also visible in the great Rahuls Dravid’s appointment as India’s under 19
team. India could not asked for a better man for this role.
Ruthlessness
is not a common trait. But, India has become the new Australia in this aspect.
Give us an inch and we take over the match. The dismantling of South Africa when
they toured India, the comeback wins against Australia in ODIs and of course
the 5-0 whitewash of New Zealand in the recent T20’s are signs of a new India.
My memory goes
back to the 1999 world cup which Australia won. I remember a rather arrogant
banner put up in the stands which read – No Lee, No Warne, No Sweat. Australia
won the 1999 world cup without their two key bowlers (Shane Warne and Brett Lee) – that is how good
they were.
Keep Calm - Indian cricket is in safe hands
