India Team Discussion

[NILAYSHAH60]

This article from Karthik Krishnaswammy beautifully sums up Kohli's regime as India's Captain

The aura, the intensity and the cameras around Virat Kohli's captaincy

Even if you believed Kohli-cam to be the most egregious example of a team game being turned into a personality cult, you might just find yourself missing it

www.espncricinfo.com

 

[NILAYSHAH60]

Not too sure if anyone saw this but that's very sweet of her.

AnushkaSharma1588 on Instagram: "I remember the day in 2014 when you told me that you have been made the captain as MS had decided to retire from test cricket. I remember MS, you & I having a chat later that day & him joking about how quickly your b

5M likes, 45K comments - anushkasharma on January 16, 2022: "I remember the day in 2014 when you told me that you have been made the captain as MS had decided to retire from test cricket. I remember MS, you & I having a chat later that day & him joking about how quickly your beard will start...

www.instagram.com

 

[WubbaLubbaDubDub]

Ok, I have finally come to terms with this resignation of test captaincy by Kohli. I have few words to say and I am not looking into any debate or arguments around it. Wow how to start! Virat Kohli 7 years ago in Australia taking over MSD was a decision I was really happy with. MSD while he was a great player, we could see his tactics did not work in tests. Thala did mention 7 years ago that split captaincy does not work in a country like India. When Shastri and Kohli took over the Indian reigns, we did struggle winning trophies, but we did not struggle winning matches. 2017 champions trophy, we reached finals, 2019 wc, we reached semi's. The only red spot in limited overs was 2021 T20 WC. The standard of cricket we see in India (fielding, bowling and fitness) is all because of Virat Kohli and his mindset, he was not the shrewdest captain, not the most street smart but that was a standard set by MSD.

While I was happy he stepped down from T20 captaincy, removing him from ODI captaincy was not exactly done well. While I am ok he is no longer captaining the limited format, I was not ready to see him not lead the test format. The success of Indian test team is because of Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri's leadership. From being a timid lame team losing overseas to become world no 1 and champion team in away conditions, this was because of Kohli's winning attitude.

I owe a lot of test cricket's finest memories in recent years to Kohli and his team. Yes cricket is a team sport and all 11 players are equally important for a win, I just want let Kohli take the credit for now. Thank you Virat Kohli for leading this team to a new standard. I really hope you will now be free from all the stress of leading the team and get back to being the beast you were in batting.

With Kohli stepping down and hopefully will not retire soon due to all the pressure he may or may not be facing due to politics, the T20 WC this year and 50 over WC next year would be my last of the last following cricket seriously. I have no connection with newer generation and I do not see Sharma leading us for a long time. KL as a captain can kiss my ass, I cannot and will not see any good in him as a leader.

 

[SaiSrini]

Not too sure if anyone saw this but that's very sweet of her.

AnushkaSharma1588 on Instagram: "I remember the day in 2014 when you told me that you have been made the captain as MS had decided to retire from test cricket. I remember MS, you & I having a chat later that day & him joking about how quickly your b

5M likes, 45K comments - anushkasharma on January 16, 2022: "I remember the day in 2014 when you told me that you have been made the captain as MS had decided to retire from test cricket. I remember MS, you & I having a chat later that day & him joking about how quickly your beard will start...

www.instagram.com

And yet again she got lots of brickbats for posting what she did yesterday!

It was a beautiful post and though a few things didn't concur with my overall opinion of Kohli's captaincy over the years, totally respect and appreciate the way she put it across! Its so tough being a strong independent and equally successful female person, in a country like India. Many Indian ppl like meek wives who dont open their mouths and dont have successful careers.

 

[WubbaLubbaDubDub]

And yet again she got lots of brickbats for posting what she did yesterday!

It was a beautiful post and though a few things didn't concur with my overall opinion of Kohli's captaincy over the years, totally respect and appreciate the way she put it across! Its so tough being a strong independent and equally successful female person, in a country like India. Many Indian ppl like meek wives who dont open their mouths and dont have successful careers.

The people who criticize her for saying her heart out for HER husband, are usually the ones who fantasize about having a woman like her in their life. Since they do not get it, its all bull load crap!

 

[icyman]

A Kohli free of captaincy burdens across formats might be very good for India. He still has a good 4-5 years in him and can expect him to be one of the deadliest batsmen around.

 

[icyman]

Just an afterthought- why not #LordShardul as captain ?

Solves a lot of problems for India...

 

[NILAYSHAH60]

Just an afterthought- why not #LordShardul as captain ?

Solves a lot of problems for India...

No way! No... no way! You cannot do that Ben Stokes You must not think about it @icyman

 

[icyman]

No way! No... no way! You cannot do that Ben Stokes You must not think about it @icyman

Been thinking about it, going to start a change.org request soon

 

[NILAYSHAH60]

Ok I have few thoughts now!

Firstly, I think we really need to do away with Rahane. I know it's hard on him but now we must be looking ahead. If Rahane is not to Captain India he should be moved on.

On Pujara, I don't think he has done badly at all. He just did not have a great series in England otherwise he was our best player in Australia. Also we can see that he scored runs under pressure at Wanderers and took on the bowlers in that first innings at Cape Town. So his stone is just set.

Shreyas Iyer should now just be our no.5. and we can look up to him as a long term option and look to play him for next 6-7 years!

On the Captaincy debate, irrespective of KLR or any such person is a good/bad Captain he needs to take that role until and unless Shreyas gets enough confidence to lead.

We need to move on with Rohit now for home games atleast. Given his exploits in England he can play till this cycle of WTC ends. And till that point give enough exposure to Shubman Gill. He is our man to go along with KLR for the opening pair.

Bumrah, Siraj are going strong so I don't think their replacements are needed that badly. Ishant I think is clearly done for good. Shami & Umesh are not going to stay for long either. Someone like Avesh Khan should get more A-games to prove his mettle.

I think Axar & Sundar can easily take over Ashwin & Jadeja when their time is up.

 

[SaiSrini]

Some thoughts from my side as India lost the first ODI today against South Africa and look more and more vulnerable in this super tricky transition period with two big world tournaments (T20 WC 2022 and ODI WC 2023) coming up very quickly.

- I strongly feel there needs to be a serious re-think about handing test captaincy to Rohit Sharma. Considering his fitness issues and how sensitive the discussions around our lack of ICC silverware have become in the past year or two, it makes a very important case for Rohit Sharma NOT TO BE given the test captaincy. If Rohit Sharma needs to skip some test series to preserve himself completely for limited overs leadership and focus single mindedly on winning us either or both of the ICC tournaments in the next 2 years, that should be the utmost priority!

- Considering the above point which according to me rules out Rohit Sharma getting the test captaincy, it turns our attention to the other captaincy contenders for test cricket. With India expected to play a significant chunk of test cricket this year at home or in the subcontinent, I feel there is a very strong case for Ashwin to be given the test captaincy. Most games at home or in the subcontinent will require a min of 2 spinners (at times, 3) and so Ashwin will not be blocking Jadeja or Axar. It could be a "Kumble" type captaincy stint for Ashwin where he helps groom the next test captain of India.

- KL Rahul continues to show evidence that he is NOT cut out for captaincy in any formats. It will be a huge blunder and one that could lead to Indian fans time traveling back to the 90's when India were meek abroad, if Rahul is given captaincy in any format. He should not even be vice captain in any format. His batting definitely shows signs of melt downs and thats not good for India.

Tough calls to make for Dravid and the selectors! In a way, its better to do the shake up now when Kohli and Rohit have some years of cricket left in their belt.

 

[icyman]

I agree with you @SaiSrini

Given the number of home Tests we would be playing, the onus of the team management shouldn't be on the Test side here. What we need is a focus on the LOI sides with a view to winning the CWC2023. I dunno why, but feel that the T20 2022 wouldn't end up in our cabinet. This is a team in transition, where they aren't selecting/ playing the best XI. Perhaps, twin jolts in this format may bring about a serious re-think in terms of strategies.

The Test captaincy debate-I figured I hadn't lent my perspective here. We, once again find ourselves in a time period, similar to that of 2007, when Dravid had relinquished the captaincy. Then, the nominated deputy was Yuvraj, but was never given the top role, as we were due to play a few important series. In today's day and age ,the ideal successor would have been Ajinkya Rahane, as astute captain, whose leadership has been applauded by many. Lack of form means he is on tenterhooks and might as well not turn up for the country again, in whites.

In my opinion though, Rahane is still the person to lead in the interim. The chances of India making a successive WTC Final appearance in 2023 are bleak. This basically means that the next 2 years can be used to treat the Indian Test team as a sandbox and experiment the hell out of it. Remember, we are playing at home. Rahane, can be categorically told that the next 2 years be his last (unless his form miraculously recovers where he score 2 triple hundreds, 3 double hundred in a calendar year), Indian captains need to be given specific targets and KPIs and they must achieve them, else they ought to relinquish.

The other candidate I feel can take over- as many here feel, is R Ashwin. Another brilliant reader of the game. Again, hand over the reigns keeping in mind a 2 years horizon only.

I have mentioned this point earlier on the forum- India needs multiple vice-captains. Just like what Australia did with Paine- Cummins-Head. Its is required, as it would enable the team management to identify the leaders and groom them accordingly. Rahul as vice-captain is doing more harm than what 2 vice-captains at loggerheads with each other would do.

 

[NILAYSHAH60]

Well let us be realistic. Indian team management have removed Rahane from the vice-Captaincy, which gives an indication that he is not going to be handed over the Captaincy. We know Rohit won't be there after few years but he was officially the vice-Captain of the team. Now in case the Captain steps down and immediate choice is the vice-Captain so there is a message that Rohit is going to Captain across format (this is my assessment and not something that I want it to happen).

I've seen enough of Dravid-the coach and he mostly eyes young players who are different from the rest in-terms of performance (just look at how Steve Smith was given the Captaincy of RR back in 2014). Irrespective whether KLR is a good choice or not, he is currently one of the best young players going around so he is going to support KLR-The Captain. Now the question is- Does this end over here?

No it doesn't, even if it is not official and neither did Dravid spoke about it but KLR is going to be given a year or 2 on temporary basis in case Rohit doesn't take up the role. And if he fails to impress, he would be replaced. Now the next choice that comes is Rishabh Pant. In an ideal scenario, both Pant and Iyer would be competing for that role. The performances of either player is going to decide who gets to Captain.

With all the reactions around, I still don't think KLR is a permanent choice.

If Bhuvi is able to deliver, then he is a sure shot candidate for the white-ball format. Bumrah and Jadeja are worth the try too! I really don't think Ashwin is going to Captain in either formats. I remember I vouched for him to becomes India's T20I Captain. But again, he is no where near the plans.

 

[Ashutosh.]

Captaincy skill doesn't matter. Batting skill matters. The best batsman of the team will be the captain.

 

[Neo 7]

Feel bad for Surya . India has wasted him . He's a dynamic batsman . Doesn't get choked while batting & keeps hitting boundaries every now and then . May even pip Shreyas Iyer or be at par