The decision to appoint Bavuma and Elgar as captains is looking a brilliant one right now. Their top four of QdK, Janneman, Bavuma and Rassie is in supreme form. Markram seems the only weak link, but he’s been good in T20Is. This team with Rabada and Nortje can be a contender in 2022 and 2023.
I have to agree that Temba Bavuma has grown as a captain and definitely surprised me. I had, long ago made a comment about how he wasn't the best fit for SA captaincy and that he was chosen only cause of the quota restrictions. Believe, I was engaged in a verbal duel with
@CerealKiller &
@Bevab .
I was wrong! I take back my words against him
Here is my rating for the team (feel free to disagree with these)
Firstly, what happened to India!! I feel like with Kohli gone as captain the energy that always surrounds the team seems to have completely dissipated. Even Kohli himself seems subdued and passive in the field.
1. KL Rahul - (5/10) For some time now, I have noticed his change of role from the usually attacking batsman that broke into the side to a real passive strike rotator for both Punjab Kings and India. I guess he aims to bat through the innings like a Joe Root but seems a waste when you already have Kohli for that role at 3.
2. Shikhar Dhawan - (8/10) No real complaints about him, went out and played his shots and got India off to decent starts in all the ODI's - good half-centuries and at a good pace.
3. Virat Kohli - (8.5/10) Once again, literally nothing to complain about. People keep raging on about the lack of a 100 but he is still hitting solid half centuries and doing his role well - the 100's will come when they come, its just a matter of time
4. Rishabh Pant - (6.5/10) Extremely talented lad! Definitely something special but just like everyone says needs to just use his brain a little more. Horrendous shot to get out in the last game that too off the first ball. Should really be the one guiding the chase - did a great job in the second game and should have scored an easy 100
5. Shreyas Iyer - (5/10) - Once again, same as Pant. Definitely a guy for the future but I feel he is playing a spot lower than he should. Ideally, he should be at 4 with Pant at 5. I think teams have started to notice his vulnerability to the short ball and have started to exploit it.
6a. Venkatesh Iyer - (4/10) Too small sample size to judge but don't really see the point of including him as an allrounder. Doesn't seem anything at all special to play as an allrounder especially if he struggles to get wickets in the first two games where the pitch would have suited his style of medium pace dollies. I assume its a like-for-like replacement of Hardik Pandya's power?
6b. Suryakumar Yadav - (6/10) Really like him as a batman but you can't play him the low - it's a completely wasted slot for a genuine batsman.
7a. Deepak Chahar - (7/10) Obviously a decent swing bowler and can definitely swing the bat a bit - can't complain about his performance
7b. Bhuvaneshwar Kumar- (2/10) Honestly he is done as an opening bowler in ODI's - waste of bowling slot. How can your premier front line seamer have an average of 35??? Survived so long by finishing the games well as a death bowler but complete waste in the XI.
8. Ravichandran Ashwin - (6/10) Decent in ODI's as he has always been but always seem to lack the potency. Nothing new - seem to be a recurring theme with him. Once again, his batting gives him an edge over others.
9. Jasprit Bumrah - (7.5/10) - UNPOPULAR OPINION but Bumrah is completely wasted opening the bowling especially when the likes of Bhuvi are bowling in tandem. Batsman knows just to play him out and get the runs with Bhuvi or the other end. He has only taken 2 wickets in the first 10 since the 2019 WC. He's a class act and one of the best at the death and always the go-to for a wicket. Better of using him in the middle and end, maybe bring him on as a 3rd seamer.
10. Yuzvendra Chahal- (6/10) Decent leggy, seems to always be a little unlucky with his bowling and seems to lose it a little when the batsman make an effort to go after him - as Rassie did for his 100 and Bavuma for his
11. Prasidh Krishna - (6/10) Tall guy with a decent bouncer but I feel like he will a USP - don't seem to be a swing or seam bowler nor got that pace to trouble the batsman - will observe him a bit more. Saw him get taken to the cleaners a little in the IPL.
Your analysis is based, more on past laurels of the players than the existing series performances. To start off, what happened to India- you can say deplorable. However, the energy point is something on which I would take a personal grouse with Virat. Yes, you have been sacked from the leadership, but does that dilute your passion for representing the country??? If you aren't sure/ comfy with the environment, take a mental health break. But, for a person to go from HERO to ZERO passion within a span of 7 days is incomprehensible.
The remainder of your analysis-
Spot On: Dhawan, Iyer, Chahal, Ashwin, Bhuvi, Chahar
Unnecessary: Prasidh- he played a single game and did well in the said game. I would probably rate him higher for his ability to come in and take wickets against a rampaging SA line up.
Challenged Ratings:
1. KL Rahul- 1/10. As a captain, he lacked the intensity. If I were made captain, I would be quite into the role, even if it was going against me. KLR's batting left much to be desired as well. He slowed down, akin to what he used to do with PBKS. Team selections too, weren't carefully thought out.
2. Kohli -5/10. The captaincy intensity as mentioned in my opening statement+ his batting form. Yes, he scored. But, as a senior batsman, he ought to to have stayed in and seen a few matches through. The interactions with KLR were non existent and should have lent a hand to him whilst captaining. Made it look like a Pakistan team from the 1990s(every 2nd player was captain back then)
3. Rishab Pant -4/10. You aren't a kid anymore. You've played a senior CWC and have won matches for India. If brainless cricket is the way to go, maybe he'd top the ICC's rating charts for infinity. Very disappointed with him. With the team in trouble,commanding a #4 spot, Rishab should calculate the risks carefully before going for his strokes.
4. Venky Iyer- 2/10. At best, either a T20 specialist OR a reminder to not to select people like Swapnil Asnodkar/ Manpret Gony based on IPL exploits alone. Can't fault him for not being bowled. But, could have lived up to his hard hitting reputation.
5. Surya Kumar Yadav- 4/10. Yes, you played only one game. But you have been a senior pro for quite some time. You lead Mumbai state, in the leadership at KKR, thereby, yo ought to know when to dig in. Expected a bit more here.
6. Jasprit Bumrah- 5/10. Sitting vice-captain, what did you do? Bumrah has seemed a little less effective of late. You are right in stating he's lost his zing and I do hope he comes back strong.
Over and Out to Rohit,now!
