Picture : Twitter/ BCCI
Rohit Sharma Skippered Team India went down in the much anticipated World Test Championship final 2023 to Australia by 209 runs . It was their second loss at the WTC final having lost earlier to New Zealand . The loss therefore has put the ball in BCCI’s court as to what are their priority . IPL or India – National Pride ?
“You must set your priorities, right? What is the priority? India or franchise cricket? You have to decide that. If you say franchise cricket, then forget this (WTC final). If this is important, then as the custodian of the sport, the BCCI are the bosses. There should be a clause in the IPL contract that if they need a player out of the IPL in the interest of India, they have the right to do it,” former India head coach Ravi Shastri in blunt comment told Star Sports.
The Tata IPL schedule of 2023 has come under flak since the final ended on a reserve day May 30 . And The WTC final was from June 7-11 . While the Indian players had to content with overcast cold conditions at The Oval and even wearing sweaters to keep themselves warm. It was completely contrast to the weather during the IPL where they played all through the 14 match matches for two- months in energy sapping hot conditions . The timing were not easy 3: 30 pm and 7: 30 pm. With big money on the table there no complaints about work load or conditions. Having played T20 for two- months it was not easy to switch over to the longer format in the Ultimate Test. Aussies were fit, fresh while Indian’s were jaded and tired. The energy was missing in the field . And hence it was no surprise with the end result.
And under fire for yet another no-show . Team India head Coach Rahul Dravid got candid while speaking to Star sports .
“I’m never going to be happy with the preparations as a coach. But that’s the reality I’m ready to accept, and we all have to accept. The schedules are so cramped and tight. These guys know… if you’re playing international cricket, and if you’re here 3 weeks before the tour, playing two side-games, you are going to be better prepared.”
“But we don’t have that. The situation doesn’t allow it. We have to make do with what we can. No excuses, no complaints, I just want to congratulate Australia on winning the final, they played better than us on all five days.
“We just need to look at ourselves, see how we can get better, and what we can improve on,” the India head coach said.
For Dravid and Skipper Rohit Sharma the WTC2023 final loss was another disappointment after the Asia Cup loss in 2022, The T20 World Cup 2022. The latest loss adds pressure on them to deliver on the marque event at home ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 at home from October. The Oval final loss hurts more since the last time India won a ICC Trophy It was under Mahendra Singh Dhoni way back in 2013 the Champions Trophy. The wait now continues .
Yes, Ravichandran Ashwin not in playing eleven and opting to bowl after winning the toss in overcast conditions by Rohit Sharma in the WTC2023 final has come under scrutiny and blamed for the loss . But , Rohit’s move appeared to pay- off but Travis Head and Steve Smith took the match away from India with their scintillating partnership and eventually the match the Aussie way .
One can only guess that the reason Rohit opted to bowl after winning toss was due to perhaps the 36 all- out debacle at Adelaide in D/ N Test during India’s tour of Australia 2020-21. It must be there in the back of his mind . Given the quality of the Aussie pace attack – Captain Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc. Scott Boland, Cameron Green. They could have ripped through the Indian batting in these conditions.
Going forward the BCCI has to to be clear what it wants . First denying central contract to Ajinkya Rahane was utter nonsense. And to bring him back showed BCCI and selectors in poor light . Rahane silenced his critics and the selectors by forcing his way back in the side and at the Oval stood tall with scores of 89 and 46 . He looked solid and showed his class. Much was talked about Cheteshwar Pujara’s English county stint , he flopped when it mattered . It is now time to move on from Pujara with the likes of Shreyas Iyer( when fit), Suryakumar Yadav waiting in the wings .
Perhaps the biggest reason Australia won and India lost is because Aussie players had their priorities right . Indian players were not willing to miss out of the IPL to keep themselves fresh for t national commitments . Australia Test skipper Pat Cummins showed the way as he had no regrets of not playing the two- month long IPL 2023 and going into the WTC final with not much practice. Cummins did look rusty during the WTC2023 final with several no- balls. Much unlike him. But by giving priority to National team over cash- rich IPL he has given a strong message .
Aussie Fast bowler Mitchell Starc was clear what he intended to do . Several colleagues of Starc have appeared in various T20 leagues across the globe such as the IPL, Big Bash, but the left-arm pacer has managed to stay away from the lure. “I enjoyed it (IPL), likewise I enjoyed my time at Yorkshire 10 years ago, but Australia will always sit at the top. I don’t regret any of it, money will come and go but I’m very grateful for the opportunities I’ve had,” Starc told The Guardian. “Over a hundred years of Test cricket and there’s been less than 500 men who have played it for Australia, that in itself makes it very special to be a part of it. “The traditionalist in me still hopes there is a generation of boys and girls who want to represent their country in Test cricket. But the easy money is in franchise cricket, it’s the fast track to notoriety,” he added.
Will the likes Of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli , KL Rahul follow Cummins and Starc is a million dollar question. BCCI should realise that it is no point having the richest Board , the cash – rich IPL , the largest stadium ( Narendra Modi stadium) if the team is unable to win a ICC trophy.
The fact that BCCI did not care much about the WTC2023 final loss could be seen brazenly as they quickly announced India’s tour of West Indies in July. And clash with arch – rivals Pakistan on October 15 during the ICC 2023 World Cup at Ahmedabad on October 15 at Narendra Modi stadium. Finally, If questions are asked to Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma for the debacle then questions should be there for Jay Shah, BCCI Secretary too ?
