A forgettable outing at the world stage yet again might just act as the trigger for a change in team management at several levels. While fingers were already being pointed out at Chetan Sharma’s selection committee before the 15-member squad travelled Down Under, the mauling in Adelaide will definitely force the BCCI to make some tough calls.
In the hindsight, for India, experience alone is not doing the magic in the ICC tournaments. And age, age can drive the BCCI up the wall for it has backfired yet again. Whether the board now opts for the flamboyance of youth, remains to be seen. But one thing is for sure, after another disappointing display, heads will roll!
The 15-member squad had 9 players above the age of 30, out of which 4 of the senior-most players will be above 35 in the next edition of the T20 World Cup which will be played in 2024. Apart from skipper Rohit Sharma(35), Dinesh Karthik(37) and R Ashwin (36) these names also include the revitalized Virat Kohli (34), who emerged as the backbone of Team India’s campaign in the 2022 edition. Even as there are a few between ages 30-35, their failure to justify their position in the side may pave the way for Team India to look to the future.
From the leadership perspective as well, India clearly need to change gears. Rohit Sharma has been the most successful skipper in the Indian Premier League, the victorious run even translated in the bilateral series, but it got all phased out when it mattered the most. India were first embarrassed in Asia Cup, then at the T20 World Cup stage. However, Hardik Pandya proving himself in his first-ever season as the skipper at Gujarat Titans, leading India to triumph in the T20I bilateral series vs Ireland and then being named as the skipper for the upcoming New Zealand T20I series is probably a hint at him being the best bet for the resenting Men in Blue.
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