At time of writing, it should have been day five of the third Test between India and England at Leeds; but here we are as Indian fans left dejected and disappointed but still hopeful as always.
The fate of this Test was sealed on day one, in the first session, wasn’t it? That day three performance gave us some hope, only to crumble on day four, again in the first session, like a castle built on air.
Dejection and disappointment comes from expectations, some of which are probably high, but this is where ‘Kohlism’ comes in, isn’t it? There’s no doubt that under Kohli, the Indian Test side has transformed itself into a fighter if not a winner in SENA countries, rather than just being the pushover that they used to be.
There is nothing subtle in the approach that has raw emotions packed with aggression and strong self-belief. This comes from the top and percolates down. If the win in the second Test from a position of losing raised expectations, the loss in the third Test – especially the way India lost – only brought everyone down hard to earth.
Ouch.
It hurts but this side does not fear losing. We saw this earlier this year in Australia as well after the Adelaide debacle and the subsequent bounce back.
(Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)
At the moment, the standard deviation (or beta) is on the higher side, hence the inconsistency. So what do we do to be more consistent? This is where pragmatism comes in and one needs to have the ability to accept realities however harsh they may be.
Under Kohli, while the bowling unit has become potent with great depth and character, the same cannot be said about the batting. This team struggles to score over 225 runs on an average in each innings in SENA countries, which is not good enough to win consistently. No doubt conditions are tough, but we should not turn a blind eye and comfort ourselves.
It used to be opening woes but now it’s middle order muddle with wicket keeper and the fast bowlers a lottery. The WTC final was not lost because India played two spinners and three seamers, but because we were underprepared, our batting as usual faltered and more importantly, out of the three seamers, one was not Mohammed Siraj.
So, batting is the Achilles heel that needs to be addressed while maintaining the overall balance.
Rohit Sharma failed many times and was not successful in away Tests, he lost out but given his talent, he pulled it up and is delivering as an opener now. Rahul, though not preferred to open by the management, seems to be coping up better than the others, at least for now.
Virat Kohli is too good a player to underperform for long but he needs to apply himself and be prepared to grind it out. Every batsman would have weaknesses but how you use your strength and not allow the opposition to exploit your weakness is where the challenge lies.
As far as Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane are concerned, both seem to be having more technical challenges, with the latter vulnerable to both spin and pace.
Ajinkya Rahane (Photo by William West/AFP via Getty Images)
Rishabh Pant needs better defensive technique and needs to understand the difference between playing freely and playing carelessly. He has improved his keeping but his batting is a worry. Ravindra Jadeja is good, though I would still go with Ravichandran Ashwin and three seamers, with Siraj always in.
A reason why Rahul Dravid was so successful in England was because he was good both off the front foot and back foot. Also, he knew very well where his off stump was, so as to know which ones to play and which ones to leave.
Both Pujara and Rahane are taking half measures and failing in similar fashion. Pant is poking outside off or looking to play through cover when the ball is angled across him, should he not look to play with his bat close to his pad inside the line of the ball (defence) or play square with a horizontal bat (attack).
Jumping down the track or playing fancy shots don’t help all the time. There should be a method to the madness. At the moment there isn’t one. Is anyone telling this to him?
Even players with more than 50 Tests need help, and that’s where the batting coach and head coach need to play their roles better. I am assuming people with demi-god status are receptive and professional in their approach.
What is the batting bench strength? With Shubman Gill injured, I doubt Prithvi Shaw and Mayank Agarwal can deliver in these conditions as openers.
Hanuma Vihari is a hard worker with limited talent – not sure how he will score even 25 runs consistently. That leaves us with Suryakumar Yadav, who can be handed debut in the middle order but how is he shaping up in these conditions in the nets, only the team management would know.
Do they have it in them to drop Rahane or maybe give him a break to work on his game and try SKY? Mind you, I like Rahane, but it pains to see him struggle this way.
It’s time we enhance the bench strength for batting in Tests. The coaches need to do their jobs better. Long rope must be given as it’s an investment you make – it builds confidence and limits insecurity that affects one’s performance. At the same time, there is a need to see the fine line that can lead to long-term underperformance and shuts out players with better potential.
With due respect to the current England side, one must admit that this is not their strongest side, so India are not going to get a better chance to win a series in England.
Can they do it?
Suresh Rangaseshan
Roar Rookie
The problem with Rahane as a captain is "Rahane the batsman". As far as Virat is concerned, he needs to be more approachable and a better listener. People like Rohit Sharma and Ashwin are there to offer good advice both onfield and off the field.
Suresh Rangaseshan
Roar Rookie
Quote "Virat has yet to win a single ICC trophy , yet we keep talking about his aggressive approach transforming our team into something that only exists in our mind." Unquote...this is what i meant by Kohlism What one attributes to him and one does not is very subjective
Paul
Roar Guru
This is an excellent analysis IMO and a very good read, Suresh. That said, I think there's a simple reality we're all missing. England has Joe Root and when he's on song with the bat, England will lift. It's no surprise that the matches where he's "failed" they've lost while the opposite is equally true in recent times. Virat Kholi is to India what Joe Root is to England, only more so. When Kohli's in form with the bat, the team can bat around him and of they do that, generally make enough runs to win most Tests. They also feed off the positive energy he provides in such large amounts, both when batting but especially in the field. Guys at this elite level of Test batting don't take a lot to turn ordinary form back into super form and maybe that second innings at Headingley was just what Kohli needed to kick start a form reversal. If so, I'm sure we'll see a very different India in the next two tests.
La grandeur d'Athéna
Roar Rookie
I am reading the article and thinking myself if there was another opinion piece I did read where both of my disagreement and agreement was at it's highest level. I cannot understand the meaning of kohlism. Under his captaincy we won two test match in two tours in England, one test match in South Africa and a series win against a second string Australian side on pretty flat surfaces. Australia has most flat surfaces among all SENA countries. Our fast bowling has improved leaps and bounds but i am pretty sure virat did not do a thing there. How, can i tell? Well , because we could defeat an Australian side with full strength with our depleted squad sticking to our natural game without any virat theatrics . I do not think we ever were a pushover in SENA countries. Virat has yet to win a single ICC trophy , yet we keep talking about his aggressive approach transforming our team into something that only exists in our mind. For our batting woes, i believe we are in for long trouble. There is no standout performer in our domestic circuit. SKY is only batsman in squad I believe deserve his opportunity . But will they make that bold call? We shall see. I am also interested to see what they have to say about Rishabh's aggressive approach, is that what they call it? There is a reason why player like Glenn Maxwell does not get chance in their test team. We can pamper it with fancy words such as unorthodox, aggressive all we want, but that is not how test cricket is played. We have seen more than enough attacking batters in test matches who have succeeded, because they have sound techniques and understanding of game situation.
Suresh Rangaseshan
Roar Rookie
Hi Ian....i agree to a large extent on Virat Kohli's captaincy, team selection and the need for him to focus on his game rather than on the on field banters. Ashwin will be a good captain for sure but thats not happening. Lets see how the last 2 tests play out. With Wood and Woakes set to come in, England will be more confident for sure
Ian
Roar Rookie
Why not...if only for the next 2 tests?
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Perth. Very close to home for you Micko. Local boy Kim Hughes scored a ton in second innings. This was the test where Dennis Lillee very cowardly kicked Javed Miandad.
Micko
Roar Rookie
Rahane was excellent as captain in Australia. Maybe it's time Kohli gave it up?
Micko
Roar Rookie
Where was that?
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Yes it was … by one run. In 1981-82 Australia were bowled out by Pakistan for 180 and then bowled Pakistan out for 62. Headingly 2019 Australia 179 bowled England out for 67.
Micko
Roar Rookie
Seriously, that was a record???
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
I was born in October 1972, two months after the last time an Ashes test was won by the side batting second. I believe there have also not been two many other instances in non Ashes tests. So, I would imagine that who bats first at the Oval will at least not lose.
Ian
Roar Rookie
Good post Suresh.I can understand your disappointment.I find the current situation quite bizarre though.It’s not too long ago that we were all being force fed of a diet of complete Indian dominance in the Test match arena for years to come.They have so many players coming through,champing at the bit to get a go at Test match level,that the rest of the cricketing world doesn’t stand a chance.Young gun openers,red hot middle order players,mystery spinners and hungry young seamers were all ready to storm the barricades if required.With total respect,where are they all now? I know injuries and Covid have played a significant part but I simply can’t believe that Ravi Ashwin hasn’t played a test yet (nor can Ravi I think!) There just seems to be an air of complete hubris from Virat Kohli and those that he dominates in Indian cricket at the moment.I love Kohli.I’ve loved watching him bat,I love his passion but what I don’t love is his total disrespectful attitude to the game itself.His recent batting form in general and his current form in particular has been beyond poor.Yet he still insists on strutting around and arguing with everyone that crosses his path.I’ve commented before that perhaps the best thing India could do for the remaining 2 Tests is remove him from the captaincy and tell him (if Virat can be told anything) to concentrate on his batting and nothing else.Do you think Ravi Ashwin could captain the side for the last 2 Tests? This has been a wonderful test match series and has gripped peoples attention in this country (a difficult thing to do with the EPL in full swing) and it would be terribly sad if the series ended in a damp squib due to the arrogance of one man.The way the series has gone,Indian will no doubt thrash England by an innings and 500 at the Oval in which case I’ll issue you with a grovelling apology but watching the Indian top order batting,it’s hard to see that happening.6 months ago India seemed to have a conveyor belt of brilliant young players just waiting for their opportunities.Where are they now?
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Well, by Renato's analysis, that 112 lead we had at Headingly two years ago was more like 162, whereas India trailing by 50 going in to their 2nd innings here would be an even game. It's a sound theory, and I agree with it, though I don't think you can set it at a blanket 50 or 45 or whatever ... each situation would be it's own determination and I'm sure Renato realises that. It certainly took a lot of ineptness to lose from a position of scoring the lowest first innings total in history to lead by 100 or more on first innings.
Micko
Roar Rookie
What’s interesting to note is we were rolled for around 180 odd in our first innings at Headingley in 2019: so like a 110 run lead roughly?
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
"The fate of this Test was sealed on day 1, in the first session, wasn’t it?" Yes it was. India's only hope from that point was to bowl England out for around 128 or less.