- Team India: After the victory in the first test match against Bangladesh, Team India is facing more problems. Know what things captain Rohit and coach Gambhir need to work on.
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India Beat Bangladesh 1st Test:
India has won the first test match in Chennai by 280 runs. Ravichandran Ashwin made a significant contribution to Team India’s victory by scoring a century in the first innings, while Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant made a significant contribution by scoring a century in the second innings. On the other hand, other bowlers including Jasprit Bumrah and Ashwin also made a significant contribution. Let us tell you that this series is important in terms of the World Test Championship. In such a situation, many things can put captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Gautam Gambhir in trouble.
1. Form of Virat and Rohit
It is no secret that this year has proved to be very bad for Virat Kohli. Apart from the final of the T20 World Cup 2024, he could not show anything special in the entire tournament. At the same time, he scored only 23 runs in 2 innings against Bangladesh.
Kohli has not even touched the 400-run mark in all three formats this year. On the other hand, captain Rohit Sharma’s poor performance continues in Test matches against Bangladesh. He could score only 11 runs in both innings of the recent Test match. The big and important Test series against Australia is not far away. In such a situation, the pair of Virat and Rohit not scoring runs can become a big problem for the Indian team.
2. Mohammed Siraj needs to become more effective
Mohammad Siraj was the highest wicket-taker in international matches last year i.e. in 2023. He took a total of 60 wickets, but this year he is not able to play the role of a supporting bowler properly. On one hand, Bumrah is the highest wicket-taker in all three formats this year, while Siraj has been able to take only 20 wickets in 2024. He took only 2 wickets in the first Test against Bangladesh. If India does not have to face defeat after reaching the WTC final for the third time, then Siraj will have to do better as a supporting pace bowler.
3. Eyes on WTC Final
The Indian team has to play 9 more Test matches till the end of this year. Bangladesh, then 3 Test matches against New Zealand and then the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia will also be important in terms of the World Test Championship. The upcoming challenges will not be easy for the Indian team. In such a situation, Rohit and company will have to win the next Test match at all costs. If this does not happen, then the path to the final may be difficult for India.
India’s recent victory against Bangladesh in Chennai might seem like a cause for celebration, but beneath the surface, there are some concerning issues that could trouble both captain Rohit Sharma and former cricketer Gautam Gambhir, who has been vocal about his thoughts on the Indian team’s direction. Although India clinched a convincing win, there are key aspects of the game that suggest the team has a few weaknesses that need immediate attention. These cracks could prove costly in upcoming matches, especially against stronger teams.
In this blog, we’ll explore the three major concerns that India should address before getting too comfortable with their win in Chennai.
1. India’s Middle-Order Woes
India’s middle-order has been a point of concern for quite some time, and the match against Bangladesh highlighted this issue yet again. While the top order has been performing consistently, the middle-order batsmen are struggling to step up when the team needs them most.
After a solid start by Rohit Sharma and his opening partner, the middle-order batsmen failed to capitalize. Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, and even Hardik Pandya have not been firing consistently in recent matches. Against Bangladesh, India’s middle-order collapse could have been disastrous if it weren’t for the solid foundation laid by the top order.
The over-reliance on the top three is evident, and this weakness could be exposed by stronger bowling attacks in future matches. Gautam Gambhir has often stressed the importance of a stable middle-order to take the pressure off the top order, and this match showed why his concerns are valid.
If India’s middle-order continues to falter, it could leave the team vulnerable, especially in high-pressure situations or knockout games. Rohit and the team management will need to find a solution—whether it’s shuffling the batting order, rotating players, or working on the form of existing players—to avoid this becoming a serious issue.
2. Inconsistent Bowling in the Death Overs
India’s bowling unit, while strong, has shown inconsistencies in the death overs, and the Bangladesh game was no exception. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj have been excellent with the new ball, but their performances in the final overs of the innings have been patchy at best.
In Chennai, India allowed Bangladesh to score more than they should have in the final five overs of their innings. The lack of control, especially with the likes of Bumrah, Siraj, and Hardik Pandya in the attack, is worrying. This could become a bigger problem when India faces stronger batting line-ups that are known to exploit any weaknesses in the death overs.
Gautam Gambhir, a keen observer of the game, has often pointed out that India’s death bowling needs fine-tuning. Even Rohit Sharma, who relies heavily on his bowlers to restrict the opposition in the final overs, will be concerned with the lack of precision and execution during this phase of the game.
Addressing this issue is crucial. India cannot afford to give away easy runs towards the end of the innings, especially in tight matches. Rohit and the team management will need to work on specific death-bowling strategies to ensure that bowlers maintain discipline and focus under pressure.
3. Fielding Standards Slipping Under Pressure
One of the unsung aspects of India’s success in recent years has been their much-improved fielding, but the Chennai game showed signs of decline in this area. There were several dropped catches, misfields, and missed run-out opportunities, which allowed Bangladesh to extend their innings and score crucial runs.
Fielding is an area where no team can afford to slip, especially in close contests where every run saved is vital. India’s fielding against Bangladesh lacked the sharpness and intensity that has become synonymous with the team in recent times. Even experienced players were guilty of errors, something that Rohit and Gambhir will both find unacceptable.
Gambhir has always emphasized the importance of fielding as a game-changer, and it’s an area that Rohit Sharma, as captain, will need to address urgently. Whether it’s improving agility, practicing under pressure, or tweaking fielding positions, India needs to return to the high standards they have set in the past.
Conclusion: Time for Reflection, Not Celebration
While India’s victory against Bangladesh in Chennai adds another win to their tally, it’s clear that the team still has areas to improve upon. The middle-order struggles, inconsistent death bowling, and slipping fielding standards are all red flags that could hurt India in the future.
Rohit Sharma, as captain, will need to focus on these issues and ensure that the team addresses them before facing tougher challenges. Gautam Gambhir, known for his critical yet insightful observations, will likely continue to point out these flaws, and it’s up to the team to take note and work on them.
India cannot afford to be complacent. The Chennai victory should be viewed as a reminder that, while the team is in good form, there are still weaknesses that need to be corrected if they are to continue their winning ways and aim for larger goals in the tournament.
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