After a hiatus of more than a month, cricket fans are ready to see familiar faces like captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and coach Gautam Gambhir back in action. Team India has been on leave since their ODI series against Sri Lanka last month, but it’s time for them to gear up again. With a Test series against Bangladesh set to kick off on September 19, players will gather for a crucial training camp in Chennai starting Thursday, November 12. The selection committee has already announced the squad for the first Test, and the players will commence their practice sessions at the iconic Chepauk Stadium. This isn’t just an ordinary training camp; it’s a calculated effort to address three pivotal questions ahead of a Bangladeshi team that is becoming increasingly formidable.
Reviving Team India’s Competitive Edge
Despite a recent victory in the T20 World Cup, Team India faced disappointment when they lost the ODI series against Sri Lanka. As they transition back into the white jersey and the traditional red ball game, this marks a significant return for seasoned players after a break of one to two and a half months. The senior roster, including stalwarts like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Jasprit Bumrah, faces challenges in regaining match fitness. Fortunately, many squad members participated in the first round of the Duleep Trophy, giving them a head start. Hence, it’s critical to explore answers to three pressing questions during this training camp.
Determining a Balanced Playing XI
First and foremost, Rohit and Gambhir must finalize the playing eleven. The pre-series training camp serves as an essential opportunity to gauge player readiness and develop a strategy against the upcoming opponents. A crucial decision lies in choosing the bowling combination: should they opt for three spinners and two pacers or four spinners and a lone pacer? If three spinners are chosen, Ashwin and Jadeja are likely to secure their spots, but the third spinner is up for debate between Akshar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav. Furthermore, while the top four batting positions seem settled, the fifth spot raises questions regarding whether to trust KL Rahul or to give Sarfaraz Khan a shot after his impressive recent performances in the Duleep Trophy.
Formulating a Strategy Against Spin Threats
In recent years, Indian batsmen have struggled to handle quality spin bowling, particularly on home pitches. Historically, they have faced minimal threats from spinners, except for Australia’s Nathan Lyon. However, facing Bangladesh will complicate matters, given their skillful spin duo of Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Shakib Al Hasan. Both bowlers have consistently troubled batsmen, not just at home but also during their recent victories in Pakistan. The situation is aggravated by the fact that Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Shubman Gill have frequently faltered against spinners, with Rohit Sharma also facing difficulties against left-arm spin. If coach Gambhir can address these concerns effectively, the training camp will be deemed a success.
Trusting the Middle Order
Captain Rohit Sharma has carved out a reputation for himself in Test cricket over the past four to five years, playing a pivotal role in Team India’s victories both at home and abroad. Young talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal and wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant have also made their mark with aggressive styles of play. However, concerns loom over the third, fourth, and fifth batting positions, particularly regarding Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul. Gill faced scrutiny prior to scoring two centuries against England, and while he has improved, his place in the squad is still under assessment. Kohli and Rahul have struggled with form, though they showed promise in South Africa. Coming back from an extended break, they face the imminent challenge of performing under pressure on spin-friendly pitches, making it crucial for both the coach and captain to find ways to bolster their confidence and consistency.
