As I am writing, my mind went back to those unbelievable scenes just a year back at Gabba as India overpowered Australia in their own backyard. A team that went down to score its lowest ever total of 36 in the first test could go up 2-1 to retain the Gavaskar-Border trophy (that means succeeding series victory against the Aussies). It was an epic battle. India emerged triumphant.
Last year, India pulverized England in its overseas tour to lead 2-1. If Corona did not strike, one could bet safely that India was tipped to win the series there.
This success story did not come overnight. It was not scripted by an excitable script writer of Bollywood. It happened after tireless industry and planning; not to mention the not-to- surrender-easily mentality instilled in the team.
It all happened under its head coach Ravi Shastri and his comrade-in-arms, Virat Kohli.
The duo helped India hold on to number one ranking in test cricket for a substantive part of time. Indian bowling looked deadly in terms of Jaspreet Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and rookie Mohammed Siraz. It was indeed splendid to see speedsters were unleashed and opponents cowered. Stumps were cartwheeled and eleven players converged to form a sprightly huddle. It seldom happened earlier.
This year India faced a weakest-ever South-Africa. And India surrendered tamely both in tests and one-days. Actually in ODIs, India suffered a humiliating 3-0 whitewash. Kohli resigned from captaincy after test defeat.
Indian cricket seems to be at crossroads. What turn it will take is for all of us to see in the coming days. Cricket, a game of uncertainties with a great degree of certainty, can play out its tricky game to determine India’s future. Rahul Dravid, new coach, needs time to create a suitable landscape and eco-system where players can adjust themselves fast and respond accordingly. It is this Rahul Dravid who has helped build a strong India A side that gives a steady supply to the senior team. Now at the helm, Dravid has to repeat what he has done with the reserve team of Indian side.
So good-bye to Shastri-Kohli. Indian cricket lovers will remember them for playing a brand of fearless classy cricket with a gung-ho aggression; a superlative new from generational cricketers. A big Thank You to Shastri-Kohli.