Has the BCCI learnt anything from their past mistakes?

BCCI announced the Indian World Cup squad on 30th April, Tuesday. There were a total of 7 changes from the T20 World Cup squad of 2022. Some players were out of contention after the 2022 World Cup which led to a different looking squad this time. But moreover, the playing XI will be very similar to that of the last time. Overall, it was an expected squad with not many bombshells dropped. But still, there were a couple of decisions that raised eyebrows in the media and amongst people. The primary one was the non-inclusion of Rinku Singh. Also, looking at the 4 spinners in the squad, the selectors feel that the pitches will be turning. But is this squad that will finally end India’s trophy drought? Has the BCCI learned from their previous mistakes?

Being an Indian selector is a brutal tough job. Sometimes tougher than playing the sport itself. You are always in the talks of the media and the people for the decisions you make. Every decision you take has a counterargument to it. Nowadays there are massive fan clubs of each player who are there to pounce on you for not choosing their favorite player. 

This is the second time that the T20 World Cup has been played after the completion of IPL. The decision making of selectors becomes more challenging because of multiple players performing just before the World Cup. This is where things become tricky. Such times need strong characters and a philosophy that the team is built upon. 

Veterans over young brigade – A good decision?

The preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup began just after the ODI World Cup ended. India played a T20 series 4 days after completion of the high pressure ODI World Cup 2023. It was quite obvious that the senior players would opt for rest. Just to name a few Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, and Jasprit Bumrah were rested for the T20 series. Hence new newcomers like Jaiswal, Gill, Rinku Singh, Tilak Varma, Jitesh Sharma, Bishnoi, and Avesh Khan were included. At that moment, there was a big question mark over Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the T20 setup. Just like Dhoni’s young brigade, there was a possible chance of a fresh looking fearless young Indian squad to travel for the World Cup in the Caribbean and USA. The youngsters were going hammer and tonks in the bilaterals and the intent of scoring quickly was evident. Players like Tilak Varma and Jitesh Sharma brought explosiveness in the middle overs. But cometh the World Cup, we still have almost the similar top 7 as the previous World Cup. There’s no harm in playing the same players, but the problem lies in the lack of planning by the BCCI and the team management prior to the World Cup. All the efforts bore no fruit once they stuck back to their old guns. 

Too many cooks spoiling the meal?

In a country like India where the talent pool is very huge, it becomes even tougher to narrow it down to 15 players. Almost every player in the squad has at least 2-3 backups. India is spoilt for choices and in turn, is spoiling Indian cricket to some extent. Indian cricketers have a hectic calendar. The jam packed schedule means that there is rotation amongst the players. The youngsters get opportunities due to the rest and injuries or senior players are preparing for a test series. 

However, the management and the selectors must not move away from their original plans. They should stick to their philosophy and pick players accordingly. For say, if they have decided to go for an attacking opener, they must find a player who offers that skillset rather than a player having better stats. The selection should be role based and based on the team’s requirements rather than statistics oriented. 

Lack of Role Based Selection, more focus on Big Names

The BCCI made it clear that the IPL form will not be considered in selecting a particular player. But on the selection day, the selectors picked Yuzevendra Chahal, and Rishabh Pant in the side ahead of their replacements who were in contention before the IPL began. Chahal and Pant were definitely the deserving candidates, but what about the players who were part of the journey until now? He was amongst the top 5 wicket takers last year too. Why didn’t the selectors back him since then? What is the sudden mindshift change that made the selectors pick him ahead of Bishnoi?

Until now, India went in with Jitesh Sharma who could attack from ball one. But with Rishabh Pant now in the side, things can be a little messy. Pant is an extraordinary player, but he needs 5-10 balls to get settled. So whatever you tried until now, is of no use. You are again stuck with the same problem that was there at the end of the T20 World Cup 2022. 

BCCI should select players based on their roles i.e. a particular batting position or the team requirements needs rather than fitting a big name player in an unusual position and restructuring the team around him. Sometimes, you need to take a harsh call and ignore statistics. Because a player playing for a franchise might have a different role than what is needed in the national side.

No Rinku Singh

BCCI has made the biggest selection blunder by not picking Rinku Singh. For a guy who was a pioneer of brutal hitting in this setup and a solely designated finisher, he has been treated unfairly by BCCI. Rinku has an average of 89 with an astonishing strike rate of 176.23. There is no one better than him in that position currently apart from him. He has got a very calm head and has always delivered for the team with quick fire cameos. With no worthy replacement in the 15, there is no way that Rinku is dropped from the side. This is a big or even bigger mistake than picking Vijay Shankar over Rayudu. So, the performances until now were casually ignored by the selectors. 

Muddled Approach 

The selectors have picked Ravindra Jadeja as well as Axar Patel in the squad. There is no way that both of them would play together even if it is a rank turner. As they offer almost similar skill sets, it is very unlikely for both of them to feature in the playing XI. Maybe BCCI is still unsure about who is their main spin bowling all-rounder in the side and have thus picked both. Jadeja is almost a certainty in the side. Axar Patel should have been in the backups and someone like Rinku Singh in the main squad.  

Not reading conditions well?

The selectors have been guilty of not reading the conditions well in the past in big tournaments. The ICC has always prepared batting friendly tracks during the ICC events. The management was unprepared for flat tracks during the 2016 T20 World Cup and were taken aback by the mighty West Indies side. Even in the 2021 World Cup, they went in with a spin heavy squad where actually it turned out to be a batting friendly World Cup. Even now, India has picked 4 spinners in the side out of which only 2 will play. They could have added an extra seamer in case any of the lead pacers are out of form. 

Only time will tell if BCCI has made a blunder or pulled out a masterstroke. But it seems that the BCCI still are yet to move on from their rigid approach of selecting players.

Stay updated with all the cricketing action, follow Cricadium on WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Telegram, and Instagram