With the first two Tests against New Zealand going against India’s favour, things really look shaky for Rohit Sharma and company in the ongoing WTC. Despite being at the top, it can be a tricky run for India, considering the fact that they have one Test against New Zealand left and will be playing five Tests away from home against the mighty Aussies.
With so much at stake, and with six Tests remaining in the cycle, India’s chances in the WTC still remains in the balance but with this series defeat against New Zealand and that too at home, it now makes it a compulsion for Team India to brave the Aussie Down Under. Here are three things that India can do in order to bounce back in the WTC.
#1 Bring back Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara
This idea might sound ludicrous but these two players, Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara have been a duo of terror for the oppositions in Test cricket. Pujara’s resistance and Rahane’s resilience saved India’s middle-order on multiple occasions.
Especially with the caravan moving to Australia, India will need reliable names in the middle-order and with the squad announced, they can still bring about a change if needed since there is still time and obviously if there is an injury. Also, Pujara blasted a 234 against Chattisgarh in the ongoing round of Ranji Trophy while Rahane has a 91 against Rest of India in October itself.
#2 Drop this new ultra-aggressive approach
Gambhir’s approach to create a new form of aggressive India is laudable but it is somewhat not in sync with the players that India has.
Over-aggression is costing India dearly and they need to rethink and rejig their strategy. India’s strength always lies in garnering momentum and from thereon attacking their opposition. But this knack of trying to hit the aggressive chord from ball one is leaving the batters out of their comfort zone and with just six Tests remaining, this is not the time for experimentation.
#3 Promote Shubman Gill and Jaiswal to opening while bringing back VK to number three
Rohit Sharma is definitely someone who can score quick but in Test cricket, in rare scenarios like Kanpur, you would need to score that fast. So a major change in batting needs to be there which can restore Kohli back to number three and drop Rohit to number four in order to bolster the middle order. Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal has been extremely comfortable amongst themselves and India can reap handsome dividends with the two opening the innings.
