A Collective Failure and the Absence of "Unglamorous" Batters

A Collective Failure

Former cricketer Atul Wassan believes India's current predicament in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy stems from a "collective failure," particularly the inability of star players to score runs. He feels the team lacks "unglamorous" batters like Cheteshwar Pujara, who could anchor the innings with his defensive prowess.

India's batting woes were evident in the Boxing Day Test at the MCG, where they fell to a humbling defeat. Despite moments of brilliance from Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, and Jasprit Bumrah, the top-order batsmen failed to deliver. Chasing a 340-run target on the final day proved too much, and India succumbed to an 184-run loss.

Wassan emphasizes that the batting order needs a shake-up. He suggests moving Virat Kohli down the order and promoting Nitish Kumar Reddy. He also criticizes the casual approach of the star players, who have failed to live up to expectations.

The absence of Pujara's "dirty batting" is another factor contributing to India's struggles. Pujara's ability to bat for extended periods and grind out runs was crucial in India's previous BGT victories in Australia. Wassan believes the current team lacks such "unglamorous" batters and relies too heavily on "glamorous" stroke-makers.

Pujara's impressive record in Australia, with 993 runs at an average of 47.28, including three centuries, highlights his value. His ability to occupy the crease and frustrate the bowlers is something the current Indian team desperately needs.

Wassan's analysis points to a deeper issue within the Indian batting line-up. The over-reliance on star players and the lack of gritty, determined batsmen like Pujara are hindering their progress in the series. Unless they address these concerns, India's chances of winning the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and securing a place in the WTC final remain slim.