For all practical purposes, India was knocked out of the T20 World Cup in the league stage on October 24, 2021, after being thrashed by Pakistan by ten wickets. This year’s Indian cricket team exited the T20 World Cup after losing to England by ten wickets on November 10, 2022. Although the team did well to reach the semi-finals, given the problems weighing them down, their insipid performance against England has left many wondering what they accomplished in the 12 months between the two ten-wicket defeats.
Virat Kohli step down after Indian Cricket fails to qualify for the semi-finals of the 2021 T20 World Cup, and Rohit Sharma appoints in his place. After leading Mumbai Indians to five IPL titles. Among the most successful IPL captains and white-ball behemoths in the world, Rahul Dravid is appointed as head coach for the next T20 World Cup in Australia, having achieved success with the Indian Under-19 team in 2018 and various Indian cricket teams since. India play a dated brand of T20 cricket in the UAE last year, and the head of the National Cricket Academy was hoping to revamp the template with a new approach.
THE OPENERS’ STRUGGLES
Rahul and Rohit have had issues as a pairing. Rohit has played some aggressive cameos all year to amplify the team’s mantra about playing more attacking cricket after struggling in 2021. Even though Rohit contributed to some good Power Play scores throughout the season, an improved strike rate could not entirely disguise his inability to score sizeable innings. As a result of Rohit’s failure at this T20 World Cup. Indian cricket team scored 116 runs in six innings at an average of 19.33 and strike rate of 106.42. However, when you take a closer look at the first six overs, it appears that the team shot themselves in the foot.
DEPENDENCY ON KOHLI AND SKY
Virat, Suryakumar, and Hardik Pandya were under more pressure as a result of this approach. Considering India’s bowling woes during the Asia Cup and Australia’s afterward. It is in expecting that they will need to step up their batting. But to see just two players (Kohli and Surya, who scored the most runs in the tournament) and Pandya do the heavy lifting. It left one wondering how this team benefited from its poor selection. And, rigid thinking in regard to opening up.
India failed to reach the final due to Rohit’s lack of runs and Rahul’s conservative approach. Once again, Rohit, Rahul, and Kohli do not belong in this 11 and it before also communicate. Despite the fact that his strike rate is questioned at times. Kohli ended the World Cup with 296 runs while striking at 136.40. Whether he opens or continue as India’s anchor is up to him.
MISGUIDED FAITH IN DK
The role Karthik plays in this T20I setup becomes apparent. In the history of Indian white-ball cricket, there has never been a more precise or outlined selection. This means that Karthik has never been picked – or recalled, in this case – with such a specific role. Karthik, 36, was recalled to India’s squad at the World Cup. After a superb run for perennial playoff chokers Royal Challengers Bangalore in this year’s IPL.
The Indian cricket team played almost every T20I match he played over six months. And, he was trained for a very explicit role: to hit balls into the stands with only a few overs to go. Team management backed Karthik unanimously in this high-risk role, where finishers stand to fail more than succeed.
A WEAK MIDDLE ORDER
Since Karthik was India’s finisher all along, they failed to identify other middle-order options. With Rohit, Rahul, Kohli, and Suryakumar at the top, no one could bat higher than five. When they preferred top four reunite. Deepak Hooda dropped from the top four to five, or six. And, seven due to a poor IPL season. A chance to give to Pant, but he did not take advantage of it.
AND WHAT ABOUT THE BOWLING?
There was a big blow when Bumrah wasn’t there. Even so, India’s bowlers contributed to the team’s success in the final four. South Africa and Pakistan, the two teams with the best pace attacks. And, had better Powerplay numbers than India during the Super 12. Bhuvneshwar Kumar might not be quick enough for Australian conditions. But, he ended the World Cup with an economy rate of 6.16 despite his natural bowling style. During the World Cup, Shami took six wickets while conceding runs at 7.15 per over in place of Bumrah. With 10 wickets, Arshdeep was India’s leading wicket-taker in 2022. The next best bowler was Pandya with eight wickets and an economy of 8.11.
