After the ignominious defeat of 8 terrains, the Indian captain virat Kohli, who before the Test had said that it was the representation of the ‘new India’, assured that the collapse of the Adelaide catastrophe “is nothing alarming.” He went on to add: “We can sit down really well and make a mountain out of a grain of sand.”
However, while this collapse of Adelaide may be extremely strange, it does not mean that it was unique. In the recent past, especially in the SENA countries (South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia), India’s famous batting lineup has collapsed many times. Even at the Adelaide Test, India was sailing 188/3 in the first innings before losing seven wickets for 56 runs and 244 pitches.
Against New Zealand in February-March this year, India collapsed four times. The team achieved 165 and 191 in the first test in Wellington and then 242 and 124 in the second test in Christchurch.
These kinds of collapses may not be “alarming” enough for the Indian captain, but it has sounded the alarm bells in the cricket fraternity.
Recently retired from CricketParthiv Patel, a former goalie and hitter, now donning an expert hat, said: “This kind of collapse… going all-in for 36 is not excusable. Even I don’t know how I could analyze this or talk about it.
“We can say that this player cast sensationally or performed a magnificent spell. Even then, how would you justify a total of 36? ”
“Players like Virat Kohli, Hanuma Vihari, Ajinkya rahane They have all played on the biggest stage. So, in your life, you could never explain how you came out for 36. No matter how tough the opposition is, you wouldn’t have an explanation for this, “he added.
Virat said the team’s batting lineup does not “feel vulnerable to going cheap and vulnerable to meltdowns.” But collapses have occurred regularly on each tour of the SENA countries. Whether it’s the 2017-18 Test Series in South Africa, the 2018 Test Series in England, the Test Series in New Zealand earlier this year, or the Perth Test during Australia’s 2018 Test Tour, the batting collapses Indians have not only been “5-6 times in a period of 8 or 9 years,” as Virat pointed out at his press conference in Adelaide. There have been more.
“This collapse occurred on a bright, sunny Adelaide morning and not at twilight as many feared. Pink or red ball, trial match hitting is all about correct technique and temperament. Limited matches or limited time on the nets cannot prepare you for a test, ”suggested former India hitter Mohammad Kaif.
“This is not a unique collapse. Clearly India needs to improve their defensive hitting skills, ”hinted Sanjay Manjrekar.
Proper technique, defensive hitting skills, temperament, etc. They are known attributes for being successful on the proving ground, whether played in SENA countries or elsewhere. But the moot question is when a slippage is occurring, how can players approach it differently and successfully?
“The batsmen have to try to alter the rhythm of the bowlers,” said former Indian bowler Chetan Sharma.
Virat and the support staff have to find better ways to deal with the team’s frequent breakdowns than those that prevail now. The situation is truly alarming.
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