By Yajurvindra Singh Test cricket is back on the Indian cricket calendar.India will take on New Zealand, the World Test champions at Green Park, Kanpur.It is a beautiful match to see.It is a true game of cricket when the outfield is lush green on a sunny day in north India.
The Green Park ground, which was the scene of India’s first victory against Australia, has been a haven for batters on many other occasions.New Zealand’s irony would be the fact that they still have a five-year-old Test in Kanpur, where India beat them.
They were defeated by Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin’s excellent bowling.Axar Patel and the duo are likely to be difficult for New Zealand.
The wicket, once a great surface to bat on, is now slow and uneven with a little spin.It could prove to be a nightmare for New Zealand if they try to bat last.
Both India and New Zealand are very important to the Test series.This is the beginning of a new cycle of collecting points to qualify for the second Test World Championship.It is therefore surprising that some of the most important Indian players have decided to withdraw from the Test match due to personal reasons.
India’s first Test match in England was in 1932.This was just 90 years ago.There have been only 303 Test players to wear the India cap.
For a cricketer, the ultimate goal was to play Test cricket for one’s country.It was impossible to imagine missing one for any reason.
One can accept the current pandemic situation created by the virus and the limited conditions the players must deal with.The BCCI should ensure that players are consulted before any Test series is finalized.
This match at Kanpur is a good indicator of India’s progress as a nation in developing Test cricketers.Even without the most experienced players, six Indian players were part of the 2016 team that beat New Zealand.
This is a testament to the fact that India has been consistent in their selections and still relies heavily on its older stalwarts.
There have been no significant changes in the batting and spin bowling areas.
Young fast bowlers have emerged, but they have not been able establish themselves due to the older ones.
Rahul Dravid is a new coach and has won all three T20 matches against New Zealand.
This should give him the confidence and boost he needs to move forward with his future plans.This is especially important when India tours South Africa later in the year.
It was a pleasure to see Shreyas, the debutant, do well.One wonders if he will be pursued by KL Rahul and Virat Kohli once they are back.
This is where Indian cricket seems to find itself in a quandary.This was evident in the case of Karun Nair’s triple hundred against England.
He then had to forfeit his spot to Ajinkya Rahane upon his return.Karun was given the opportunity to play for India later, but he could not match his form.
India is home to many talented players.With the current fitness and health facilities, age is no longer a concern.
Also, the financial status of cricketers has seen a well-deserved rise.Cricket has become a profession that can be continued into one’s late thirties.
This trend is best illustrated by MS Dhoni.The Chennai Super Kings signed him for three more years.
This is why the selection of Indian teams is so difficult.Retirement is a no-no at both the International and Domestic levels.
This means that the normal process of players retiring to give way to the next player is not happening.
This is causing a flood of Indian cricketers, who have no other profession but to keep playing.
The BCCI is able to help.They must have certifications and programmes for other activities, not only cricket.Education of cricketers in finance, marketing, and technology.This will give cricketers options for the latter half of their lives.
It is the excitement of cricket that makes it so romantic.A team must win 20 Test matches to get 20 wickets.
It is difficult for players to focus on the 90 overs per day and to sustain themselves.The bowlers look tired by the end of play, as it is not easy to take wickets in the limited-overs version of the game.
Bowlers are now non-resourceful because they don’t have the opportunity to play Test cricket.They don’t seem to have a plan, as the limited-overs game doesn’t require them to.Test cricket is about finding a weakness in a batter’s arsenal and focusing on it until his death.A bowler must have patience and consistency to do this.
Fortunately, Test cricket, which is a royal and beautiful game, still seems to radiate purity.
Cricket is so much fun!
(Yajurvindra Sing is an ex-India cricketer.
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