After their ODI defeat to seventh-ranked Bangladesh, the pressure on Team India to perform becomes more with each passing day. India is struggling greatly due to issues with team chemistry and a number of player injuries. A squad that had one of its best years ever in 2021 is having a similarly unsuccessful year in 2022 due to problems that have persisted since the Asia Cup. The Indian squad was expected to focus on the 50-over World Cup next year after failing to go beyond the quarterfinals of the T20 World Cup. However, after losing the ODI series against New Zealand and Bangladesh, the team needs a wake-up call before it’s too late.
India’s World Cup-winning all-rounder Madan Lal has harshly criticized the team’s veteran batsmen for their lacklustre performance after a disappointing series defeat in Bangladesh.
Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Shikhar Dhawan were all in India’s Playing XI for both losses, but the team hasn’t shown much promise outside of Rahul’s half-century in the first ODI. Despite Rohit’s valiant attempt while playing with a dislocated thumb, Lal has cast doubt on the team’s overall success over the last three years.
“If you see the record, how many centuries they (seniors) have scored in the last three years? And how many in the last one year? With age-factor, your hand-eye coordination slows down. But they are experienced players and they should have performed. If your top order does not perform you are not going to win,” he told PTI.
While India skipper Rohit has done marginally better with three centuries in the previous three years, Kohli has only managed one, against Afghanistan in the Asia Cup earlier this year. Both of Rahul’s, though, have come in Tests.
The Indian squad has been severely hampered by the decline of its top three players in recent years, who formerly inspired terror in the hearts of their opponents. However, Lal is not dissatisfied with only the batting. He also correctly notes India’s bowling has taken a nosedive without Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami, despite having a plethora of other alternatives.
