Do-or-die time for Gambhir and Rohit?

Tags: India Vs England 1st ODI at Rajkot - Jan 11, 2013, England tour of India 2012-13, Rohit Gurunath Sharma, Gautam Gambhir

Published on: Jan 10, 2013

Scorecard | Commentary | Graphs

England may have lost the two practice games played ahead of the ODIs against India, but that will have little on the five-match one-day series that begins at Rajkot on Friday. Following their disappointing performance at home against Pakistan...

England may have lost the two practice games played ahead of the ODIs against India, but that will have little on the five-match one-day series that begins at Rajkot on Friday. Following their disappointing performance at home against Pakistan, which was preceded by the shock upset against the Englishmen in the Test, India will be the team under extreme pressure to prove themselves. As for England, they have the capability to put the upsets in the warm-up games behind them and start afresh when the real clashes begin. In short, India will have to make the more significantmoves to come up trumps.

The selection of the Indian squad for the first three games of the series has drawn a lot of flak. Nothing much can be done now though. The players who have been lucky to retain their places have got another opportunity to perform. Hopefully, for India’s sake, they won’t disappoint this time. To put it bluntly, we are referring to Gautam Gambhir and Rohit Sharma. If Virender Sehwag was dropped on the basis of lack of runs, going by that criteria, Gambhir and Sharma have no business to be in the side either. Time is running out for Gambhir, and he needs to either perform or perish. Even though Sharma has age on his side, the same applies to him as he has been failing for too often.

There are others in the batting order who also need to pull up their socks. Yuvraj Singh played only one innings of note against Pakistan, and India would be benefited to a great extent if he can get big runs consistently, apart from his obvious contribution with the ball. Meanwhile, Virat Kohli’s dream run has finally come to an end. Although it would be a bit too much to expect, if he can somehow rediscover his golden touch, India’s chances of doing well could increase substantially. Better efforts would also be expected of lower order batsmen like Suresh Raina and Ravindra Jadeja, so that M S Dhoni is not exceedingly burdened.

With some of the big names in the side not performing, it wouldn’t be bad idea to blood in Cheteshwar Pujara, who has been called up to the ODI side for the first time. Pujara has proved his credentials in the five-day format, and if given an opportunity, there is every chance that he can succeed in the shorter version. He has the aptitude as well as the ability to do the same. Further, there is also Ajinkya Rahane in the side. With Sehwag out, Rahane is most likely to open the innings, and if he can do well the opening spot might well become his.

Although the bowling was India’s weak point ahead of the Pakistan series, the same cannot be said now. Bhuvneshwar Kumar has made an exceptional entry into Indian cricket and the other pacer, Shami Ahmed, who played the final match against Pakistan also put in a match-winning effort. All hope is not lost for India, but they wouldn’t succeed until the batting unit picks up the pieces.

--By A Cricket Analyst

Related News