The successful run of the Indian cricket team, one hopes and prays, continues in similar fashion after Diwali, the festival of light. The most celebrated occasion of the Hindu calendar brings with it wealth and prosperity, the very ingredients needed to bless the Indian team to reach the top of the cricket world in all formats of the game. 

India start their campaign in the New Year with the first game of the three-match ODI series against New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on October 22. The unseasonal rains that Mumbai as well as Pune, venue for the second ODI, have received could play an important part in the final preparation of the pitch. The dry placid batting strips that one usually encounters at these venues would possibly change, as rains would have made the pitch soft and moist underneath. This could be beneficial to New Zealand pace bowlers Tim Southee and Trent Boult, both of whom have enough experience to exploit such conditions. The Black Caps will depend a lot on these two to ensure that the powerful Indian batting line-up doesn’t pile up huge totals and then get the wrist spinners into play. Both Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal could be a handful once they have enough runs behind them to experiment with their skills. New Zealand toured India just a year back. The one-day series was a very hard- fought encounter with India winning the decider to clinch the rubber 3-2. The present Indian side comprises more or less the same set of players that played in that series, the only major change being leg spinner Yuzvendra Chahal in place of Amit Mishra. The Kiwis have always been a very competitive outfit. Most of their top players are now part of the IPL. The side selected for the tour seems to be well thought out, with a few established senior players blended together with some young talented cricketers. One of their exciting youngsters is Matt Henry, a genuine all-rounder who can bowl at a fiery pace. The Indian team will have to play consistently well to beat the visitors. This New Zealand side has a fair knowledge of Indian conditions due to its IPL experience and last year’s tour. This should give them enough confidence to ensure that they are not over awed by the in-form Indian team.

India would most probably win the series, as they look unbeatable at home. The Men in Blue face a unique problem in deciding the playing eleven. Each member of the squad has performed well whenever given the opportunity. Apart from the present lot, there are some exciting talents waiting anxiously on the sidelines as well, which is a very healthy sign compared to most other sides in world cricket. The most puzzling issue, however, is the omission of two of their leading spinners in Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. One could initially agree with the explanation that they needed rest after bowling India to many a success. But that was many moons ago. They are both playing in the Ranji Trophy now. To omit two match winners from the present squad is a thought to ponder over. India should always field their best playing eleven. The winning streak needs to be maintained to give them confidence and an aura of being the best. Cricket is played as much mentally as physically and the state of the mind is very important to achieve success. Agreed that the Indian team needs to rotate the players, but the aim should be to win each and every match and not let the acceleration go once it is in a winning motion.

One could see the Indian team’s intensity and body language diminish in the latter part of the Australia series. This could be attributed to the fact that they had proved that they were a better side and did not have to do anything more. The BCCI needs to structure a performance based incentive, not only for a series won but also for convincing victories. The Indian side at present looks far superior than most other cricket playing nations. Therefore, some motivation may be required to keep them hungry for more.

(The author is a former India cricketer)