Despite chops and changes, India lay strong foundation for future

CHENNAI: Sunday evening at the ACA VDCA Stadium in Visakhapatnam marked the end of a journey, an eventful one.It spanned 29 days, four countries, and 20 stadia. It saw bat meet ball 7,789 times. It witnessed men mark their run-ups 7,634 times. Seven thousand, four hundred and twelve runs were amassed, festooned with 19 centuries and a double ton. Men from eight oppositions were made to walk back to the pavilion 198 times. Twenty one of those days culminated in unbridled joy; sorrow made its presence felt at the end of seven.

This, in a nutshell, is what every drop of sweat shed by the Men in Blue’s ODI contingent this year has borne.That the clinching of third ODI against Sri Lanka gave India their eight successive series win is enough in itself to convey a tale of success. But, juxtapose this with the fact that a chrysalis of a new, young team core has been taking shape during the same period, and 2017 assumes more significance for what lies in store for Virat Kohli & Co.

“We’ve had a splendid year. Youngsters have made their opportunities count,” remarked former India coach Anshuman Gaekwad. “It’s not just one or two who are doing all the grunt work. Everyone’s playing their part.”They have, indeed. The Indian juggernaut has rolled on since the Champions Trophy despite the absence of Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin (the two haven’t been in an ODI since West Indies). That Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal and Axar Patel have accounted for more than a fourth of the nation’s scalps (53) this year — that too while featuring in matches starting from the tour of Sri Lanka — is evidence enough.

Their faster brethren has a similar tale to narrate. In the absence of Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah have been India’s pace bulwark.“Wristspinners are a rare commodity, and India have found two who have been delivering consistently,” observed Gaekwad. “India are spoilt for options even more in terms of pace. Jasprit and Bhuvneshwar are guys who think on their feet, and have the variations for executing those thoughts.”

This winnowing of talent — with an eye on the 2019 World Cup of course, as it has oft been stressed upon — and heartwarming statistics apart, there is a particular intangible that has percolated into the team and bettered it in many a way: fitness. “Virat leads from the front in that, since he’s a fitness freak. The YoYo test has become a buzzword this year, and the team has reaped dividends, especially in fielding,” added Gaekwad.

But, what’s a story without a flipside? For the Indian team, this constant experimentation is still to alleviate one niggle: the middle-order.“That’s one piece of the puzzle that’s yet to fall into place. But, longer runs need to be given to players for that. The World Cup is two years away. So, there’s time for getting the right players in. India’s focus now should be on trying to be champions not just at home, but on foreign shores as well.”     

New Heroes

Hardik Pandya
M 32 | R 602 | W 35
Given the dearth of pace-bowling all-rounders in the country, his rise has perhaps been the biggest talking point of the year. Has increased his pace and handled new-ball duties, and can hit sixes from the word go. But needs to become consistent.
Kuldeep Yadav
M 14 | W 22 | AVG 24.77
Like most wrist spinners, has the tendency to leak runs, but as he showed in the 3rd ODI, and earlier this year in Sri Lanka, can take wickets at all stages of the game.
Yuzvendra Chahal
M 17 | W 27 | AVG 25.07
Knows all the tricks in the trade, thanks to his IPL stint with Royal Challengers Bangalore. Has become a regular in the side after impressing in the limited-over series in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Has the knack of taking wickets without conceding much.

rahul.ravi@newindianexpress.com