Rohit Sharma's Tactics Foiled by Will Young's Counter-Strategy

Rohit Sharma’s Tactics Foiled by Will Young’s Counter-Strategy

Rohit Sharma’s captaincy has come under scrutiny following India’s 3-0 Test series defeat to New Zealand. The loss has raised questions about his tactical acumen, particularly in the face of pressure to perform in the upcoming series against Australia.

New Zealand star Will Young has shed light on how he successfully countered Rohit’s tactics during the recent Test series. Young revealed that he and his teammates had learned to master their skills on spin-friendly surfaces during their 2021 tour of India.

In the 2023 series, Rohit and Ravindra Jadeja attempted to put pressure on Young by blocking the mid-off region. However, Young devised a counter-strategy, targeting full deliveries and hitting them over the top straight.

“I just felt that if the ball was full enough, I could try to reach it and smother the spin and get it over the top straight,” Young explained. “And I had a chat to Daryl Mitchell about it in between overs and he said, ‘Yeah, mate, just back yourself.'”

Young’s success in countering Rohit’s tactics forced the Indian captain to change his strategy. The New Zealand batter’s adaptability and ability to exploit the opposition’s weaknesses highlight the importance of tactical flexibility in modern cricket.

As India prepares for the Australia series, Rohit will need to find ways to improve his team’s performance and silence the critics. The upcoming tour will be a crucial test of his leadership and tactical acumen.

Calls for Retirement Premature After India's Series Loss, Says Dinesh Karthik

Calls for Retirement Premature After India’s Series Loss, Says Dinesh Karthik

India’s recent humiliating 3-0 whitewash against New Zealand at home has sparked a firestorm of criticism, with fans demanding the retirement of veteran players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Ravindra Jadeja. The team’s dismal performance with both bat and ball has put the seniors under intense scrutiny.

However, former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik has urged fans to exercise patience and not rush to judgment after just one series loss. “What is the hurry boss? One bad series and already calling for the heads. I don’t think so,” Karthik said on Cricbuzz.

Karthik believes that the calls for retirement are premature and that the players deserve a longer leash. “I think, if they don’t do well in the next 10 Test matches, then we will come back to this question and then it becomes a fair question, considering its going to be another domestic season. For the moment, I don’t think we need to group anyone anywhere,” he added.

Karthik acknowledged that India’s performance against New Zealand was subpar in all departments. “A bit of everything. Our bowling was not up to the mark. Our spinners, especially the experienced ones, didn’t gave a great series. Batting, without a doubt, we lack in ability to play spin,” he said.

The Indian batters have struggled to cope with spin bowling in recent times, a weakness that was ruthlessly exploited by the New Zealanders. “The defence game overall around the world has definitely decreased because of the white-ball formats that goes without saying but the Indian players have struggled to cope against spin,” Karthik observed.

India’s next assignment is the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia Down Under, starting on November 22 in Perth. The series will be a stern test for the Indian team, and the performance of the senior players will be under the microscope once again.

India's Test Woes Continue with Embarrassing Whitewash at Home

India’s Test Woes Continue with Embarrassing Whitewash at Home

India’s humiliating 3-0 Test series whitewash at home against New Zealand has raised serious concerns about the team’s preparation and approach. This is the first time India has suffered a clean sweep in a Test series of three or more matches on home soil.

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has slammed the team for its dismal performance, particularly the batters’ inability to counter the New Zealand spinners. Gavaskar believes that the Indian team was not adequately prepared for the series and cited Sachin Tendulkar’s meticulous preparation for an important series in 1998 as an example.

In 1998, India was set to face Australia in a home Test series. Gavaskar revealed how Tendulkar prepared himself during warm-up games for Mumbai against Australia to counter Shane Warne during the Test matches.

“That’s the reason why Sachin Tendulkar was Sachin Tendulkar. He was so fiercely proud of what he could do and what he wanted to do for the team,” Gavaskar said. “He asked Laxman Sivaramakrishnan to come and go around the wicket, create a rough around that area so that he could practice that slog sweep and the inside out shot against Shane Warne.”

Gavaskar emphasized the importance of such preparation, stating that it is essential for players to be ready for the challenges they will face in international cricket. He believes that the Indian team’s lack of preparation contributed to their poor performance against New Zealand.

“So, I think that is the kind of preparation that everybody needs to do. If you don’t do it then with the gaps that are there will always be that little body speed and back speed situation, which takes a long time to get back,” Gavaskar said.

The Indian team’s performance in the Test series against New Zealand has raised questions about their ability to compete at the highest level. The team’s batters have struggled against spin bowling, and their bowlers have been unable to take wickets consistently.

The Indian team will need to address these issues if they want to regain their status as one of the top Test teams in the world. They will have a chance to do so in their upcoming Test series against Australia, which begins on February 9.

New Zealand Skipper Latham Praises India's Quality Despite Historic Sweep

New Zealand Skipper Latham Praises India’s Quality Despite Historic Sweep

New Zealand’s historic 3-0 Test series sweep against India has been met with graciousness from the Indian team, with skipper Tom Latham acknowledging the quality of Rohit Sharma’s side and their ability to bounce back.

Latham, who led the Kiwis to become the first visiting team to whitewash India in a three-match home series, praised the Indian team’s resilience and quality. “Indian cricket in general is really special. We’ve played against them a lot. The guys play with them at the IPL. They were certainly gracious in defeat and they’re still a quality side,” Latham said.

The series victory was particularly sweet for New Zealand, who had suffered a 0-2 defeat against Sri Lanka before landing in India. “When we were in Sri Lanka a few weeks, where things didn’t necessarily go our way, so, I think it makes these times extra special when you’re able to achieve something that hasn’t been achieved before,” Latham said.

Latham also highlighted the challenge that awaits New Zealand in their upcoming three-match series against England, who have adopted an aggressive “Bazball” approach to Test cricket. “I think it’s an exciting one. I guess you look at the Test matches in the past against England, whether it be home or away, they’ve always tended to be reasonably exciting. So, I’m sure this series will be no different,” Latham said.

“They’ve got an attacking brand that they like to play and I’m sure it will be no different in terms of how they like to approach it. So, yeah, we’re looking forward to it. Yeah, it’ll be a great challenge,” he added.

New Zealand's Historic 3-0 Test Series Victory in India

New Zealand’s Historic 3-0 Test Series Victory in India

New Zealand’s historic 3-0 Test series victory over India on Indian soil has been hailed as a testament to the Black Caps’ resilience and determination. Skipper Tom Latham, while acknowledging India’s formidable stature in world cricket, expressed his admiration for the team’s unwavering spirit despite the defeat.

The Black Caps’ dominant whitewash, secured with wins in Bengaluru, Pune, and Mumbai, marked a significant milestone for visiting teams in India. Latham attributed the victory to his team’s unwavering belief and ability to adapt to challenging conditions.

“We knew it was going to be a tough challenge, but we believed in ourselves and our abilities,” Latham said. “We played to our strengths and adapted to the conditions, which was key to our success.”

Despite the historic feat, Latham emphasized that India remained a formidable force in world cricket. “Indian cricket is special, and the team is still a quality side,” he said. “They have a lot of experience and talent, and I’m sure they’ll bounce back.”

The victory was particularly sweet for New Zealand, coming on the heels of a disappointing 0-2 Test series defeat against Sri Lanka. Latham acknowledged the contrasting fortunes, highlighting the importance of seizing opportunities.

“When we were in Sri Lanka, things didn’t go our way,” Latham said. “But we learned from that experience and came back stronger. It makes this victory even more special, knowing that we’ve overcome adversity.”

Latham’s comments reflect the mutual respect between the two cricketing nations. Despite the rivalry on the field, there is a deep appreciation for each other’s skills and achievements.

Rohit Sharma's Test Struggles Continue, Manjrekar Points Out 'Real Problem'

Rohit Sharma’s Test Struggles Continue, Manjrekar Points Out ‘Real Problem’

Rohit Sharma’s struggles in Test cricket have continued, with the Indian skipper failing to impress in the recent 0-3 series defeat against New Zealand. Sharma’s poor form has raised concerns, with former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar identifying a “real problem” in his batting technique.

Manjrekar believes that Sharma is attempting to clear the boundary with brute force rather than making proper connections. “He is missing a few of his big hits,” Manjrekar said. “He is mis-hitting a lot of his attacking shots and he is not trusting his defense enough.”

Sharma’s statistics in the Test series against New Zealand were disappointing, with the opener scoring just 91 runs at a strike rate of 68.42. His dismissal in the second innings, where he attempted to hit a boundary rather than make a solid connection, highlighted his technical issues.

The series loss against New Zealand marked a low point for Sharma’s captaincy, as he became the first Indian captain to concede a 3-0 Test series defeat on home soil. New Zealand’s victory was historic, as they became the first team to win a long format series by 0-3 in India.

Despite leading Team India to 12 victories in 21 Test matches, Sharma’s recent performances have raised questions about his suitability as captain. His inability to score runs consistently in red-ball cricket has been a major concern, and Manjrekar’s analysis suggests that technical flaws may be contributing to his struggles.

If Sharma is to regain his form and lead India to success in Test cricket, he will need to address the issues identified by Manjrekar. He must rediscover his defensive technique and focus on making solid connections rather than attempting to hit every ball for a boundary.

India's Series Loss to New Zealand a 'Wake-Up Call' Ahead of Australia Tour

India’s Series Loss to New Zealand a ‘Wake-Up Call’ Ahead of Australia Tour

India’s recent series loss to New Zealand has served as a wake-up call for the team, according to 1983 World Cup winner Sandeep Patil. Patil urged the team to leave the past behind and focus on the upcoming Australia tour, where they will face unique challenges.

Patil emphasized the importance of learning from mistakes and adapting to the conditions in Australia, where the quality of the opposition and the nature of the pitches present significant hurdles. He believes that India’s talented and resilient squad has the potential to bounce back from setbacks and achieve success in challenging conditions.

“They have to play against Australia in Australia, they will have to forget what happened there last time. They will also have to forget what happened in this series (against New Zealand) and look forward,” Patil said.

Patil drew parallels to India’s historic World Cup victory in 1983, where the team overcame setbacks and played with a positive mindset. He believes that the current team can emulate that spirit and deliver a strong performance in Australia.

“We lost all practice games before winning the World Cup, so they should remember… you have to think positive and play positively only then you will get a positive result,” he said.

Patil acknowledged that the series loss to New Zealand was a wake-up call, but expressed confidence in India’s ability to recover strongly. He pointed to the team’s consistent pattern of resurgence after setbacks.

“After every defeat, you have always seen the Indian team bouncing back. Not because I am an Indian and we all are Indians, but they will bounce back because they are a very good side,” he stated.

Regarding the Perth pitch, Patil noted its evolution from its previous characteristics, whilst highlighting the generally favourable batting conditions in Australian grounds. He attributed the series loss against New Zealand to underwhelming batting performances rather than outright failure.

“We lost the series (against New Zealand) because the batting didn’t do well. I will not use the word ‘failed’ because it is negative. We just did not do well in the batting department.”

Patil expressed confidence that the team would have analyzed their performance and made necessary adjustments. He believes that India has the potential to overcome recent setbacks and achieve success in Australia.

Virat Kohli Drops to 22nd in ICC Test Rankings After Poor New Zealand Series

Virat Kohli Drops to 22nd in ICC Test Rankings After Poor New Zealand Series

Virat Kohli’s recent Test series against New Zealand has been a disappointing one, with the former Indian captain scoring just 44 runs in five innings. This has resulted in a significant drop in his ICC Test ranking, with Kohli now sitting at 22nd, his lowest position in over a decade.

Kohli’s struggles have been evident throughout the series, with the 34-year-old failing to convert starts into substantial scores. In the first Test in Kanpur, he was dismissed for 0 and 1, while in the second Test in Mumbai, he managed only 4 and 1.

Kohli’s poor form has coincided with a resurgence from Rishabh Pant, who has moved up to sixth in the ICC Test batting rankings after a strong performance in the Mumbai Test. Pant scored half-centuries in both innings, helping India to avoid a whitewash.

Other Indian batters to make gains in the rankings include Shubman Gill, who moved up four places to 16th, and Yashasvi Jaiswal, who dropped a rung to fourth.

In the bowling rankings, Ravindra Jadeja climbed two spots to sixth after taking 10 wickets against New Zealand. Jasprit Bumrah remains India’s top-ranked bowler, sitting at fourth, while Ravichandran Ashwin is fifth.

New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell also made a significant jump in the rankings, moving up eight places to seventh after scoring 82 in the first innings of the Mumbai Test.

India's Clean Sweep Debacle Sparks Pitch and Batting Concerns

India’s Clean Sweep Debacle Sparks Pitch and Batting Concerns

India’s humiliating clean sweep at home against New Zealand has sparked a heated debate over the quality of pitches and the form of the team’s star batters. The historic loss has raised questions about the team’s preparation for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.

After dominating the Kiwis in the first Test, India suffered a shocking collapse in the second and third Tests. The visitors’ spinners, led by Ajaz Patel, exploited the turning tracks to devastating effect, dismissing India for 121 in the third Test.

Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has defended the team’s batters, arguing that the pitches were designed to assist spinners and that any bowler could have achieved similar results. He pointed out that previous generations of batters never played on such challenging surfaces.

However, fans and experts have criticized the Indian batters for their poor technique and lack of application against spin. They argue that the team’s reliance on individual brilliance has cost them dearly.

Captain Rohit Sharma has taken full responsibility for the team’s debacle, acknowledging that they made several mistakes and were outplayed by New Zealand. He has vowed to address the team’s shortcomings before the Australia tour.

The clean sweep has raised concerns about India’s chances in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The team will need to find a way to counter Australia’s formidable pace attack and adapt to the bouncy pitches Down Under.

The loss has also highlighted the need for India to develop a more balanced batting lineup. While Rishabh Pant has been a consistent performer, the team needs other batters to step up and contribute.

As India prepares for the Australia tour, the team will be under immense pressure to bounce back from this disappointing result. They will need to find a way to improve their batting, bowling, and fielding if they want to challenge the world’s top-ranked Test team.

India's Aging Stalwarts Face Decline as Team Struggles

India’s Aging Stalwarts Face Decline as Team Struggles

India’s recent Test series loss to New Zealand has exposed a harsh reality: the team’s aging stalwarts, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and R. Ashwin, are on the decline. While they remain exceptional performers, their current form suggests they may no longer be indispensable in the national team.

The selectors, reluctant to acknowledge the inevitable, have been slow to make the necessary changes. As a result, India’s batting has suffered, with the team collapsing repeatedly in the series. The lack of red-ball practice due to the absence of the Ranji Trophy has further exacerbated the situation.

Rohit Sharma, the captain, has admitted his struggles and is considering stepping down from the role. Jasprit Bumrah, the team’s premier fast bowler, has been rested for the upcoming Test in Australia, raising concerns about India’s bowling depth.

The series loss has also highlighted the arrogance and complacency that has plagued the Indian team. Despite losing two Tests, they continued to display a sense of entitlement, resting their best bowler and preparing inadequately for the series.

New Zealand, on the other hand, approached the series with a different mindset. They were better prepared, more humble, and played with a collective spirit. Their victory is a testament to the importance of teamwork and a strong work ethic.

India’s hopes of qualifying for the World Test Championship final now rest on a series win against Australia. However, the odds are stacked against them. The team will need to perform at their best and hope for favorable results from other matches.

The series loss to New Zealand has been a wake-up call for Indian cricket. It has exposed the need for introspection, a change in mindset, and a willingness to embrace the inevitable decline of its aging stars. Only then can India regain its former glory and become a force to be reckoned with in world cricket.

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