The dismal show of Team India in the three-Test series against New Zealand has put the players’ preparations under the scanner. Battling conditions, India had earlier whitewashed Bangladesh in a 2-match Test series and the players were ready to begin the New Zealand series. At the same time, options of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, R Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah participating in the Duleep Trophy were also floated as preparations for Bangladesh and New Zealand series. However, none of the four played in the domestic competition, to the surprise of some analysts.
After the Indian team lost 0-3 to the Kiwis, many ex-cricketers have pointed out that the team’s inability to get enough match practice in between tours is one of the major factors behind the embarrassing defeat. Now, a report has come out stating that all of them had agreed to play in the Duleep Trophy but eventually they backed out.
As per a report in The Indian Express, the selectors had made all the necessary steps for the four to play in the Duleep Trophy, which took place in Bengaluru and Anantapur between September 5 and 22, but they abstained from playing citing ‘lack of interest’.
“They must have had some practice as well, which they missed unfortunately. There is a long gap because I understand that we beat Bangladesh and so, that made it seem that the New Zealand series was going to be a walk in the park,” former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar told the paper on Sunday. “However, New Zealand had a better attack, with players who played in India and in the IPL, knew how to play on Indian pitches,” he further stated.
The report goes on to add that after the withdrawal of Kohli, Rohit, Bumrah, and Ashwin, selectors also removed Ravindra Jadeja from the Duleep Trophy tournament.
Out of the players from India who played in the Test series with New Zealand, Shubman Gill, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant, Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul and Washington Sundar were present for the domestic competition too.
Ravindra Jadeja, for one, did have some effect in the game as he picked up 10 wickets in the Mumbai Test (across the two innings of the match) but the likes of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and R Ashwin did not seem very effective. As for Bumrah, he had very little assistance from the spin friendly surfaces he bowled on.
