Let us not panic, please!
View(s):Thursday’s World Cup debacle against India, revived memories of the humiliation of the Asia Cup final.
The anger of fans, their frustrations and resentments vented on social media, were therefore all perfectly understandable as are the increasingly loud cries for change and accountability.
However when emotions are given time to subside let us sit back and review objectively the circumstances that led to both events.
Asia Cup Final
In the Asia Cup final, there was no doubt in anyone’s mind that the decision to bat first, in overcast conditions and a helpful pitch as Ravi Shashtri’s pre-match report cautioned, was a grave error of judgment.
While those conditions were exploited to the hilt by Mohamed Siraj in particular, given our own fast bowling talents, one could not be faulted for saying that the roles may well have been reversed if India had batted first.
One only has to recall Rohit Sharma’s dismissal by Dilshan Madushanka in Thursday’s encounter in good batting conditions to appreciate the real potential of our pacemen.
World Cup
The circumstances leading to the World Cup debacle on Thursday was no different. The decision to field first perhaps failed to recognise the dew factor for the side batting second. In fact the Indian captain was certain that he would have batted first if the coin fell his way.
The way the ball moved both in the air, nipped and bounced off the pitch from the very first delivery when we batted, showed the impact that dew had on a sun scorched pitch, and knowledgeable commentators attributed three of our early dismissals to ‘unplayable deliveries’.
I would cite Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne and Kusal Mendis in that category. Madushanka’s heroic efforts in unhelpful conditions, earlier in the game, and his dismissal of the very accomplished Rohit Sharma, who left the arena looking shell shocked, gave us a glimpse of what he, Kasun Rajitha and Dushmantha Chameera may have delivered in those conditions.
In fact if two sharp chances, one each from Shubnam Gill and Virat Kohli had been taken, India may well have been three down before they reached 10 and that too when conditions favoured batting. So let’s not be too harsh on the team. It’s a young nucleus and none can doubt their potential.
After a disappointing World Cup of 2019, India took a step back to focus and build on a balanced, cohesive and strong combination for 2023. They are reaping the benefits of that professional planning now. We should take a leaf out of their book and do likewise with World Cup 2027 in mind.
The talent is there and what’s more, it is also still very young. Let’s find the professionals to harness and build on it.
There is no cause for panic!
S. Skandakumar
(Former Hon. Secretary of Sri Lanka Cricket)