Despite the consolation win at the end, India aren’t close to resolving their issues. But the disappointment of losing to a full-strength Australian line-up and fears over team’s collective depth as an ODI bowling unit, shouldn’t mean we overlook what was India’s biggest gain out of the 2–1 series outcome.
In Sydney and Canberra, Hardik Pandya not only showed an expanded range, but also enhanced pressure handling ability to end debates whether he can make the side as a specialist batsman in one-day cricket. The way he batted, one would think Hardik’s been on multiple tours to Australia and has a deeper understanding of those conditions. But these were his first set of 50-over internationals in the great country.
While the resurrection act at Manuka Oval wasn’t short of quality, it’s the knock at the SCG that ticked all boxes for me. Hardik walked into a hopeless chase, with the opposition well on top, and blazed a magnificent 76-ball 90, an outstanding one-day innings in the face of adversity, against one of the more competent battery of pacemen around. Hardik covered the line swiftly against Hazlewood, he pulled Cummins through mid-wicket, drove Starc past covers and routinely smashed away Zampa. It was inarguably one of the more flawless international knocks in recent times.
The selectors and the management must be overjoyed seeing Hardik bat the way he did. They were vindicated in backing him above a specialist batsman when even the most sought-after cricketing voices were “sceptical” about it. The decision-makers will, however, breathe a greater sigh of relief the day Hardik resumes bowling.
(Pic credit: Reuters)
Despite the added Super League context, losses at this point of the ODI cycle shouldn’t hurt India much, especially with them already qualified as hosts of the 2023 World Cup. But defeats against Australia, which followed a 3–0 whitewash in New Zealand earlier this year, have certainly highlighted a few problems.
On the bowling front, India are currently approaching what should be a long transition against top sides on flat pitches. Bhuvneshwar Kumar is facing fitness issues, which has seen Navdeep Saini, a promising but raw quick, get fast-tracked into the first-choice line-up. Mohammad Shami is an interesting case of a bowler with an impressive ODI record but not one dependable enough for all stages. On that point, redrafting Umesh, Siraj or Khaleel is out of equation. So is thinking of Deepak Chahar. Shardul Thakur’s skillset is more suited for red-ball cricket but not his fitness, so he stays around with a few bright days in-between failures. And no, despite his heartwarming journey, T Natarajan doesn’t have the pace to be your long-term bet in 50-overs cricket. India are fortunate to have Bumrah, a once-in-a-generation quick, but he’s a rare commodity. In the spin department at least, the team is well served with Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav good enough to overcome their recent slump. But Bumrah and Chahal, even on their best days, can collectively bowl just 20 overs. Unless they bowl decisive spells, the depth of the attack will be exposed.
In such a set-up, going in regularly with only five bowlers on placid tracks is a huge risk. Also, in ODIs, given the fact that a No.7 must offer his team some decent batting ability, you’re anyway having to compromise on the bowling skills of one of your options. It’s here, the news that Hardik is gradually building towards 100% fitness and saving his bowling self for crucial matches is a welcome one for India. It’s not that India need Hardik to bowl 10 overs. He can’t be asked to take that much workload anyway post his back surgery. But if he can start delivering at least 5–6 tight overs per game again, India will have more options to fall back on.
None of India’s top 5 batsmen chip in as part-timers , with Kedar Jadhav also no longer selectable. And given Hardik’s astonishing rise as a power-hitter, even when he bowls, he can’t be wasted below No.6. So India need another bankable utility option in the lower middle-order, who not only shoulders the fifth-bowler responsibilities with Hardik but also provide him some help on the batting front. Could Ravindra Jadeja be that guy?
