Finding the Right Pitch Strategy
The dust has settled on the competitive Border Gavaskar Trophy between cricketing giants India and Australia. However, the debate around pitch condition still lingers on, waiting to be reignited the next time a test series comes around. As is the case with every international cricket tournament, the pitch becomes the hot topic of discussion – noises surrounding the pitch become the focal point. Given how the BGT series ended, question marks around the overall host team strategy and pitch conditions remains for Indian cricket fans.
As we await the ICC’s verdict and re-evaluation of all the pitches played during the series to determine if they provided a fair balance between bat and ball, two important questions come to mind. Firstly, should the home team have the authority to dictate the playing conditions of the pitch? Secondly, what strategy should India adopt in the future to ensure the ideal test wicket conditions for their team? Here we try to explore these questions and dive deeper into the intriguing world of pitch conundrums in cricket.
Authority to dictate playing conditions by home team?
It’s no secret that cricket fans worldwide have a clear answer to the first question. Ask any cricket enthusiast, and they will tell you that true joy of cricket lies in seeing players rise to the occasion and showcase their abilities on challenging pitches that push them to their limits. Whether it’s the pace and bounce of an Australian wicket or the swing and seam of a New Zealand or English one, cricket fans relish the opportunity to watch their favourite players thrive on these demanding pitches. ICC has long tried to make test cricket more exciting, and the World Test Championship (WTC) has been a successful initiative that has brought new life to test matches. The WTC has made every game count, creating a highly competitive atmosphere where teams are determined not to make it easy for their opponents. With spin bowling being a significant strength of Indian cricket, why not challenge visiting teams with spin-friendly tracks? However, can we truly consider it a fair competition between two teams if the game heavily favours one aspect over the other? Maintaining a balance between batting and bowling is crucial to uphold the integrity of the sport and keep the fans engaged. For instance, consider the test matches held in Pakistan, where the conditions have overwhelmingly favoured batsmen, leading to a string of dull draws instead of thrilling outcomes. Who wouldn’t want to sit through hours and hours of a cricket match where nothing exciting happens and the outcome is already predetermined by the favourable conditions for the batsmen?
To ensure fairness is maintained, the International Cricket Council (ICC) could potentially consider taking the toss out of the hands of the home team and giving the visiting team the chance to choose what they want to do first. This would eliminate any potential advantage that the home team might have in terms of preparing the pitch to their advantage. It would also provide a fair chance to both teams to make the decision based on their own analysis of the pitch conditions. As the cricketing world looks ahead to future matches, it’s important to continue the conversation and strive towards creating pitches that are both fair and challenging for all teams involved.
Although it may appear implausible on paper, there is another potential way that BCCI or any other test-playing nation can consider, particularly due to the abundance of talent in each country. This strategy involves providing opportunities to players who excel in specific conditions and building teams around them to maximize their potential. With the players having so much exposure to global cricket these days, this idea is not impossible to achieve. For instance, there could be numerous Indian batters who feel comfortable playing against pace and bounce and can further develop their skills in those conditions. Similarly, Australia may have cricketers who can dominate in sub-continental pitches. In this regard, dynamic pitches, as in tennis, can add a lot of flavour to the game.
What should be Indian Cricket Team’s strategy?
While the first point is straightforward, the second is more nuanced and subject to debate. India’s dominance in Test cricket on their home turf is impressive, with the team having lost their last home test series against England in 2012/13. The result of BGT series, with India winning 2-1 and qualifying for WTC final, led to reduced inclination among Indian cricket fans to scrutinize the team’s approach. However, if it weren’t for Axar Patel’s knock in Delhi, or an Indian batting collapse like Indore during the Ahmedabad test, it’s highly likely that sports anchors, renowned journalists, and ex-cricketers would have demanded a thorough investigation into why such a debacle had occurred. It is essential to examine the appropriate strategy for India to adopt moving forward.
From the pitch at Indore, which turned square from day one to Ahmedabad pitch that resembled a flat “highway” that any state government would have been proud of. This unexpected strategy was not only weird but also frustrating to witness. The Indian cricket team is currently fortunate to have two exceptional spin bowling all-rounders in their ranks, whose value we will only be fully appreciated when they eventually retire. Fortunately, there is still a good 4-5 years minimum of them playing together. With the emergence of Axar Patel, the Indian cricket team now boasts of three such all-rounders, a luxury that many other teams would envy. Then why create pitches that are extremely one-sided, like the ones in Indore or Ahmedabad, which can either amplify your challenger’s average bowling options or make life difficult for your own bowlers?
We all know how exceptional Ashwin can be in the first innings, and he proved his mettle even on the flat Ahmedabad wicket. Moreover, Jadeja & Axar both known for their accuracy in bowling the same areas repeatedly are super effective when there are cracks on the surface in second innings. By laying out unpredictable wickets, Indian cricket team basically neutralized their team’s key strengths. The failure of Indian batters to perform consistently has resulted in a lack of confidence among them. Scoring runs on wickets like Indore has become a daunting task, especially for the top-order batters. The situation has become such that the lower-middle order batsman (dare I say tailender) is having to bail out the team on multiple occasions. Making runs is like a habit – once you fall into the trap of poor scores, it can have a profound impact on your performance. If your team’s batters are not playing domestic test cricket and are struggling with confidence, it may be necessary to consider some alternative strategies to help build their confidence. Unfortunately, neither the Indore nor the Ahmedabad pitch provided us with adequate preparation for the WTC final.
As we approach the WTC final, our main batters are carrying some doubts, and it’s unclear which lone spinner among the trio will make the starting line-up. Out of the possible pacers, it appears that Md. Shami and Md. Siraj are the frontrunners for selection in the final. As has been the case most times, fanfare generated through IPL performances have tended to carry a significant weight in the selection process. Taking all these factors into consideration, in my opinion, the Indian team is not adequately prepared to tackle the WTC final. In conclusion, the Indian cricket team’s strategy for the pitch is a crucial factor in their success on the field. With an abundance of talented batters and bowlers, it’s important for the Indian team to continue to develop their skills in all types of pitch conditions, from spinning tracks to seaming wickets, and to focus on adapting their game plans accordingly. By doing so, they can remain a competitive force in the cricketing world and bring glory to their country.