India’s problem of plenty: A boon or a bane?

The 2019 World Cup is just around the corner and we have officially entered the home stretch of the preparation stage. The Indian team seems to have most bases covered and look better equipped than four years ago.

The core of the side is set in stone with only a couple of pieces left to complete the jigsaw. In addition, India also boasts of an enviable problem namely the problem of plenty.

India would hope to repeat their 2011 heroics

Having more players at one’s disposal certainly gives one more options to play around with. Yet, on certain occasions, the conundrum of choosing between the abounding alternatives throws even the best of machines into disarray. After all, there is a reason too many cooks spoil a broth.

So, should the Indian team really be too elated at the plethora of talent or be quietly uncomfortable with the demerits it carries?

At the last World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, South Africa were in a very similar situation to India. The team possessed enough talent to finally end their World Cup hoodoo yet as the semi-final stage dawned upon them, it was a familiar sight of them coming unstuck.

South Africa were made to pay for fiddling a little too much

The said game against New Zealand was on the back of a quarter-final mauling handed out to Sri Lanka. Every aspect of the Proteas’ play was up to the mark against the Islanders and they strolled past them. However, in the semi-final, they made one wrong decision after another owing to the predicament of having simply an option too many.

Kyle Abbott was replaced by Vernon Philander in the match despite the former’s wicket-taking exploits earlier in the tournament. The latter failed to inspire and with South Africa a death bowler short, they were made to pay by an exquisite Elliot.

A few other illustrations away from the sport of cricket also throw light on the drawbacks of possessing an assortment of answers. A prime example would be India’s inability to retain their Kabaddi title at the Asian Games.

One of the primary shortcomings of the problem in discussion is the danger of creating a team of champions rather than a champion team. One is always hell-bent on accommodating the best players (regardless of their suitability with each other) in the team and thus, the team balance eventually suffers.

Yet, so far, the Indian team has handled the pitfalls the embarrassment of riches brings along with it.

India has made the right calls so far

One of the most important aspects of tackling the problem in question is to find the right balance between flexibility and fiddling. Additionally, the culture around the team should be such that the chopping and changing should only be done to further a cause. And this is where India seems en route to utilising its vast options.

Akin to the 2011 World Cup run-in, India has played a lot of ODIs and tried a myriad of team combinations. A majority of them have worked out and they have rarely tweaked things for the sake of it.

Moreover, the team environment is extremely healthy and the players are looking forward to making the most of their chances rather than watching nervously over their shoulders.

Shami's careful re-introduction has worked a treat

Hence, at the moment, every player stepping into another’s shoe knows that unless he performs, he could fall by the wayside swiftly.

Moreover, the team management has expertly chalked out the roles it wants each of its players to perform. Hence, whenever a batsman or bowler walks to the wicket, he knows what is expected of him. And that above all, proves to be the clincher on most occasions.

The captain too, plays a pivotal role in the process of making the best use of the resources. If the skipper is unsure of his own form and a little circumspect, he might find it difficult to indulge in experiments as the yardsticks for himself and his teammates can’t be too dissimilar. However, with Virat Kohli in irresistible form over the past few years, the above issue has been adroitly taken care of.

Kohli hasn't been afraid to try new options

In team sports, the worst atmosphere a team can create is one where the players end up playing for themselves, abandoning the team’s needs in the process. At times, the temptation of changing personnel at the drop of a hat could lead the players to prioritie their own needs.

Yet, if the fine line between minimising the insecurity and optimising the desperateness to perform is properly tread on, the quality of display goes up a notch.

Fortunately, for India, they’ve not erred on either side so far. Thus, they look on course to bend their problem of plenty to their advantage.

Though it is still premature to earmark India to go on and lift the World Cup in a few months’ time, they are making all the right noises before heading into the mega-tournament. While having abundant assets has been the scourge of many in the past, the Indian team just seems to have steered clear of the demon.

Thus, too many cooks do indeed spoil a broth yet many compatible cooks definitely make the delicacy delectable.

After all, one would rather have 10 pegs to fit in 8 holes rather than the other way round, wouldn’t they?