Indian Cricket: 5 questions that would be answered in 2020

A few hours ago, the 2019 page of the calendar flipped to 2020, with people across the globe celebrating the dawn of a new year and perhaps, an upturn in fortunes.

Similarly, the end of 2019 also meant that an irresistible decade of sporting action culminated, a period that had seen its fair share of marvelous displays and equally shattering defeats.

Akin to that trend, India too endured a bittersweet year, especially considering the Men In Blue fell short in their pursuit of world domination in England in July. Apart from that gut-wrenching loss in Manchester, the Indians did well to emerge victorious in the Test Series Down Under whereas they also ensured that their ICC World Test Championship campaign remained spotless.

Also see – PSL 2020 schedule

Thus, with 2020 upon the cricketing fraternity, all eyes have unsurprisingly turned towards the potential narratives and sub-plots the succeeding 12 months would entail.

And, through the lens of the article, we would take a peek into the five major questions revolving around Indian cricket that would be answered over the course of the year.

Without further ado, here is a look at them.

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#5 Can India continue their Test dominance in New Zealand?

Can India continue their dominance in New Zealand?

The inception of the ICC World Test Championship has renewed interest in the longest form of the sport, although the competition has largely been dominated by a couple of outfits.

India comfortably sit at the perch whereas Australia represent the only realistic contenders to challenge their position, at least for the time being.

The Virat Kohli-led side started their campaign in the Caribbean where they easily swatted aside the West Indies’ challenge. Thereafter, they clinically dispatched the likes of Bangladesh and South Africa at home to underline their superiority and solidify their spot at the top of the table.

However, one might not be too wrong to term the aforementioned rubbers as slightly favourable, especially considering the turmoil South Africa and West Indies are undergoing whereas Bangladesh are still finding their feet in the Test arena.

Thus, the series away to New Zealand has gained increased importance. Firstly, India have looked a touch susceptible when the conditions have been helpful for swing bowling, although their pace battery is equipped enough to trouble the opposition too.

Yet, if there exists any chink in the Indian armour currently, it could be exploited in circumstances that aid swing and seam profusely.

Secondly, a series victory in New Zealand would help India conquer another tough frontier, in light of what they achieved in Australia in 2018-19.

Hence, there are plenty of incentives for the Indians to bring their A-game to the fore and ensure that they aren’t termed as flat-track bullies. After all, if they are to establish themselves as one of the greatest Indian Test sides ever, a triumph in New Zealand seems a must.

#4 Can Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah hit the ground running after injuries?

Bumrah has been nursing a stress fracture

Ever since the 2019 World Cup, Hardik Pandya has not played an ODI for India whereas his last T20I appearance came against South Africa on the 22nd of September, 2019.

Subsequently, he underwent a back surgery to fix an ailment that had been plaguing him for a while. And, he seems to have gotten back to fitness only recently, although he still is a bit short of being match-fit.

However, India are hopeful that the all-rounder would return in time for the second half of their tour to New Zealand, meaning that he would get some time under the cricketing sun before the frenzied IPL takes over.

Yet, as plenty of players would testify, getting over a back injury and hitting the ground running isn’t a particularly enviable task. And, though his batting might not suffer as much, it is probably his bowling attributes India might be worried about.

Over the past few decades, the Men In Blue have searched fervently for a pace-bowling all-rounder and with Pandya in the mix, several felt that those endeavours had borne fruit. However, if the Mumbai Indians right-hander is unable to contribute with both suits, his value could diminish, meaning that India would again have to go looking for an all-rounder capable of lending balance.

As for Jasprit Bumrah, the pacer has captured the imagination extraordinarily and has swiftly catapulted himself as perhaps the premier fast bowler on the planet. Unsurprisingly, India have missed his wicket-taking abilities whenever he hasn’t been able to take the field.

Thus, his importance to the Indian team can’t be overstated enough. However, akin to Pandya, he too would be charting a comeback trajectory from a stress fracture in the back, meaning that he might have to be eased into the fold.

And, while 1.2 billion people might not even want to envisage a situation without Bumrah in the side, it could be a real possibility, especially if his injury hampers him from hitting the heights only he is capable of.

#3 Can India propel themselves to T20I glory, again?

Can India repeat their 2007 heroics?

Back in 2007, MS Dhoni led a bunch of fearless cricketers to the summit of the ICC World T20 in its inaugural edition. Consequently, the IPL was born and Indian cricket has never looked back since.

However, despite the emphasis the nation places on T20 cricket and the sheer amount of the format its cricketers play, it hasn’t been able to replicate its 2007 success with the closest being an appearance in the final in 2014.

Inevitably, criticisms have been aimed at the side with many even remarking that its approach of building steadily before exploding wasn’t in sync with the frenetic nature of T20s.

And, the results have lent weight to that particular notion with the Men In Blue not looking as menacing in the shortest version of the sport, as opposed to other formats.

Thus, the T20 World Cup in 2020 represents the ideal opportunity for India to allay those fears and strengthen its qualifications for being termed the best team across the globe, irrespective of the format.

And, then there’s also the small matter of Virat Kohli wanting to end his ICC tournament hoodoo. So far, the Indian skipper has excelled as captain, although an ICC trophy has remained elusive. Thus, a man of his competitive nature would want to address that fact, sooner rather than later.

Subsequently, one shouldn’t be too surprised if the competition in Australia ends up defining 2020 for India, just like the 2019 World Cup did.

#2 Can Rishabh Pant finally deliver on his promise?

Rishabh Pant has divided opinion in the past eighteen months

A few years ago, a bustling wicket-keeper, blessed with the ability to manufacture shots out of nothing, enthralled the audiences in the domestic circuit and ultimately, cast himself into the spotlight. To many, the left-handed dasher embodied another gloveman who had burst onto the scene in similar fashion at the start of the 21st century.

After all, Rishabh Pant, courtesy his belligerent stroke-play was indeed drawing comparisons to a certain MS Dhoni. And, while that was a testament to the raw talent he possessed, it has acted more as a bane recently, especially whenever the former has floundered.

Additionally, the pressure on the youngster has increased manifold since MS decided to take a sabbatical post the World Cup. To put things into perspective, Pant has had his head coach wanting to provide him a ‘rap on the knuckles’ while the crowd hasn’t been too shy to remind him of his predecessor, during matches.

Each of the above has eventually forced him to endure the myriad trials and tribulations of being a cricketer in India, despite only recently turning 22. Rather unsurprisingly, he has only portrayed flashes of the brilliance he is capable of, with those sparks often threatening to morph into a raging fire without actually materializing.

Thus, 2020 represents a crucial crossroad for the Delhi Capitals wicket-keeper, especially considering the likes of Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson are also knocking on the national door.

Moreover, with a long rope in international cricket, he has now had the requisite time to acclimatize to the surroundings and develop mechanisms to handle the pressure that he will inevitably be bestowed with.

Consequently, the upcoming year could indeed decide whether Pant remains a cricketer with great potential or one who actually fulfils his vast reserves of talent.

#1 Will we see MS Dhoni don national colours again?

Will MS Dhoni play for India again?

On the 10th of July, 2019, with the World Cup semi-final between India and New Zealand tantalizingly poised, MS Dhoni decided to scamper through for a brace, despite wringing his hand in pain after getting hit by a Lockie Ferguson bouncer.

Yet, he fell agonizingly short of his ground as Martin Guptill conjured a direct hit from the deep square leg fence. Tears rolled down the veteran’s eyes as he walked back to the pavilion while billions across the world watched in pure disbelief.

Since that evening in Manchester, Dhoni hasn’t played a single competitive game of cricket. Let alone a match, he has trained only a handful of times with him using the break to serve the army, trot around the world and hold promotional events.

Thus, the speculation in the media has hit fever pitch, with each weighing in on his retirement debate, although MS doesn’t particularly concern himself with such talk in the spheres away from the pitch.

To add to the above, the BCCI president, Sourav Ganguly has remarked that he’s sure that the legendary wicket-keeper has had communication with the captain and the selectors, meaning that the general public is the only batch of people still left guessing.

Furthermore, when talking about Dhoni and retirement in the same breath, one simply doesn’t know what might unfold, especially considering he decided to hang up his Test boots one fine day in Australia.

On the 10th of July, after uncharacteristically failing to see India through, MS walked into the Manchester sunset as those in attendance applauded a champion who had given everything for his nation.

And, by the time 2020 finishes, the world would probably know if that walk into the Manchester sunset also embodied a casual stroll away from the sport.