PlayBack 2013 – Part Two – Team Reports

India

India became the number one in ODIs. They didn’t lose a ODI series at home. Had the tour to the Rainbow nation went as planned, there might have been good performance in ODIs as well. Spot fixing in IPL and several controversies in the administration affected the team but the Champions Trophy victory was the sought after treatment for the wound. They lost the historic ODI series against Pakistan at the start of the year though. Hunt on for replacements for Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman and Sachin Tendulkar but was able to find great promises who have showcased their talent at home.

Champions Trophy became a much needed break for Team India. After all those that happened over 2 months at home, Dhoni and Co looked much relieved when they landed in UK for the final edition of the title. Fittingly, India didn’t lose a game and went on to win the title beating the host nation in a T20 encounter. The team looked better in confidence looking back at their plight when the team last toured the nation. A Gangnam style celebration and happiness all around. Talks on coach Duncan Fletcher’s sacking subsided.

Focusing on the 2015 world cup, India sacked non-performers in Sehwag, Gambhir, Zaheer and Harbhajan who were supposed to be the core of the team. Tough decision taken by the administrators but given that India played almost the whole year at home, new kids showed their talent. But team still lacks quality bowlers. The road ahead in 2014 is hectic as the team keeps on touring. One wonders how mentally fit they will be when the world cup begins.

Notable Contributions – M Vijay became the first Indian to make 2 successive 150-plus scores. Cheteshwar Pujara made a double hundred handling the pressure of being termed as the next Rahul Dravid. Shikar Dhawan will remember his test debut innings for long. His 85 ball century is the fastest by a debutant in tests. He became the fourth Indian batsman after Sehwag(twice), Polly Umirgar and Azhar to post 100 runs or more between lunch and tea.

Domestic – Wasim Jaffer scales Ranji Peak. Jaffer accomplished 2 unique landmarks – of becoming both the highest run-getter and century-maker in Ranji Trophy

High – India whitewash Australia. Wins Border-Gavaskar trophy 4-0. First time India has won a series 4-0. The thumping draw at Wanderers gives a fitting farewell to the year but the loss at Durban will question Dhoni’s captaincy.

Low – Its worse to see a tour cut short due to administrative issues.

Retirements – Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid signed off from all formats. Ajit Agarkar, after struggles to get to top fitness and a dream to represent the nation again, quit the game.

Pakistan

Pakistan won an ODI series against India but nothing more to boast about. They became the first team in more than three years to beat India in a bilateral series at home. But they were sent crashing for 49 by Steyn & Co in the first test, their lowest ever. Defeat by 24 runs at the hands of Zimbabwe in Harare was a low point in 2013. Better performance against West Indies was a breather. Playing at neutral venues as home games is a factor towards nil improvement. No point blaming the coach. The team has to get into the grove to win games. PCB has to make sure the team gets enough opportunity before the 2015 world cup.

Off-Field – With the ghost surrounding the spot fixing scandal slowly diminishing, a British tabloid ‘Daily Mail’ raised concerns over the tied ODI between WI and Pak. A Pak official responded as “Every time our team starts doing well or wins a series, these baseless reports come up”.

When Saeed Ajmal said that there is nothing special about Whatmore, people were puzzled about the relationship between the Pak team and their coach. “There is no difference, just that we are paying more to him, otherwise there is no difference” – Ajmal told a Pak TV channel.

High – Their high point is winning a test against South Africa in Abu Dhabi snapping South Africa’s 2 year unbeaten run. But they were bowled out for 99 in the next game.

Low – Test loss to Zimbabwe