The India versus Namibia game on Monday night was a foregone conclusion barring the uncertainties of the game.
India head coach Rahul Dravid
It isn’t often that a swansong features a coaching staff and an a captain.
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The India versus Namibia game on Monday night was a foregone conclusion barring the uncertainties of the game.
Namibia managed 132-8 in the allotted 20 overs with all-rounder David Wiese and opener Stephan Baard top-scoring with 26 and 21 respectively. Spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja (three wickets each) and pacer Jasprit Bumrah with two, managed to restrict an opposition that seemed overawed by a team that was far superior and experienced.
Openers KL, Rohit on song
Openers KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma with 54 not out and 56 respectively, turned it on for India and Suryakumar Yadav nailed the win with an unbeaten 25.
The legacy that coach Ravi Shastri, support staff and captain Virat Kohli (in T20 cricket) leave behind is a team culture of self belief and camaraderie that will take Indian cricket forward with Rahul Dravid at the helm. The indelible culture is one of pride for the badge and the ability to believe that this team can fight and compete.
ICC events may not have turned out as we expected, but the last five years have set standards that are high and admirable. COVID times, bio-secure bubbles have been tough on the players and team management. To be able to lead an abnormal life can be tough and frustrating, but this bunch has shown character over the last half a decade.
A competitive unit
Shastri took charge in tough times, charted a road map with the captain and what we have today is a unit that is competitive.
There is physical and mental fatigue. It showed in the first two games that India lost. Dravid’s first challenge will be to address the fatigue issues, managing players’ freshness and take along the belief that has been injected in this team.
A new era has dawned on Indian cricket. We can only support the team and management, and needless to say, be a little patient, a quality we overlook at times.
The writer is a former Mumbai captain and currently CEO of Baroda Cricket Association
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