INDIA'S DEBACLE - IPL EFFECT?

The ardent supporters of INDIAN CRICKET, who treat cricket as a religion couldn't digest the fact that India slumped from No.1 spot in Test Cricket. A defeat, in general is essayed to many flaws. After briefing all those, the summary is, they lacked proper focus on test cricket, the fighting attitude which was at its summit during world cup.

What is the prime reason? Captain, Players, Coach, Injuries, BCCI, IPL ?

Many critics show propensity to say that Indian cricketers don't possess the technique to counter the seam movement. Men like Tendulkar, Dravid, Laxman did prove a point on conditions that don't favor a batsman. So it is a discredit to question their talent and potential.

Though we failed in all departments, it’s the batting that is behind this disastrous campaign which was infected by a virus named IPL. To counter the ball movement soft hands and astute foot-works are needed, which our batsman executed hardly. In T20 cricket, even an edge will fetch a boundary, but test cricket needs strong temperament and technique. It is true that IPL mood has dented the batsman concentration. The Batting failure let down bowlers who did give few moments in the past even with mediocre resources. The fielding is pathetic to say, with lack luster approach. Even the captain cool, DHONI seemed out of focus and totally aloof from his men.

Some elements of the Indian media have trained their ire on Duncan Fletcher, ignoring the fact that he has far less influence on India than England. Credited with a root-and-branch revamp of English cricket, he is unlikely to be given a voice when it comes to Indian itineraries and personnel changes. The Ganguly – Wright combo is fortunate enough to inherit a squad of players approaching their prime. Fletcher has to guide a group whose stalwarts are approaching sunset.

The whole team showed no character or fighting spirit throughout the three Tests. This is the same team that won India the World Cup and has been brilliant in the past three or four years and has always come good whenever the going got tough.

So it's totally down to the IPL, which had led to India's downfall in England. The players have made millions and millions but at the expense of Test cricket. After playing a long IPL tournament most of the senior members of the Indian team got injured and it certainly did affect the team's morale. Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, Zaheer Khan all played the IPL even though they were tired after the World Cup success and their bodies had already taken their toll.

After playing restless tournament for such a long period, it is very necessary to get back into the test rhythm. But many senior players opted out of the West Indies tour, which would have given enough practice to be back into action. Why don't players opt out of the IPL and be injury free is a million dollar question. The lure of money and constant backing by the board provides a great incentive over commitment to their craft and the country.

The IPL has done great things for Indian cricket in terms of improving infrastructure and giving domestic players a sense of security. But a board that has promoted it relentlessly needs to ensure that its scheduling does not create an impact on the national team's fortune.

The BCCI should realize the fact that IPL is shedding Billions and Billions only at the expense of Indian Cricket. We are not expecting IPL to shut down completely, but it needs to serve as an add on to the Indian cricket, not a point to stress on whenever we fail.

Moreover, time has arrived to seek perfect replacements for batting trio, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman. Though names like Cheteswara Pujara, Suresh Raina, Virat Kohli, Rohit sharma, Ajinkya Rahane are sounding on high pitch, it is impetuous to say they can replace them completely. So its better the team management shows some diligent effort in nurturing them and pave way for a golden future.