'Where Was The Intent?' Dilip Vengsarkar Questions The Lack Of It During Preparations Ahead Of The WTC Final

Former Indian cricketer Dilip Vengsarkar has opened up on the Indian team’s lack of intent in the ICC World Test Championship final against New Zealand. India succumbed to a resounding eight-wicket loss as the Kiwis overcame to become the inaugural World Test Champions in Southampton. Dilip Vengsarkar questioned the intent that captain Virat Kohli promised and lamented the lack of proper preparation.

New Zealand came into the World Test Championship final against India after playing two Tests against England, whom they beat convincingly. Hence, the Kiwis were pretty much match fit and had better knowledge of the conditions. Not only the bowling line-up, but also the batsmen played with discipline to give the Black Caps their first ICC title since 1999.

Dilip Vengsarkar stated that if Virat Kohli talked about intent, it wasn’t available in the final and blamed poor preparation as one of the significant reasons for their loss. The former Indian chief selector believes that India should have played at least a couple of four-day games to assess which players are match fit. Vengsarkar underlined that bowlers get the idea of what lengths to hit only by featuring in warm-up matches.

“If he is talking about intent, then why didn’t the team prepare properly for this match? Where was the intent then? They should have played at least two four-day games. You want to know whether the players are match fit or not by playing those games. The fast bowlers will know what lengths to hit straightway only in those practice games,” Vengsarkar said as quoted by India Today.

I am amazed this itinerary was approved: Dilip Vengsarkar

Dilip Vengsarkar also questioned the itinerary, which allows the Indian players to take a long vacation before returning to play Test matches. The 65-year old highlighted that a week’s break should have been enough after the WTC final and is surprised to find such schedules approved.

“I don’t know how we approach this kind of an itinerary. Where you go for a holiday in between and then come back to play Test matches. One week break was enough post the WTC final. The thing is you need to play continuously. I am amazed this itinerary was approved,” he added.

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