5 Changes That Team India Must Make To Win The Next WTC Final

The Indian test team suffered another defeat in the finals of the inaugural edition of the ICC World Test Championship against New Zealand and they will certainly be under the scanner. The team has performed really well in the test championship at home conditions but still hasn’t been able to dominate in the overseas conditions.

Barring from the overseas test win in West Indies, India suffered a humiliating 0-2 loss to New Zealand in the two-match series and scampered through with a 2-1 win in the test series against Australia. This cannot be a pattern going on and India needs to make sure that they change its game plans. Here are 5 changes that India must make after the World Test Championship final loss.

5 Changes That Team India Must Make To Win The Next WTC Final:

5.Change In Coaching Staff

Ravi Shastri was appointed as the head coach of the Indian team in July 2017 post India’s loss in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy against Pakistan. He brought in Bharat Arun as the bowling coach and R Sridhar as the fielding coach once he came into the Indian coaching staff. He has had a fair amount of success with the Asia cup win in 2018, and the Nidahas Trophy win in 2018.

But he couldn’t take India past the semi-finals in the 2019 Worldcup which is one of the big moments and now his team selection for the World Test Championship finals has already been questioned. Ravi Shastri is set to serve until the ICC T20 Worldcup 2021 which will take place in a few month’s time and India should be looking to change the coaching staff if the performances aren’t up to the level.

4.Selection Of Good Players From Ranji Trophy

India’s domestic setup has been really good which has been a hallmark for the test team that did really well even without the seniors turning up in Australia. The India A players and Rahul Dravid have combined really well and have produced a lot of brilliant talents for the selectors to choose from.

The likes of Abimanyu Eshwaran, Priyank Panchal have all been among the runs for a long time in the Ranji Trophy and they should be given a go in the test team. Also, Jaydev Unadkat should be given a chance in tests as he provides the left-arm option as well as he was the leading wicket-taker in the previous Ranji Trophy season.

3.Stability In Opening Position

India went into the World Test Championship finals with the opening combination of Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma and they left out Mayank Agarwal who has done really well for India in tests in his short career. Gill has been impressive at times but has struggled against the moving ball which will be exposed in conditions like England.

Gill struggled against the swing bowlers against England and he failed to put up a big score in both innings of the finals. India cannot be changing their openers for a long time and they should stick on to Rohit and Gill if they believe in them. Gill will have his big test coming up in the five-match test series against England and Rohit will also be noticed about his overseas contributions.

2.Inclusion Of Young Players

India have gone in for a lot of experience in the side by neglecting youngsters who have been performing really well in domestic cricket. Washington Sundar is relatively young and he should be considered in the future for a spot in the playing XI as he can offer with both bat and ball.

Also, Prithvi Shaw has been in an amazing run of form in the domestic season and he should be brought back into the test team for his recent form. He started his test career brilliantly and can be very destructive at the top of the order. There are also a lot of youngsters including Mohammad Siraj waiting in the wings who should be given a go.

1.Exclusion Of Some Senior Players

India have relied on their senior middle-order which has been fairly inconsistent. The likes of Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane have played in the Indian test team for a long time and a lot will be expected from them every time they step onto the field. But they haven’t been able to dominate the proceedings.

Also, Wriddhiman Saha and Ishant Sharma are looking to have a lot of fitness issues and they should be taken into notice too. India should start looking beyond Pujara at number three for a batsman who can keep the scoreboard ticking instead of just trying to defend the balls only.