There has been a huge interest created on Sachin Tendulkar’s autobiography and I have no hesitation in saying that I am also very keen to read the book. By the time my article will see the light on Thursday, the book will already be in public and I am sure the cricket crazy enthusiasts of this country are waiting to lap it up.
I have read a few excerpts in newspapers and I must admit sincerely that somewhere it gives a personal satisfaction to see the truth being revealed. Only when a person goes through the turmoil personally does one realise what it is and frankly speaking, I can relate to the incidents that happened in Zimbabwe in 2005 and thereafter.
The basic note of discord between Greg Chappell and yours truly was with regard to doing away with senior cricketers of that time and I had to put it across strongly that it doesn’t happen that way. It was all about who controls the team.
Indian cricket has moved ahead, far beyond the days of Greg Chappell and in the last three-to-four weeks, there has been some mature decisions taken in Indian cricket, which has made me very happy. The rotation policy has been very effectively used by the selectors as they rested a few big names who play a lot of cricket year round. It is important for them to stay fresh. The repeated opportunity given to Axar Patel, previously by resting Ravichandran Ashwin and now Ravindra Jadeja, has been praiseworthy.
Not that Ashwin and Jadeja have performed poorly but by giving Axar a long run, they have created another spinning all-rounder. Trust me, he has excellent big match temperament.
India’s bowling combination at Cuttack was spot-on and the seam bowling attack looked brilliant, very pacy. This is where the handling of Varun Aaron comes in. The team management has to find ways to keep him fit. He has to bowl more and more in match conditions.
It is Varun’s responsibility to serve Indian cricket and find ways to keep himself injury free as his addition to the side will be a big bonus. The physio and the trainer will have to work more on the bowler to get maximum cricket out of him and keep him bowling fit rather than making him gym fit.
Virat Kohli led the side well but like all other Indian captains his real test will not be in these conditions. Sri Lanka will need to perform much better to compete with India. Their record in Indian conditions has been very ordinary and they will need to do different things to stop the Indian juggernaut. They look rusty but with high quality players in the side, players with pride, confidence and performance around the world, they will try to turn around. Like any touring teams, they need to be careful about putting India in to bat after winning the toss.