How Poor Handovers Can Destroy a Cricket Legacy
Transition in sports is a delicate, almost artistic journey, one that can either elevate or destabilize the legacy of a team. Like the human experience of moving from one life stage to another, transition in sports demands time, patience, and meticulous planning. The cricketing world has provided countless lessons on the art of transition, showcasing successes and failures that highlight its sensitivity.
For many of us, transition is woven into our earliest experiences. As children, we are cocooned in the protection and guidance of our families. From food to education, support is constant, and every need is met. But then, a moment arrives that disrupts this comfort—a move away from home, a leap into independence. For me, that moment came decades ago when I first left home for higher studies. Suddenly, I was responsible for washing my own clothes, cooking my meals, and grappling with independence. This transition was challenging, yet it laid the foundation for future growth.
Transition stories over the past few decades :
In cricket, such pivotal moments can define the legacy of a team. Let’s start with an example of a transition that faltered: the West Indies cricket team. For almost 15 years, from 1980 to 1995, the West Indies were a powerhouse, unchallenged in Test cricket. They boasted not only explosive batsmen like Gordon Greenidge, Desmond Haynes, and Sir Vivian Richards, but also a lethal lineup of fast bowlers—Michael Holding, Andy Roberts, Malcolm Marshall, and Joel Garner. However, as these stalwarts retired, replacements were insufficiently nurtured, leaving gaps that even stars like Brian Lara, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Curtly Ambrose, Courtney Walsh, Ian Bishop, etc. couldn’t fully bridge. In 1995, the Mark Taylor led Australian team ended West Indies’ streak, and the Caribbean side has struggled to recapture its former glory since. Their story serves as a cautionary tale of how a failed transition can undo years of dominance.
Speaking of Australia, their transition in the early 2000s also underscores the challenges inherent in change. Between 1995 and 2005, they were virtually unstoppable, consistently conquering opponents both at home and abroad. But after winning the 2007 Ashes series 5-0, several legends—Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Justin Langer, and Damien Martyn—retired. The departures left a void that Australia struggled to fill immediately. Despite talented players like Michael Clarke, Michael Hussey, and Mitchell Johnson stepping in, Australia endured a period of inconsistency, marked by Ashes losses and struggles on subcontinental pitches. Only in recent years, under Pat Cummins’ leadership, has Australia regained stability, hinting that a robust transition may yet solidify their future.
India, however, provides an illuminating counter-narrative. The Indian team last faced a major transition in 2011-2013 after disastrous overseas series in England and Australia, both ending in 0-4 losses. As stalwarts like Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman bowed out, and the redoubtable Sachin Tendulkar took his final bow in 2013, many wondered if India could preserve its Test prowess. Yet, a wave of promising talent came forth—Virat Kohli stepped up to fill Tendulkar’s shoes at No.4, Cheteshwar Pujara inherited Dravid’s role, and Ajinkya Rahane brought stability reminiscent of Laxman’s middle-order resilience. In the spin department, R. Ashwin replaced Harbhajan Singh, while fast bowlers like Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah helped India achieve the unthinkable: winning Test series overseas, including historic triumphs in Australia. This well-managed transition allowed India to maintain its dominance, underscoring the value of foresight and preparation.
Standing on a precipice !
But now, Indian cricket finds itself once more on the precipice of change. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, and R. Ashwin are all on the wrong side of 30. In recent years, their consistency has waned, with Kohli and Rohit averaging below 50, a shadow of their former prowess. Kohli’s run-scoring, once formidable, has dipped dramatically, and Sharma’s overseas record remains a concern. As India recently lost its first home series in decades to Tom Latham’s New Zealand brave hearts, cracks in the existing order have become visible. The need for a new generation of Indian Test cricketers is pressing, but the pathway is uncertain.
This transition phase demands careful selection and nurturing of talent. Promising young players like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill hold potential, but their overseas records are yet to inspire confidence. Jaiswal has shown brilliance at home, but as seen with many Indian batters, the true test lies abroad. The upcoming series in Australia will likely be a defining challenge for him. Gill, though an excellent stroke-maker, has yet to establish himself as a consistent scorer in the longest format. Rishabh Pant’s enigmatic presence consistently exudes confidence, yet his ability to spearhead remains uncertain. Sarfaraz Khan’s credentials will face rigorous scrutiny in the BGT 2024-25 Down Under; success would alleviate middle-order concerns. Conversely, if Sarfaraz falters, alternative solutions must be explored. Notably, KL Rahul’s Test Team longevity is uncertain, marred by a decade-long average in the mid-30s and an injury-impacted career trajectory.
On the bowling front, Washington Sundar’s performance in the recent Pune Test match was encouraging, but can he match the all-round prowess of someone like Jadeja or Ashwin ? Moreover, the dilemma of spin replacements looms large. Ashwin and Jadeja have defined an era of Indian spin mastery. Axar Patel, surprisingly left out of the squad for Australia, had showed remarkable potential in previous series like the 2021 series versus England at home and the 2023 BGT at home. But now with no specific reason from the Indian Team Management, he has become unpickable in the red ball format.
Ravi Ashwin’s legacy necessitates consistency from his successor. Regrettably, Indians have consistently undervalued Ashwin’s Test contributions, particularly at home. His impending retirement will leave an unfillable chasm, underscoring the enormity of his departure. BCCI’s National selection committee will face a tough choice: to blend experience with youth, or to plunge fully into a new generation. As Indian cricket navigates its current transitional challenges, will talented young players like Tanush Kotian, an off-spinner from Mumbai, be afforded the necessary time and support to fully develop ?
Mark my words, the impending transition will be marked by turbulence and will necessitate visionary leadership and expert stewardship to guide India’s Test Cricket, especially, through some treacherous waters. The role of selectors, led by Ajit Agarkar and Head Coach Gautam Gambhir, will be instrumental in ensuring that India’s transition is smooth. With the heavy influence of the IPL, players with strong white-ball credentials may be tempting choices, but red-ball cricket is a different beast. Prioritizing performances in the Ranji Trophy, India’s premier domestic first-class competition, could serve as a remedy to ensure that the right talent emerges for the Test arena. Test cricket demands resilience, technique, and temperament, attributes that may not be fully honed in the shorter formats. The struggles of India’s batsmen against relatively lesser spinners, such as Santner and Glenn Phillips, who are not in the same league as masters like Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan, whom Indian batsmen previously handled with ease, underscores the decline in quality of India’s current batting lineup when facing spin. But must admit, I am just blown away by what Mitch Santner has achieved in the just concluded Pune Test.He not only played the biggest role in giving the Men from Aotearoa, their arguably greatest ever overseas test series win but created a little piece of history for himself.
This test, gave Mitchell Josef Santner his first (and second) five wicket haul in an innings in his fledgling test career. Santner also bagged his first 10-wicket haul, not just in test matches, but also in his 60-odd match first class career. The Indian Cricket team’s generous hosting embodied the ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ spirit !
Larger Global Impact on Test cricket’s existence :
Coming back, the broader implications of a failed transition extend beyond national pride. India’s sustained success in Test cricket is critical for the format’s survival globally. With T20 leagues gaining global popularity, Test cricket risks being overshadowed. Yet, for many purists, Test cricket represents the game’s essence, its most nuanced and challenging format. If India, one of the world’s cricketing powerhouses, struggles in Tests, it could spell trouble for the format worldwide.
This vulnerability in transition is not unique to cricket. Tennis offers a parallel story. India once enjoyed a golden era in doubles, with players like Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi, and Sania Mirza achieving Grand Slam success. But since then, with the exception of Rohan Bopanna, Indian tennis has struggled to produce world-beaters, let alone Grand Slam contenders. The inability to nurture a new generation has left Indian tennis in a prolonged lull, a stark reminder that even the brightest legacies can fade without proper succession.
In cricket, the task is clear but difficult. The next generation must not only fill big shoes but forge its own path. With young talents emerging, patience and thoughtful planning are crucial. For India to maintain its place at the pinnacle of Test cricket, selectors must choose wisely, resisting the lure of instant fame from T20 stardom. They need to identify players who can embrace the grind of five-day cricket, who can rebuild an innings in tough conditions, and who understand the art of sustained bowling spells.
The current moment is both a challenge and an opportunity. If handled well, India can sustain its status as a global Test powerhouse, preserving the format’s integrity for years to come. If mishandled, the Test arena may slowly dim, especially in India. With the weight of history and legacy on its shoulders, Indian cricket stands at a crossroads—a familiar, yet daunting phase of transition.