“Controlled aggression”, a word that has been heard repeatedly in almost every competitive sport. Nobody steps out on the field, in any sport, without an intention to win or compete hard. Even the weakest team in any sport while facing the strongest has every notion to try and win it each time they step out to play. Somehow, over the last two years, the Indian cricket team management has made too much fuss over this whole “intent” issue. I mean all the members of the squad have earned their place, and are in their to try and win it in every possible outing on the cricket field.
Yes, agreed one need to be cautious about going into a shell. I strongly recall two such examples: 2005 in Bangaluru test V Pakistan, where in spite of being 1-0 up and playing positive till Lunch (chasing 400 odd) on the last day, India went into a diffensive shell and lost plot by losing wickets to part timer Afridi. Another instance was a year later in Fall 2006 in Capetown V South Africa where on Day 4, after having a good first innings lead, the team went into a shell again and lost the plot. Similarly, it’s foolish to put intent ahead of the application.
The current team management, would however disagree. It all started in South Africa 2017-18 and that search for intent made India drop their most reliable overseas batsmen and Vice Captain- Rahane, altogether from the squad. It has resulted in so much shaken confidence that 2 years later we saw him miserably deal with some regular short pitched stuff in New Zealand! I mean, this batter had scored Tons in Australia and South Africa V the attack of Johnson, Starc, Steyn, Morkel etc. We saw it repeat in England (2018), when team management preferred intent (Dhawan) over application (Pujara) and began the series on the wrong foot.
One would have thought that Australia 2018-19 would have finally drove the message home that Pujara’s application and hard-work crafted the first ever series victory down under in 72 years. But unfortunately, the intent blast from the past resurfaced in Kiwi land. When it almost looked like Pujara was applying himself (2nd innings at Wellington) and Rahane in both innings of the same test, the team management was quipping again about getting into a shell, when in fact the need of the hour was spending time out there, respect the conditions, and then score later.
Coach and captain can talk all about how the team dominates when it is winning at home, use superlatives like Ferrari and all, however, if they want to be the ”best traveling side in the last 15-20 years”, then they need to show more application overseas than this phony intent. The records and facts will actually disagree with bombastic coache’s statement, as in 2002 (1-1) and in 2007 (1-0) India returned from England unscathed, while his team lost (1-4). 2002 was on the back of Dravid-Bangar’s application at Headingley to bat out the whole day scoring only 236 on day 1 but laying valuable foundation for 628 (match winning score)!
Even in 2018 series, in the last test, Rahul-Pant showed some grit and application and by the tea brought some hope of saving the game. 170 odd in 30 overs (with 5 wickets) was never possible, and a draw would have boosted confidence of those two youngsters. However, right then, the unfortunate intent took over and soon the plot was lost! So, team India, next time you walk out on the field, think application first and the intent will follow by itself.
-Nikhil Sharad Jadhav
CricAdda 