MISSION DOMINATION

Two months. Two trophies. One would term this performance of Indian cricket team as tremendous as ever.  The second ICC title in two years has cemented the team to the top of the ICC rankings in ODI cricket. Post World Cup 2011, Indians haven’t had a cake-walk journey across the world cricket until the young guns came & showed of what really a champion means. The heavy losses suffered in England & Australia in ’11 & again at home against England last year is something that the fans won’t forget until next year when they will again tour England. But one must look into the fact that the team which suffered losses after losses & the team which now have the ‘Australian’ attitude to play & win comprise huge differences in terms of everything. It’s not that fans don’t have a respect for those senior players who are not a part of the current team, but in modern day, the level that the game of Cricket being played in, it demands a team which not only have the skill & aggressive attitude but also the athleticism which works as a plus point. The remark that Dhoni had made after the South Africa match in the Champions’ Trophy that “we are the best fielding side in the world” needs to be justified in future as well.

In the Indian cricket selection process, where current selectors made a fearless decision to inject fresh blood in the team is really laudable. They preferred performance over reputations. Athleticism over one-sided flamboyance and the result is clear. Now fans don’t feel the absence of those players on the field, of course courtesy to this team’s brilliance on the field, but also because of the fact that “some of them really slow on the field or hesitant to throw themselves on the ball”- a remark, which Dhoni justifiably made. Fielding used to overshadow the team’s batting prowess in many matches that time. Also the fact or rumor, whatever you say, adds fuel to this transition phase is that some seniors used to face ego-clash with the skipper, which reflected the team’s performance in the past.

It’s not that the door has been shut for those senior players. Selectors do have a clear message- perform or perish. But one has to look on one ruthless fact that modern day cricket doesn’t need old horses. Some legend recently remarked that this Indian team will dominate next few years in cricket provided they make their bowling attack a bit more lethal. They will compliment an in-form team time & again but they are arguably right. Two years to go to defend the World Cup title, this team has the right composure & balance to justify them to claim that in 2015 in Australia & New Zealand. One would feel for the seniors but everybody now moving on & if they have to catch this generation & find a place, then they not only have to perform but also match this generation’s standards. But as of now, it’s mission domination for new Team India.