The Indian cricket team appears to be lacking the spirit, enthusiasm and spine needed to compete with conviction. In the recently concluded Sri Lanka series, India failed to push hard enough for victory in the second Test. Sonal deserves admiration for his courageous second century, which denied India victory, but India’s lack of urgency was disappointing. With Sri Lanka leading by 170 runs and around 30 overs remaining, India’s fielding became casual. Captain Gill also appeared short of strategy and tactical awareness. When Keshara joined Sonal, close-in fielders could have been used to create pressure. Instead, the opportunity was missed. Even Gill and Jaiswal bowling a few overs late in the innings could have been attempted earlier to disrupt the batsmen’s rhythm. This is the fighting spirit seen in Australia and England, where matches are contested until the final ball. India, meanwhile, too often appears to surrender. Coach Gambhir has failed to instil this resilience. Recent performances, including the poor white-ball results in Ireland and England, demand accountability. A change in leadership is necessary if Indian cricket is to regain its former glory.
S KAMAT, Mysuru
