Strategic reasons why India lost the ODI series

Strategic reasons why India lost the ODI series: India have been conquered and quite handsomely. For the first time after 2012 they have lost an ODI series at home. And it’s not that quality sides haven’t visited the country all this while. Australia came for a 7 match ODI series. England came twice but were outrightly thumped quite like the Lankans. And so this loss can’t be taken as a common phenomenon and brushed under the carpet.

The carpet won’t be long enough to hide the shortcomings. And so what it requires is a thorough and detailed analysis of what actually went wrong. And what could have been done differently. In all this, it would be foolish to take any credit away from South Africa. They have shown what a high-class ODI side they are even away from home. And as soon as they win a major 50 over ICC Trophy, the Proteas will be counted with the Aussies as an all-round team excelling in all environments.

First things first, India needed to take the T20I series defeat as a wake-up call. Sadly they didn’t. Losing a game after making 200 runs (Dharamsala) or a meek surrender of 92 (Cuttack) are not frequent sights when India plays in its backyard. What it highlighted was that both departments bowling and batting weren’t clicking simultaneously. And come the ODIs India thought it would be a different ball game. Well, it was just that here also they ended up in misery.

Without going round and round let us come to the specifics. Indian bowlers were too caught up with the aura of AB de Villiers and the South African skipper capitalized to the hilt. There was no way they could have conceded a 300 plus total in Kanpur. But once AB started to accelerate, Indian pacers just looked helpless. Agreed that he is a world-class batsman but surely Yorkers should be on your strategic list. Were hardly on display, though. That innings gave the tourists the much-needed momentum and India fell just short in the chase.

India were always on course, but for the final moments in Kanpur. That bitter loss emphasized the point that India lacked batsmen who could take an inspired effort (the one Rohit put up with his 150) to the desired conclusion. Had the hosts been a little proactive the match wouldn’t have gone to the last over (which is well documented now). Before we go to other defeats let us focus on selection. A dry pitch in Kanpur demanded 3 spinners, but Dhoni chose to show confidence in the pace trio only to be shown the mirror. After Ashwin was injured the management had little choice than to bring in Harbhajan who performed to expectations.

Umesh Yadav being left out on account of being expensive also needs an educated insight. Like Dale Steyn he should be given the liberty to bowl fast go for some runs but should have the responsibility of getting wickets. India anyways do not have a pace battery like their African counterparts and Umesh with his pace could have been tricky on the pitches that were used in the series. The fifth ODI where the other military mediums were carted round the park provides ample justification. Despite Raina and Dhawan looking woefully out of sorts none of Rayudu or Gurkeerat were preferred.

Now enough of those who didn’t play. Let’s discuss those who had plenty of chances to prove themselves. Raina succumbed way to often to irresponsible shots when the team needed him badly. And nobody can underplay the disastrous show of the Indian pacers Bhuvi and Mohit. Both averaged 49 and 43 with the ball in this series. What was particularly perplexing was them running at full clicks and bowling half trackers. That could work if you have pace but 135 km/h is not what is considered quick in international cricket. They were not able to land it on a length consistently and can’t complain about the pitch not assisting them. If you can’t do the basics right then not many pitches would be conducive.

Now about the much-debated batting order. Some of the alterations far from a wise man’s planning. If Dhawan was not firing at the top, the solution was having Rahane to open and rest the southpaw for a few games. Instead, Virat had to go down to accommodate Rahane at three. For a man who has won you so many games batting at number three, this wasn’t justified. And international players need to have settled batting orders to keep them in the best frame of mind. The only ton (a series-saving one) which Virat got was at his favourite number 3 spot in Chennai. And he showed if he gets set then the opposition have nowhere to hide. It would have been better had the hosts realized that earlier.

Coming to the new ODI rules, they had quite an impact especially in the third ODI. Not often do India lose an ODI at home with Virat and Dhoni going great guns and the target pretty much in their sights. But they overestimated the wickets in hand theory and slowed down at the wrong time thinking the others would come and go berserk. It didn’t happen as South Africa hurled a flurry of bouncers to snatch a game which was in India’s grasp for the better part. The final game of the series in a way thumped the Proteas authority on the series. The score line might be showing 3-2 but they were the better side by a distance and deserving holders of the trophy.

Dhoni’s comments after the series that the ‘process is more important than the results’ have already drawn criticism from experts like Sunil Gavaskar and if India do not pull up their socks the Test series could also be a tough affair. For now, MS has time to rethink his strategy in the 50 over format and come up with not only plans but needs to execute them on the field.