We wasted our time with the Sri Lankans: Bishan Singh Bedi

The loss to South Africa in the second Test at Centurion and the subsequent series defeat has come down heavily on the Indian team. The Virat Kohli-led side embarked on a journey shouldering immense expectations of overturning past sinful results in the rainbow nation. But only to the demise of the whole nation, the Men in Blue succumbed as history prevailed.

Interestingly prior to the start of the series, the Indian team looked in sublime form. Coming on the back of an indomitable home season, the Indian colts looked lethal to take vengeance for the past horrors. The latest series that they played before travelling to South Africa was against Sri Lanka.

This was, however, the return fixture as earlier in the year, India travelled to the Island. Thus the second leg of fixtures raised questions, especially with the South Africa tour lined up next. This debated topic has yet again resurfaced after India’s loss at Centurion, as to justify the necessity of the series against the Islanders.

Former India skipper opens up

The latest cricketer to pose this question is former India skipper Bishan Singh Bedi. As per the quotes on NDTV, Bedi said, “There was no preparation. We wasted our time with the Sri Lankans. There was no sense in playing a weak team for one-and-a half-months when we should be preparing for South Africa,”

He added, “It was supposed to be a tough tour and it required intense preparation. You beat Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka and you then call them to India, for what? The Indian cricketers would have been better off playing domestic cricket or preparing themselves exclusively for the tour.”

It was a disappointing defeat in the end. Especially, when India had one of the best teams on paper and was in a scintillating form. Maybe it was the pressure, maybe it was the conditions, but the Men in Blue yet again succumbed to the pace and bounce of the rainbow nation. It can only be before so long, that the Men in Blue forget the horrors of the past and start anew.