One IPL match – two decisive factors for Indian Cricket

Last night at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai there were two important factors that stood out in the low scoring match.  Firstly, the quality of cricket is IPL is at least couple of level below international cricket. Secondly, if the administrators are serious about improving the nature of domestic wickets in India then the wicket at Wankhede Stadium should be the bench mark.

IPL standard below domestic competition

If there could any resemblance between twenty20 and test match cricket then the match between Mumbai Indians and Deccan Charges was it. On a wicket that provided assistance for the new ball bowlers both team struggled to reach 100 runs in 20 over’s.  It was reflection of the standard in the IPL and clear indication of why the performances in the IPL should not count towards a berth in national team.

In first two over’s yesterday Dale Steyn just showed how much India’s promising talent Rohit Sharma needs to improve to be become a great test batsmen. Dale Steyn is the best bowler in the world and did bowl some absolutely unplayable deliveries but it was the manner Rohit handled them that would have raised many eyebrows.  This is not to point the finger at Rohit Sharma but he is considered India’s best youngsters and last night it would have been a reality check for the young man. It was over that he should remember and so should the Indian selectors.  If the best of the youngsters are so far off then how far behind are the others?

In the IPL we have seen the likes of Manadeep Singh or Shikar Dhawan blast the mediocre domestic bowlers to capture headlines. When they come up against Steyn or Morkel they struggle to lay bat on ball.  

Despite all the struggles these players are still considered in the national squad on the basis of IPL performances.

Next time the national selectors start picking teams from the IPL they should watch how the upcoming starts have fared up against the deliveries from Morkel and Steyn on wicket like the one we saw last night in Mumbai. Should a domestic cricket be judge on IPL twenty over cricket or domestic four day matches ?

Couple of years back, Harsha Bhogle had praised the talent of Saurabh Tiwary and stated the IPL was a chance for players like Tiwary needed to show their skills on an international league.  But perhaps Mr Bhogle needed to be mindful that while Saurabh Tiwary’s 35 off 20 balls was seen around India it makes his average of 36.19 in the four day Ranji Matches transparent. 

In contrast an Ajinkya Rahane has been revelation in the IPL and for many it has been the first time they have heard his name. But perhaps now they have heard it they can look up his record which states his average in four day matches is nearly 70. 

IPL definitely gives players an opportunity but does it really set a standard a young player should strive for probably not.

 

Wankhede Wicket ?

Over the past couple of weeks I have had a chance to ask many players across the IPL which wicket they thought was the best wicket for the game of cricket. Surprisingly the batsmen and bowlers have both said “the one at Wankhede”

The wicket has had good carry, there is movement with the new ball but it also comes on to the bat nicely and the ball can grip once it gets older. 

During the IPL matches all the batsmen have struggled to cope with the wicket but at post match conferences all have stated “It’s a good wicket you just need to bat sensibly”.  It is a wicket than enhances proper cricketing shots rather than the improvised ones seen on the flat tracks.

It is a pitch that needs to be replicated all round India if the standard of cricket is to be improved. At the conclusion of the IPL the BCCI pitch committee need gather the Wankhede pitch formula and circulate it amongst all the curators in India.

It will be difficult to mirror all the wickets like the Wankhede as the conditions are different in each of part of India. But if the committee can set Wankhede wicket as the benchmark it at least provides all the curators in India some sort of target. 

The cricket season concludes in India at the end of the IPL and this is right time to ensure the pitches are similar to the one at Wankhede before the start of next season. At least it will be start in the right direction.