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The Indian cricket board (BCCI) is set to conduct a comprehensive review of the Indian team's recent performance, particularly their abject surrender against New Zealand. The review will delve into multiple aspects of the team's structure and operations, focusing on the selection of pitches, the team management's approach, and the participation of senior players in domestic cricket. The BCCI's decision to conduct this review comes amidst growing concerns regarding the team's recent struggles and the need to address potential areas for improvement.
One of the primary areas of concern is the nature of the pitches used during the last two matches against New Zealand. While the team management had previously attempted to move away from playing on rank turners, the decision to revert to such pitches after losing the first Test in Bengaluru has raised questions about the overall strategy. The BCCI is expected to hold discussions about the rationale behind this decision and whether it aligns with the broader vision of the team management. It has been reported that not all members of the leadership group were in agreement with the choice of pitches, suggesting a lack of consensus within the team.
Beyond the pitch selection, the BCCI will also be examining the team's overall management under head coach Gautam Gambhir. The board will seek a detailed roadmap from Gambhir outlining his vision for the team's future and how he plans to address the challenges that have emerged. This includes assessing the role of the support staff selected by Gambhir, who have been appointed despite the BCCI's usual policy of promoting coaches developed through the National Cricket Academy (NCA) program. Additionally, there is concern regarding Gambhir's presence in selection meetings, with some suggesting that this could be a potential conflict of interest. The BCCI may have to reassess its decision to allow Gambhir to attend these meetings, considering the previous practice of having the head coach, Rahul Dravid, participate when a regular captain was unavailable.
Another significant area of scrutiny is the participation of senior players in domestic cricket. There are concerns about the impact of senior players opting out of domestic competition before the start of the international season. While most Indian players participated in the Duleep Trophy, prominent senior players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and R Ashwin were rested. This has led to questions about the importance given to domestic cricket by the board, particularly in light of the BCCI's decision to drop Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan from central contracts for not honoring domestic commitments. The board may have to consider whether it is sending a consistent message about the value of domestic cricket if senior players are exempt from this requirement.
As the BCCI embarks on this review process, it will be crucial for them to address these issues comprehensively and objectively. They will need to develop a plan for transitioning the team going forward, addressing leadership roles and addressing the workload management of key players like Jasprit Bumrah. The review process is expected to be thorough and may lead to significant changes in the team's structure and approach. The BCCI will be looking to ensure that India remains a competitive force in international cricket, and the outcome of this review will play a pivotal role in shaping the future direction of the team.