5 lessons for India from the T20I series defeat

5 lessons for India from the T20I series defeat: It has all panned out very differently from the way it was outlined. India have surrendered the 3 match T20I series against South Africa only in the second game leaving the third one in the Eden Gardens as inconsequential. Their batting display has been sorry to say the least and the bowlers except R Ashwin have done no better.

Each corner of public discussion be it media channels or expert comments kept on hammering the bad South African record against the men in blue in the T20Is. What they forgot was that history counts for very little when the team start afresh. And India have been shown the mirror with not a pleasant image in it. We can’t fault those who gave India the upper hand as in most cases the home side does have the advantage.

But it is not a time to keep yelling. Indians need to draw out important learnings from the demoralizing loss and start building for the future.

Here we list out 5 lessons for India from the T20I series defeat:

1. An eye opener before the T20 World Cup

India were being deemed as outright favourites for the next year’s World T20 to be hosted by the country but the equations have somewhat changed after this thrashing at the hands of the Proteas. While the 2011 ODI World Cup went to script, as India ended with the crown, it is no guarantee that the shortest format would follow a similar pattern. The game here can change in a matter of few overs and no side is sure of a win even after being substantially ahead.

What it has also shown is that Indian batsmen still find it hard to come to terms with any deck that is not a batting beauty. South Africa didn’t even bring their Grade A bowling line up for the T20Is and still had India fold out for their second lowest score in Cuttack. Subcontinent teams who would be even better accustomed to these conditions will pose greater threats. India needs to pull up the socks if they want to win their second T20I title after 2007.

2. Their batting has some chinks

The much famed Indian batting line up was exposed to the hilt at Cuttack. And by no standards it was a 92 run pitch. It would work only to India’s detriment if they continue to be in false fantasies of their batting strength. Genuine pace has never pleased them add off late they have been struggling to handle bowlers like Moeen Ali, by no standards a full-time spinner.

MS Dhoni is no longer the finisher he once was and therefore the fulcrum of the batting needs to shift. What the defeat has also highlighted is that Suresh Raina must have another explosive batsmen to compliment him in the death overs. T20s is a game of winning crucial moments and the assault can’t be left for too late. Stuart Binny, should be a good option with his profound talent of clearing the ropes when its required.

3. The batting order needs to be addressed

It is amply clear that Dhoni wants to bat up the order. And there is no harm in that but there should at least be some clarity about other batting positions as well. The Cuttack T20I presented a great opportunity for MSD to come at number four and dictate proceedings. He rather chose to stay back and by the time he arrived, India were firmly on the back foot.

While T20 cricket is all about adjusting to the situation ad deciding your batting order accordingly, there still needs to some order and semblance in the strategies that the Indian think tank employs for the future. Suresh Raina India’s best and most accomplished T20 batsman should not be treated entirely as a finisher as that would devoid the Indians of crucial and quick runs in the middle. Raina bats at 3 for CSK and the management should devise a way to use him more proficiently and effectively.

4. The bowling is over reliant on Ashwin

It is simply a no brainer. R Ashwin has been India’s most prolific bowler for the last couple of months. His performances in Sri Lanka played a vital role in India winning a Test series after 22 years in the island nation. But it has also thrown light on the rest of the bowling attack. And the vibes are not positive. Neither the pacers, nor the tweakers have provided the support act.

Even in the first game went the South African openers were going berserk it was Ashwin who slowed down producing eventually inviting a false shot from de Villiers. While it bodes well for India that the offie is at this best, the bigger query is how can the rest of the attack find substantial bite and potency. Trying out Amit Mishra who is an experienced T20 bowler could be an answer. Even if it is not the men in blue will have to find a way to reduce Ashwin’s workload.

5. Do away with any sort of complacency

It is not uncommon for a team like India who host the biggest T20 league of the world, IPL to take things easy at times. But what hazards can it be ridden with, must be clear by now. South Africa have shown that the IPL has not only helped young Indian guys get the much-needed experience but also provided a platform for overseas guys to get familiar with Indian conditions.

Never have previous results shown that IPL has helped India perform well at the international T20 stage. And thus there is no room for a slack attitude. India have a task at hand at the next year;s T20 World cup and being the hosts is a two-way sword. While it means you are playing in conditions you are used to, there is also the added pressure to win each game you play. And thus they should treat the upcoming T20Is as a foundation for their bigger goal – the 2016 World Cup title.