India’s recent historic Test victory in Cape Town marks the end of another successful overseas tour, but cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar emphasizes the need for meticulous planning as the team looks ahead to future challenges. The next significant overseas tour for India is scheduled for November-December 2024 in Australia, and Gavaskar urges the team management to draw valuable lessons from past mistakes.
In a Sportstar column, Gavaskar highlights the historical pattern of Indian teams struggling in the initial matches of series against SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) countries, often losing the first Test and then playing catch-up. To break this pattern, Gavaskar recommends early planning, particularly with the upcoming home series against Bangladesh and New Zealand.
“The defeat in Centurion is pretty much a pattern for Indian teams touring the SENA countries, where they lose the first Test of the series and then play catch-up for the remainder of the series,” notes Sunil Gavaskar.
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Looking ahead to the Australia tour, Gavaskar suggests incorporating practice games into the preparation, providing valuable playing time for both batsmen and bowlers. While acknowledging India captain Rohit Sharma’s concerns about the quality of opposition in tour games, Gavaskar argues that even playing against second-rate teams on slower pitches can help players find their rhythm and form.
“The first Test of a five-match series in Australia will likely start in early December, so it does give the Indians time to play a couple, if not more, first-class games before the series,” Sunil Gavaskar writes. He encourages the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to engage with Cricket Australia for matches against their national champions or ‘A’ team.
Furthermore, Gavaskar recommends scheduling additional games between Tests to provide reserve players and those struggling for form an opportunity to showcase their skills. He emphasizes the importance of prioritizing the best interests of Indian cricket over individual preferences.
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“The time to give in to what the seniors want is gone, for there have been no positive results. It’s time to simply think of the best for Indian cricket and not what suits a few individuals, however great they may be,” concludes Sunil Gavaskar.
