KL Rahul | Batting Depth | Bangladesh | Galle
No Cricket Team has more Multi-Format Batting Talent than India. That said, India’s continued decision to play KL Rahul over more dynamic and potentially consistent options remains confounding. If India didn’t have these resources, it would make complete sense to continue to support someone like KL Rahul. But with the resources in hand, backing a player with a Test Average of 34.08 across 50 Test Matches is difficult to justify.
While there isn’t much wrong with Indian Cricket, I was confounded by India’s decision to bat Rishabh Pant at no. 5. It isn’t uncommon to see a Wicketkeeper Batsman Bat in the No. 6 Position. But Batting at No. 5 is a different animal. One, it requires more anchoring. Two, it’s going to put more pressure on Pant’s body keeping in mind he’s coming off of a potentially career threatening injury. Three, Pant also carries a little extra weight. Keeping in mind how important Pant is to India across formats, I am surprised at the decision to put extra stress on his body.
Batting Depth
Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin’s 195 Run Partnership from the No. 7 and 8 Positions respectively are a good reminder of the importance of Batting Depth. Batting Depth is far more nuanced than sticking a Specialist Batsman at No. 7 or 8. Batting Depth requires proper evaluation of the All Rounder Position. In Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin, India have the perfect players for Asian Conditions.
Bangladesh Takes Another Step Forward
In Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, and Shakib al Hasan, Bangladesh have developed a Strong and Diverse Attack that gives them an opportunity to be competitive in Test Cricket. While the Final Score is disappointing, Bangladesh had India on the mat. In my opinion it’s another step forward for Bangladesh Cricket after they embarrassed Pakistan in Rawalpindi.
Galle
Every time I tune into to watch a Test Match being staged in Galle, I am reminded of how Cricket Dismisses It’s History and Fails to highlight important characters. The City of Galle and the Stadium is an important character that deserves far more attention than it actually gets. In particular, it’s the responsibility of the Home Board and the Home Broadcaster to highlight the salient characteristics of the City, the Stadium, the History, and the Culture associated with these Old Structures.