Looks like Indian cricket is gearing up for new challenges. It has been just a week since Anil Kumble was appointed head coach of the Indian team and things have picked up pace with relation to how matters should move forward. On the sidelines of the conditioning camp in Bengaluru, on Sunday Test captain Virat Kohli and limited overs skipper MS Dhoni sat for a lengthy meeting with new head coach Anil Kumble and India-A coach Rahul Dravid to chalk out a blueprint for Indian cricket for near future.
The meeting, said to be highly important, was also attended by chief national selector Sandeep Patil, GM (Cricket Operations) MV Sridhar, NCA batting coach WV Raman and spin bowling coach Narendra Hirwani along with physio Andrew Leipus. Sources close to Indian cricket board saying that from now on the emphasis will be more on creating cohesion between the ‘A’ teams and the senior teams.
During the meeting, Dhoni was asked to give his inputs about what his assessment is regarding the bench-strength of the team as he captained a squad comprising mostly A team players.
The focus also will be on a smooth transition from first-class to ‘A’ level and then to the senior teams. According to some reports, there were discussions on creating a pool of fast bowlers who could be rotated considering a long and busy season ahead.
Leipus’ inputs were quite significant as his role will be vital in injury management of the fast bowlers. Right now there seems to be a dearth of quality spinners with no competition for Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravi Jadeja, and Amit Mishra.
While Jayant Yadav, Axar Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal and Shahbaz Nadeem are there in the wings, a lot will depend on the feedback that A team coach Dravid will give. As the ‘A’ team is travelling to Australia in August, it will be an important tour for the team management and especially Test captain Kohli and coach Kumble to sort out who can become likely replacements for first team players if there is injury or loss of form in the upcoming season.
For spin coach Narendra Hirwani, it will be his duty to make sure that the spinners coming for NCA camps have clean action before they are selected by Dravid at the U-19 national team level. Raman, the NCA batting coach, will be coordinating more with Rahul Dravid, who is also the national U-19 coach.
The important meeting took place following the Indian team’s match simulation session where all the members had to wear customary whites in the match-like situation.