On the eve of the fifth Test at Dharamsala, the sound of Rajat Patidar’s bat repeatedly hitting the new ball, thrown in tandem by Akash Deep and Mukesh Kumar, reverberated across the nets. Rahul Dravid observed the right-hander as he got behind the ball line and appeared at ease for the most part of the Wednesday, March 6 optional session. In spite of six lacklustre performances, Patidar has gotten public support from his skipper, even outside of the balls faced and conversations with batting coach Vikram Rathour.
On March 6, Rohit Sharma stated, “Patidar hasn’t scored as many runs as he would like to or that we would have liked to, but the guy definitely has a lot of ability.” I’ve watched him play some excellent cricket. He is a player with skill. “I label someone as a ‘talent player’ if I observe them hitting well.”
We must allow Patidar more time to fully establish his worth as a Test cricket player because he is still relatively fresh to the format. He’s amassed a significant run total in domestic cricket. He’s missed a few opportunities here, but that’s what happens when you’re just starting out in your job and are anxious and trying to think of everything at once. At that point, in my opinion, the team needs to support the player and ensure that he is not under any internal pressure.”
The fact that India has made four debuts in the series may go unnoticed in the narrative of their dominant position heading into the Dharamsala game. This support for Patidar during a period when India could easily replace him with a fifth player, Devdutt Padikkal, is consistent with Rohit’s approach to leadership since assuming the role little over two years ago.
“These youngsters were chosen according to their skill and aptitude in the game. They are proficient in playing the flick, cover drive, and bat hold. They are skilled in bowling as well. It’s crucial to take care of them once they arrive because in international cricket, you learn which weapon to deploy in what circumstance. Your game is ready when you arrive. However, you come here and expand upon it, and we play a part in that process as well. We must instruct kids on how to respond in various circumstances. They won’t get it unless they’re in such circumstances,” Rohit remarked.
“Up until now, our approach has worked well. However, we must anticipate mistakes in the future and not overreact to them. It is crucial, in my opinion, to help children realise that these things are common and that they do occur. It has been done by everybody. We have frequently given up control of circumstances in which we should have taken charge.
“Winning the series has been rewarding, especially for this set of youngsters who haven’t experienced pressure like this before. Test cricket is completely different from international cricket in terms of demand. Many players have proven to be adept at handling pressure, stabilising the squad and propelling it forward. If you look at the Last Test, which took place between Day 1 and Day 4, you will find several instances of our successful comebacks, Rohit said.
For the series, “comeback” has become India’s catchphrase. at the opening series match at Hyderabad, India was knocked from their throne after leading by 190 runs in the first innings. Since then, India has amassed a 3-1 series lead by hitting harder than the best counterpunchers in Test cricket and seizing more sessions from disadvantageous situations.
“The manner we prevailed matters to me since we frequently fell behind in the game and overcame it. Even though we won the test in Hyderabad, we lost it. The Vizag Test resulted in a tie. We scored a lot of runs in Rajkot, but they batted back, so it was crucial for us to recover, which we accomplished. As a result, we won on days three and four after they played excellent cricket, according to Rohit.
“In essence, the series has been a series of comebacks, and we have produced strong comebacks. On Day 3, even though we fell behind on Day 2, we made up ground. From behind in one session to leading the next, we have recovered. You must therefore have noticed that we have taken pressure and applied it back to the opponents throughout the series.”
In terms of his captaincy, Rohit has gained unparalleled experience from the 42-day series, and counting. He made the lighthearted jest that has become synonymous with his press briefings, “Though I haven’t studied much in school, I am studying a lot here,” before going into detail about what it has actually been like.
“As a captain, I have learned a tremendous deal from this series. Our path was paved with many obstacles from the very first Test. This was most likely the series when, as a captain, I learned a lot about making the most of the guys you had and maximising their potential. In specific gaming circumstances, how do you react when the pressure comes back on you? Being a part of that series was fantastic, and it helped me see my shortcomings as a captain and what I need to improve on. A great deal was learned.”
Tie-dying for the milestone guy
While Ashwin downplayed the importance of his historic 100th Test, Rohit was in no such mood. “Playing 100 Tests is a significant accomplishment for any player. It’s a significant accomplishment. For us, Ashwin is a major match-winner. Whatever he has done for the team over the years, Rohit added, “any praise is less because if you look at his performances in the last 5-7 years, he has contributed big in every series.” This revealed why Ashwin, who has amassed over 500 wickets in Test cricket, has been as successful as he has been.
“A lot of off-field activities and bowling practice contribute to what you see on the pitch. Before a match, usually an hour and forty-five minutes beforehand, I have witnessed him bowling with only one stump. He has been going through a phase, as I have seen him bowl at one stump on a regular basis.
In addition, Rohit disclosed that Ashwin had requested to return to Rajkot right away following his brief leave of absence to see his mother, who was ailing, during that match.
“His ability to work well in a team is his greatest asset. When things became tough for him during the Rajkot Test, he phoned and said, “I want to come back and do something for the team.” You don’t often see players like these, so when you do, you should be proud of them.”
