The Indian cricket team has bounced back from recent setbacks with a resounding 3-0 ODI series sweep Overhauling England and silencing their critics just prior to the Champions Trophy was quite a morale booster. This win was redemptive following the crushing Test series loss in Australia. The very pressure thrust upon the shoulders of key players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli seemed to have been a driving force for them, perhaps hinting that India is ready to regain its place in world cricket.
Rohit and Kohli Deliver When It Matters
If it wasn’t enough to demonstrate the revamped ODI squad’s newfound chase-batting flair after the T20I series, this latest series reinforced that the older brigade still could bear the burden when the pressure was on. The recent not-so-good outings of India included the Test match series loss in Australia-all eyes were on Rohit and Virat, whose form was seriously doubted. Both of them turned things around, with players delivering match-winning performances when it mattered the most.
Rohit Sharma stamped authority in the second ODI played at Cuttack with a truly masterful innings-the innings just that silenced the critics. Kohli, immediately after his century in the Test series, turned for a vital knock. It was not a knock that resembled Kohli, but nonetheless an anchoring innings, as India needed to recover after Rohit’s early dismissal. He had been through a few nervy moments-a close LBW call and the near-run-out-but had held himself together. His ability to score runs again became very vital for India’s cause, and with his confidence back, Kohli’s presence in the middle order will be key heading into the Champions Trophy.
All this translates into his ridiculously amazing ODI records: 13963 runs, 50 hundreds, and an average of 57.93. True, he has been not in such great form, but this innings must have taken a load off him. Especially with the way Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer are playing, the light has certainly become brighter on Rohit and Kohli going into the Champions Trophy.
Shubman Gill Shines
As always, the last one was Shubman Gill shining like a comet, with a brilliant century leading India to the edge of complete domination. A tremendous 112 runs, coming off 102-ball shots, put India at a formidable 356. With the last match, he concluded a tremendous series in which he secured 259 runs in three matches with scores of 87 and 60. This has brought about the seventh of his ODIs so far, and what better response could it be to happen after having faced such a top order for India? And that kept him going in the series and became a significant factor in making India triumph.
Gill, familiar with playing conditions after having spent time with the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League, saw through the early tough conditions. With a solid 116-run partnership with Kohli, he laid a strong base for India’s innings and further established his position as an important cog for India during the upcoming Champions Trophy with maturity at the crease.
Indian Bowlers Gain Immense Experience
With bat and ball having taken the headlines, India’s bowlers have also had the opportunity to collect some good learning experiences, especially concerning the dew scenario. These are more than likely the climatic conditions in Dubai during the Champions Trophy matches, thus making the series very useful for learning purposes. That was the gist of what Rohit Sharma said about his team as he viewed their overall efforts with satisfaction and complimented and put into perspective on consistency and communication for success. He also went ahead to point out that problems would be problems, though the team was well ready to handle them.
Apart from leg-spinner Adil Rashid, who took four wickets for England, other bowlers also stood firm. The Indian bowlers put pressure, and this ability to use their skills in extreme conditions will surely boost their confidence leading up to the Champions Trophy.
A Statement before Champions Trophy
With India completing a clean sweep against England in white-ball matches, many questions have been answered after a torrid phase where results in the series were far from satisfactory. The back-to-back ODI series defeat to Sri Lanka, a home Test defeat against New Zealand, and the five-Test massacre in Australia had all been questioning the Indians. To add fuel to the fire, the poor form of their two stalwarts, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, cast serious doubts, and even the new coach, Gautam Gambhir, found himself under pressure.
Now India has turned the tables with a 3-0 hammering of England, thus silencing all critics and asserting their confidence. Key players are back in form at the right time, and with momentum and belief, they are headed for the UAE for the Champions Trophy. The redemption is done, and India is now ready to take on the world.
