The Indian cricket team
selected for the one off T-20 and 5 ODI’s tour starting from June 4 is a depleted side without many senior players. Some are not playing as they are rested and many others due to injuries. Senior players such as world cup winning captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, master blaster Sachin Tendulkar and ace seamer Zaheer Khan have been rested for the upcoming series. Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, Ashish Nehra and Yuvraj Singh are not a part of the touring team due to injuries.
A three-match -rubber is scheduled post the ODI’s and senior players including Dhoni and Tendulkar are expected to join the team then. The Test Series begins on June 20 and will be played in Jamaica.
In absence of star players the Indian team is being led by young gun Suresh Raina. It’s definitely going to be challenging tour for both Raina and Fletcher. Indian team have a lot at stake, they have to avenge the whipping they received from West Indies in ODI’s during their last tour in 2006. For the record India lost the ODI’s series 1-4 during their last tour to West Indies. Only saving grace was the 1-0 victory in the four match test series under Rahul Dravid’s captaincy.
Duncan Fletcher the new coach of Indian Cricket Team
Duncan Fletcher has a huge challenge on his shoulders. This tour will be his first assignment after being appointed the coach of India’s cricket team. He may not have fond memories of having toured West Indies as head coach of England team four years back. England had then failed to progress beyond Super 8 level and this led to unceremonious exit of Fletcher from the top job.
Duncan Fletcher’s report card as Coach of England cricket team;
England played 175 ODIs and won 75 with a winning percentage of 47.47
England played 96 Tests and won 42 with a winning percentage of 43.75
Biggest achievement: England won Ashes in 2005. England won the 5-Test series 2–1 against Australia on home turf. England succeeded in their attempt to win the urn for the first time since 1987.
After 4 years Fletcher again has a chance to change fortunes and avenge the disappointment which he had faced in West Indies. This time around he will be travelling with a young Indian team which lacks the experience. The much criticized Indian Premier League seems to have taken toll on the Indian cricket team.
All said and done this tour holds lot of importance to Indian team. Considering it’s their maiden tour after being crowned the champions, having won the cricket world cup 2011.
