Wednesday 14 / May / 2025
Team India and Virat Kohli have big Challenges coming up!
India’s much awaited Test series against England after the World Test Championship finals begins on 4th August and India finally do get a practice game before the test series begins which is seen as the final frontier for team India after their series win in Australia (obviously this was said before India lost the test Championship finals).
India's last three test series in England have been dismal with 4-0 whitewash in 2011, 3-1 loss in 2014 and 4-1 loss in 2018.
Their last test series win came way back in 2007 under Rahul Dravid’s captaincy and this is an acid test which Virat and Team India has to pass. Playing in English conditions is totally different compared to the bouncy Australian tracks as the Dukes ball swings even after 50 overs and moreover the overcast conditions also has a big say in how the day or the session pans out.
India will play five Test matches in a span of 45 days which is going to take a toll specially on the fast bowlers like Bumrah, Shami, Siraj and Ishant who will be in the playing eleven unless India play two spinners Ashwin and Jadeja which depends on the conditions.
Moreover batsman like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Rishabh Pant will also be part of this important series as India would like to play their best batsman for this all important series.
The point which I am trying to come is that out of seven players mentioned above, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Siraj will also be playing a major part for their respective franchises as well as might be in the thick of scheme when the T20 World selection happens which is just after the IPL gets over.
The IPL begins on 19th September which is five days after India finishes their last test match in England which is 14th September and they will then fly down to the UAE to play the remaining 31 suspended games of the IPL.
Now, immediately after the IPL which gets over on 10th of October, the T20 World Cup begins on 17th October. The super 12 matches start on 24th October in the UAE so Indian players will get a break of maximum 13 days before the super 12 games begin in the UAE. Now how does Virat Kohli and Team India manage the three months of strenuous cricket?
The England series, the IPL and then the T20 World Cup, none of which Virat Kohli has won. How does he manage the workload of his six main players, Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj and he himself who will play a major role in the all three of them. Which series does he give priority? We all know the fitness level of Virat Kohli and that he is the best in the world but will the rest of the players cope with it. Your guess is as good as mine.
