Vengsarkar blamed poor preparation for India's WTC final loss to New Zealand.
Former India captain and selector Dilip Vengsarkar has reacted to India’s World Test Championship (WTC) loss to New Zealand, saying Virat Kohli and his team “did extremely well over this cycle”, but lost the WTC 2021 Final just because of their poor preparation.
New Zealand defeated India by 8 wickets in the WTC 2021 Final to win the ICC Test Championship Mace at The Ageas Bowl, Southampton earlier this week in England. Notably, the Indian cricket team got to play only one intra-squad game before the WTC Final due to the quarantine restrictions, while New Zealand played two Tests in England and Vengsarkar said “poor preparation” cost India the Mace.
Vengsarkar told Press Trust of India, “I enjoyed watching Test cricket over this cycle. India did extremely well over this cycle but what cost them in the final was their poor preparation. They went into such a game without any practice games. New Zealand on the other hand were match fit having already played two games (against England).”
After the conclusion of the WTC Final, Team India has a six-week break due to travel restrictions and COVID-19 protocols before the five-match Test series against England beginning in Nottingham from August 4, and Vengsarkar was amazed by the itinerary.
He added, “I don’t know how we approach this kind of an itinerary. Where you go for a holiday in between and then come back to play Test matches. One week break was enough post the WTC final. The thing is you need to play continuously. I am amazed this itinerary was approved.”
Speaking about Kohli’s comment on the lack of intent shown by the players in Southampton, the former India skipper said, “If he is talking about intent, then why didn’t the team prepare properly for this match? Where was the intent then? They should have played at least two four-day games.”
He continued, “You want to know whether the players are match fit or not by playing those games. The fast bowlers will know what lengths to hit straightway only in those practice games.”
Vengsarkar said India announced the best available playing eleven for the WTC 2021 Final. He added, “You see, we had beaten Australia with a similar combination more or less. It was the best team they picked under the circumstances. Whether you announce it on the day of the game or the day before it doesn’t make much difference. You have an idea about the conditions anyway.”
However, he felt Team India lacked a fast-bowling all-rounder in the eleven for the WTC Final against New Zealand. Vengsarkar added, “With Hardik Pandya not fit enough to bowl regularly in the format, the selectors ignored him for the UK tour. If he is not available then you think about somebody who is available. In cricket, nobody is indispensable.”
India hasn’t won an ICC trophy under Kohli’s leadership and Vengsarkar said it remains a mystery for him. He continued, “To be honest, beating Australia earlier this year was a great achievement. I give a lot of importance to such wins. This WTC they just started, I don’t know how long they would continue with it. I feel if you play in countries like England, you should play best of three games to know where the team stands.”
Vengsarkar said, “Because after this Test if we have had two more games, the outcome of the final could have been different with India having already played a game. I don’t know why they are not able to (win an ICC title). They have the combination and the players do it.”
On the split captaincy debate, the 65-year-old said, “If Virat is good enough to play in all formats which he very much is, than he should continue leading the side. He should only be replaced if he doesn’t merit a place in the side.”
He concluded, “ODI captain playing under Test captain and vice versa, I don't believe in that. If Joe Root is playing under Morgan in ODIs, I don’t agree with that because he is also good enough to lead that side.”
(With PTI Inputs)