Former Indian cricketer Krishnamachari Srikkanth believes that the Rohit Sharma-led team should have concentrated on important bilateral series against elite teams in the run-up to the recently concluded Men's T20 World Cup in Australia and could have included more players who would have been effective in Australian conditions.
India qualified for the semifinals of the Men's T20 World Cup by finishing first in Group 2. However, their attempt to end a nine-year trophy drought was put to an abrupt end when they were defeated by eventual champions England by a score of 10-wickets in the semifinal at Adelaide Oval.
"I have no idea why they did not act in accordance with their words. I'll put it this way as a selector or the chairman of the selection committee: "Don't take it seriously; series like West Indies and Ireland aren't something you take too seriously because these sides are a little bit weak." Despite the fact that Ian Bishop, who once broke my hand, is a fan of West Indies and I am not, that is a completely unrelated issue "said Srikkanth on the Star Sports programme "Match Point."
Aside from pushing Australia and New Zealand close in the Super 12s, Ireland was the only team in the tournament to defeat England in a famous five-run win at the MCG and caused major upsets by defeating the two-time champions West Indies in a decisive first-round match at Hobart.
"But you don't take those shows seriously; instead, you concentrate on the ones that have a big impact. You also need to be aware that you are playing in Australia, therefore who are the best players for these conditions? They all made the error of taking the India vs. Ireland series seriously, which was their mistake. Yes, a terrific bilateral series between India and England. However, choose players who are in good shape and don't take countries like Ireland seriously "Srikkanth, who once presided over the senior men's selection committee, noted.
Ian Bishop, a former West Indies bowler, responded to Srikkanth's remarks by describing how a bilateral series differs from tournaments like the T20 World Cup in terms of the degree of effort required of teams to compete. It's deeper than that, in my opinion. Everyone will agree that there is a certain level of intensity when playing bilateral cricket, but when it comes to the World Cup, there is a higher level of intensity and responsibility.
"According to a wonderful book, if you walk into the England locker room during a bilateral series, you'll see that the players appear to be having a good time. Going into the same locker room during a world cup requires a new level of energy and focus because everyone is on edge."
"Additionally, I believe that playing South Africa or England in a bilateral series prior to the World Cup is different from playing them during the World Cup. And I believe that mindset needs to shift. Cricket World Cup, we must somehow possess the mental fortitude to demonstrate that same freedom."