by Rex Clementine

Last month, it seemed all but certain that India would be booking their tickets to the World Test Championship final at Lord’s next June. But after a crushing 3-0 whitewash on home soil, India’s hopes are now hanging by a thread. They’re staring down a steep mountain, needing four wins in Australia just to keep their campaign alive. It’s fair to say that India have cooked their goose – even a 3-2 series victory down under won’t be enough to salvage the situation. But how did it come to this against New Zealand? India, a team with a proud 90-year history in Test cricket, has never been swept in a home series – until now.

New Zealand landed in Bangalore fresh from a 2-0 drubbing in Sri Lanka, missing their talisman Kane Williamson due to injury. Their captain, Tim Southee, had even stepped down following the Sri Lankan debacle, handing the reins to Tom Latham. To say they were down in the dumps would be an understatement.

India seemed to have underestimated the Kiwis. A deadly thing to do in sports. When relentless rain had soaked Bangalore’s pitch into a seamer’s paradise, India’s decision to bat first raised a few eyebrows. Their batters looked like sitting ducks against Matt Henry and William O’Rourke, who shared nine wickets and skittled India for a meager 46. New Zealand took a 1-0 lead, prompting India to prepare spinning tracks for the Pune and Bombay Tests.

In hindsight, that move was akin to digging their own grave. India’s batsmen had recently struggled on Sri Lanka’s turning pitches, so opting for spin-friendly tracks was a gamble they weren’t equipped to handle.

You’d expect India, a team reared on subcontinent surfaces, to be comfortable on turning tracks. But modern cricket’s obsession with T20s on flat decks has seen players lose touch with the finer nuances of batting on slow turners. Gone are the soft hands, nimble footwork, and deft use of the crease that once defined Indian batsmanship. In their place, we see rushed shots and over-eager sweeps that betray a lack of comfort and confidence. During the second and third Tests, these crucial skills were nowhere to be seen.

Virat Kohli, one of the modern-day greats, managed just a solitary half-century while recording four single-digit scores. The Kohli we once knew, with an average sitting comfortably in the mid-50s, has declined sharply, now down to 47. He turns 36 today, and this series may well mark the beginning of the end. Even his journey to the hallowed 10,000-run mark in Tests is now under question. Kohli’s dismissals were emblematic of India’s broader issues – bowled by a Mitchell Santner full toss in Pune, then run out in Bombay attempting a suicidal single just two overs before stumps. Such lapses in concentration are unheard of from a player with Kohli’s meticulous attention to detail.

Rohit Sharma, too, managed just one half-century, and at 37, he may be bowing out alongside Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin. The golden era of Indian cricket could be drawing to a close, sooner than anyone expected.

Technically, the skill gap against spin was glaring. With key players missing from the Ranji Trophy, a crucial breeding ground for temperament in red-ball cricket, India’s batsmen have been left underprepared for the demands of Test match spin. There’s also a certain air of arrogance in Indian cricket these days, and it’s more visible than ever. That’s why figures like Rahul Dravid or VVS Laxman, players who embodied humility and focus, are so important to keep the team grounded.

With Dravid as Head Coach, India’s planning was meticulous – the kind that prevents embarrassing losses. But under new coach Gautam Gambhir, the cracks have shown. A first series loss to Sri Lanka in 27 years, followed by a maiden home whitewash against New Zealand, speaks volumes.

Consider India’s approach when they desperately needed to avoid a whitewash. Yashasvi Jaiswal, trying a reverse sweep in the penultimate over of the day, was bowled. Then, Mohammed Siraj was sent in as a nightwatchman, ahead of capable batters like Ashwin, Jadeja, and even Washington Sundar. Siraj was cleaned up first ball, burning a review in the process. What followed was chaos – Kohli walked in under the gun and was promptly run out. In five minutes of mayhem, India unraveled, a seasoned side behaving like novices.

The arrogance here is striking. It’s like watching a boxer drop his guard too soon, taunting his opponent only to get knocked out by a left hook. Arrogance in sports can be like that – it lures you into a false sense of security, then blindsides you at the worst possible moment. India’s refusal to play conservatively when the situation demanded it was akin to throwing caution to the wind – and they paid dearly.

India must confront these issues head-on. A grueling tour of Australia looms on the horizon, and if they don’t shore up their defenses, they’re in for more heartache. The clock is ticking, and for a team accustomed to dominating, the hardest lesson of all might be learning to respect the basics again.

The Sri Lanka national netball team, sponsored by Dialog Axiata PLC, received a warm welcome at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) following their impressive performance at the 2024 Asian Netball Championship, held in Bengaluru.

Although the Sri Lankan team was widely expected to secure the title once again, they narrowly missed out, losing 64-67 to Singapore in a closely contested final. This victory marked Singapore’s first championship win in a decade, while Sri Lanka had to settle for the runner-up position, having been the undisputed champions since 2018. They successfully defended their title four years later in 2022 and were the dominant force in this year’s tournament, although they fell short by a slender margin of three points. Despite not winning the title, the Sri Lankans displayed remarkable talent and determination throughout the tournament. The sixth-time winner’s journey to the final this year showcased their skill and fighting spirit, with the team putting up a strong challenge.

Dialog has been a steadfast supporter of Sri Lankan netball since 2018. The company’s sponsorship has played a key role in empowering the team, aligning with its dedication to promoting women’s sports and fostering national pride. Dialog’s involvement with the team reflects its broader commitment to nurturing a more inclusive sports culture in Sri Lanka, where gender equality and opportunities for women in sport are championed.

Ashani Senaratne, Assistant Vice President – Group Marketing at Dialog Axiata PLC, expressed pride in the team’s achievements at the championship. She commented, “We are immensely proud of the Sri Lanka National Netball Team’s achievements at the Asian Netball Championship 2024. Their runner-up finish is a testament to their hard work, passion, and the unyielding support from fans across the nation. Dialog remains committed to empowering women and advancing diversity and inclusivity in sport, and our partnership with the National Netball Team reflects these core values. We will continue to support the team’s journey to achieve greater heights”.

In addition to supporting netball, Dialog sponsors several other national sports, including cricket, volleyball, and esports. The company is also the main sponsor of the Sri Lanka Golf Open. Moreover, Dialog promotes diversity, equity, and inclusiveness through its partnerships with organisations like the National Paralympic Committee, which enables Sri Lankan athletes to compete both nationally and internationally. Dialog also invests in developing future champions by supporting events such as the President’s Gold Cup Volleyball, national junior and senior netball tournaments, and school rugby.

The 31st Sri Lanka Schools Netball Championship commenced at the Uyanwatte Stadium, Matara yesterday. Organized by the Sri Lanka Schools Netball Association under the guidance of the Ministry of Education and sponsored by Nestle Milo, the championship will take place from November 4 to 6 gathering a participation of over 4,000 young netball players across the country.

The championship is played in two divisions (A & B division) covering four varying age groups, including Under 13, Under 15, Under 17 and Under 19 age groups.