When Virat Kohli threw his hands at a wide one and was caught by a diving Steve Smith at second slip in the World Test Championship final at the Oval, it felt like this was the end. Yes, of India’s chances of winning the match, because Kohli had added just five to his overnight 44, but more broadly of an era.
Cheteshwar Pujara is 35 years and 139 days old, sports no tattoos, is not part of the Indian Premier League and is probably best suited to playing for Sussex in Division 2 of the County Championship where he plunders runs for fun. He is an India legend, but for him, honestly speaking, this is the end.
He was dropped and he came back off what he did with the bat, but that cannot happen again.
Ajinkya Rahane is 35 years and 7 days old. In the recent season of the IPL, he switched on beast mode. Empowered by Mahendra Singh Dhoni and unleashed by the Chennai Super Kings, the pussycat roared like a tiger at a strike rate of 172.48. Back in the Indian Test team (not only because of IPL but on the basis of runs in the Ranji Trophy), he delivered, scoring a gutsy 89 and 46 in the WTC final.
Rahane is loved and what he has done for India in his 83 Tests is remarkable, but for him, also, beautiful friend, this is the end.Rohit Sharma, the leader of the ship, is 36 years and 44 days old. He may have two years of Test cricket left in him, but it may not be his best years. In the first innings, Rohit got a ball that was difficult but in the second he made a simple error of judgment, playing a stroke that was uncalled for. He paid a price, but so did India, In the recent past, Rohit has been the best Indian bat, with an average in excess of 43 since December 2019, when nobody else even gets to 30.But, if you are really looking forward to the WTC final in 2025, is Rohit the man for the job?
Virat Kohli, the alpha in this batting group, is 34 years and 22 days old. He is probably the fittest man in Indian cricket, but his batting has been in decline for a time now. Since December 2019, Kohli averages only 29 with the bat. And he plays at No. 4, the Tendulkar spot, the one given to the best bat in the team.
Kohli will be fit enough to stay in the team, but does he score enough runs to justify his position?
When you come to the bowling it becomes even more tricky.
Mohammad Shami is 32 years and 283 days old, which is a lot for a fast bowler. While he is skilful and currently the leader of this attack, expecting him to plough on for two more years may be a bridge too far.
Then you come to the spin twins who have shouldered this Indian team in the last few years, with ball and bat.
R Ashwin is 36 years and 269 days old. He was not in the eleven for the WTC final despite being the No.1 ranked bowler in the ICC tables. As an offie, he might have it in him to play for two more years, stretching himself and managing his workload, but will India use him at the right times?
If you don’t play your best bowler in the WTC final, you’re sending him a clear message, however sanguine he is with it.
Ravindra Jadeja is 34 years and 189 days old. He is the mainstay of India’s Test team, a left-hand batter who has disrupted much and a spinner who gives captains control. But, as strong as he is, his shoulder and fingers will need relief at some point.
Where is India in terms of looking at the future?
Nowhere. The Board of Control for Cricket in India has not found it necessary to appoint a chairman of selectors for months. A 50-over World Cup is upon us, at home, and no questions are being asked of a coaching set-up, led by Rahul Dravid, despite repeated failures. There is no blueprint, there is no way forward.
As the song suggests, this may be the beginning of the end for Test cricket, even if it is not beautiful or a friend.
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