Is it wrong to play international games without a few top-tier players?

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Come to think of it, India losing to Zimbabwe is nothing short of an embarrassment. Until Saturday afternoon, the whole country was still basking in the glory of winning the T20 World Cup, but a 13-run loss woke India up again. This is a game that doesn’t allow you to dwell on past achievements. Even a senior Parliamentarian and avid cricket fan, Dr. Shashi Tharoor, was taken aback by the loss to Zimbabwe. He couldn’t understand the semblance of fielding a team without some of the top players when the name India is used after such a big win in the West Indies.

“My argument was that if a team is called INDIA, it needs to be worthy of the label. This was at best India A. If SKY, Pant, Hardik, Kuldeep, Siraj, Bumrah, and Arshdeep were all unavailable, the tour should have been postponed. At least half of them should have been there to justify the International status,” Tharoor told CricBlogger minutes after India’s loss to Zimbabwe.

This sentiment resonates with many fans who feel that representing the country at the international level demands the presence of top-tier players. The decision to send a largely inexperienced squad, despite the recent World Cup triumph, has drawn criticism. The loss serves as a stark reminder that cricket is an ever-demanding sport where one must consistently perform at the highest level, irrespective of past accolades.

“So even while the echoes of the wild celebrations at Mumbai for India’s T20 World Cup win have not died down, we have been beaten by minnows Zimbabwe today in Harare. It’s just what BCCI deserved for taking things for granted. Whether on June 4 or on July 6, arrogance has been brought down a notch. Well played, Zimbabwe!” Tharoor tweeted on X.

This defeat, while embarrassing, serves as a reminder that a young team under Shubman Gill is not yet ready for the big stage. Despite seeing their seniors make history in the West Indies, the youngsters couldn’t find the motivation to replicate that success. It is ridiculously frustrating to see India give up without a fight. It also appears clear that none of these players are ready to fill the shoes of big guns like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.

Even those who advocated for Abhishek Sharma and Ruturaj Gaekwad, who are big stars in the IPL, to play in the World Cup instead of Rohit and Kohli should eat their own humble pie. This loss underscores the vast difference between performing in the IPL and delivering at the international level, highlighting the necessity for experience and composure under pressure.

The blame for this defeat can be shared between the BCCI and the players. The BCCI’s decision to send a largely inexperienced team to face Zimbabwe, while the senior players were involved in celebrations, raises questions about their strategic planning and priorities. Aditya Verma’s point about the need for responsibility and accountability within the BCCI is valid. Perhaps the celebrations could have waited, and a few senior players could have participated in the series to ensure a stronger performance.

On the players’ side, it is clear that they did not rise to the occasion. Despite their IPL success, they struggled to handle the pressure and expectations at the international level. The lack of fight and composure in a relatively straightforward chase against Zimbabwe was disappointing. This loss will undoubtedly leave the young players feeling horrible and frustrated, as it is not just any team but India, the world champions, who were defeated. The defeat underscores the gap between domestic success and international readiness, highlighting the need for better preparation and mental toughness.