India vs Australia: “Our young cricketers are weekend warriors” – Greg Chappell points out differences between Indian and Australian domestic circuits


India vs Australia: “Our young cricketers are weekend warriors” – Greg Chappell points out differences between Indian and Australian domestic circuits
The victorious Indian team

India defied all odds to secure a famous Test series win against Australia in Australia. After looking like they were down and out following the shocking collapse and loss in the first Test, the side showed remarkable grit and determination to bounce back and win the series 2-1. There were a plethora of injuries that the Indian players suffered as well but the depth on the bench and talent of players who have never played international cricket before, helped them weather each challenge.

ADVERTISEMENT

Former Australian cricketer Greg Chappell wrote in a column for Sydney Morning Herald about the difference in the domestic circuit of India and Australia and pointed out as to why India has terrific depth and a lot of options to choose from.

“Our young cricketers are weekend warriors compared to their Indian compatriots, who get challenging matchplay from the Under-16 age group onwards. By the time an Indian player reaches the national XI, he has had an all-round apprenticeship that prepares him to walk into the Indian side with a reasonable chance of success. I am afraid, in comparison, Will Pucovski and Cameron Green are still in primary school in terms of experience,” he wrote.

“The BCCI is investing millions of dollars in budding Indian cricketers. Cricket Australia, by comparison, spends $44m dollars on the Sheffield Shield. The comparative spending gap isn’t a gulf; it is the size of the Indian Ocean,” he added.

ADVERTISEMENT

‘Indian youth have surprising degree of maturity’

Greg Chappell

Greg Chappell further lamented about Cricket Australia’s ignorance and wrote, “If Cricket Australia doesn’t realise what it takes to be competitive in Test cricket and our entire cricket administration does not change its attitude on where to invest in talent, we will be also-rans in no time. Their ability to deal with pressure has been cultivated in the cauldron of hard-fought matches. That level of intensity cannot be replicated in nets or against lesser opponents. The fact that India has 38 first-class teams should give you an idea of the depth of talent available.”

“What one sees when watching Indian youth and A teams is the surprising degree of maturity and an intuitive understanding of all aspects of the game. It is as rare as it is stark. So much so that one can be forgiven for thinking a team of men is playing a group of schoolboys,” he added.

Chappell then gave India huge praise by saying that the question shouldn’t be if India is the best team in the world but that they could be capable of producing ‘the best five teams in world cricket’.

India will face England next at home with the first Test scheduled to being on February 5.

ADVERTISEMENT

Also Read: “Virat Kohli is a mediocre captain” – Bishan Singh Bedi says Ajinkya Rahane should take over captaincy