Author- Sanket Shivansh Srivastava.
Image Credit- The Week.
The evolution of Indian Test cricket's approach is best reflected in the stark contrast between the Dominica 2011 and Kanpur 2024 matches. In Dominica, India needed 180 runs from 47 overs with 7 wickets in hand, but chose to settle for a draw after 32 overs, even with a manageable target of 85 runs in 15 overs. This cautious mindset, prevalent at the time, prioritized safety over risk.
Fast forward to 2024, at the Green Park Stadium, where 2.5 days of play was washed out, making a draw the likely outcome. Yet, India pushed aggressively for victory, securing a remarkable 7-wicket win. This bold approach, focusing on forcing results rather than settling for draws, demonstrates the significant change in the team’s mindset.
The transformation, I believe, began in Adelaide in 2014, when India was chasing a daunting fourth-innings target of 364 against Australia. Though they narrowly lost( all thanks to Lyon's Heroics ), the intent to win rather than settle for a draw marked the beginning of a new era. Under Virat Kohli’s leadership, India embraced aggression, fitness, and belief, building a team willing to take risks and play to win.
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