The cricketing action in the Caribbean has seen the visitors firmly take the driver’s seat. By the time stumps were drawn on the third day of the first Test, South Africa had established a commanding position over the West Indies. The hosts, currently languishing at 145 for 4, find themselves staring at a daunting deficit of 212 runs compared to the Proteas’ first-innings total. It was a day where the balance of power shifted decisively, largely due to the brilliance of spin bowling which left the Windies batters searching for answers on their own turf.
Maharaj’s Marathon Effort
The hero of the day was undoubtedly Keshav Maharaj. Capitalising on a pitch that offered assistance due to earlier moisture, the spinner delivered a marathon spell of 28 overs that dismantled the opposition’s resistance. Play had been halted for 90 minutes on Friday due to rain, and upon resumption, the damp surface proved to be a minefield for the batsmen. Maharaj exploited these conditions perfectly, claiming three crucial wickets and ensuring that the West Indies remained under immense pressure. The hosts struggled to keep the scoreboard ticking, and with the pitch likely to deteriorate further, saving this Test match has become a tough ask for the Caribbean side.
Eyes on the 2027 Prize
While the South Africans are focused on the immediate task of winning the Test, a different kind of storm is brewing back home regarding the future of Indian cricket. The debate surrounding the participation of stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the 2027 World Cup has intensified. Following several press interactions by head coach Gautam Gambhir, it is becoming increasingly clear that the two legends are not guaranteed a spot in the squad for the mega event in South Africa. With nearly two years to go, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) seems reluctant to leave anything to chance, considering both players will be touching 39 and 40 by then. Factors such as fitness, form, and hunger will inevitably come into play, despite the duo’s recent impressive outings.
Voices from the Selection Room
However, this pragmatic approach by the management has faced strong pushback. Former BCCI selector Devang Gandhi has weighed in on the matter, warning against a complete overhaul. Gandhi is of the firm opinion that as long as Kohli and Rohit are available, the 2027 roadmap must be charted around them. He argues that the management needs to identify a core pool of 20 players and stick with them, rather than experimenting until the eleventh hour. The pain of the 2023 World Cup final loss is still fresh, and the desperate urge to break the trophy drought—persisting since 2011—requires careful planning rather than reactive changes.
The Problem of Plenty and Stability
Gandhi’s concerns stem from past blunders. He pointed out how the lack of a settled No. 4 batsman haunted the team in the 2019 World Cup semifinal and how similar instability forced the inclusion of Suryakumar Yadav in 2023 despite his modest ODI record. The current scenario is equally tricky. While youngsters like Ruturaj Gaikwad and Yashasvi Jaiswal have registered maiden centuries recently, they haven’t yet cemented their places in the playing XI. With key players like Rishabh Pant struggling for rhythm and Shreyas Iyer recovering from injury, the former selector insists on a streamlined strategy. Without a stable core revolving around the senior pros, Indian cricket risks repeating the catastrophic errors of previous campaigns.