#10YearChallenge: How the face of Indian cricket has changed in the last 10 years

Different players for different occasions

Different heroes for different occasions

Unlike the team of 2009, the Indian team of 2019 is not overly dependent on one or two players. They have different players to rise to different occasions and everyone is a team player contributing to the common objective. The fear of failure is no more present.

The reliance on technology

At the beginning of 2009, the Indians were too reluctant to use technology to arrive at decisions on the cricket field. However, the change in leadership has resulted in the change in approach and now India has learned to embrace technology. This progression has done more good for Indian cricket.

New terminologies like umpire’s call, hotspot, Snickometer, Hawkeye, ultra edge, and soft signal have gained paramount relevance in today’s Indian cricket as compared to 10 years ago.

The presence of bits-and-pieces cricketers in the Indian Test team

In 2009, the Indian Test team consisted of specialists. However, over a period of time, bits-and-pieces players who were considered more suitable for white ball cricket have found themselves in the Test playing XI. Players like Hardik Pandya and Stuart Binny have found their way into the Test team.

On overseas conditions, even someone like a Jadeja or an Ashwin is expected to play the dual role to maintain the balance of the team. The irony is that in the current team the best wicket-keeper batsman is in the one-day XI while the best batsman wicket-keeper is in Test XI.

Besides, in recent times, the Indian team looks more like a Sri Lankan team with 2 or 3 wicket-keepers in the playing XI in white ball cricket.