Shape Up Or Ship Out Is Rahul’s Call, Team India’s Slackers Are Up Against The Wall

The Rahuls are the ones in charge of transition as Team India moves on from the Virat Kohli era. KL, the opener-captain of the ODI team, and Dravid, the coach, will be ushering in the fresh start. The alarm bells must be ringing in those who were given a long rope when Shastri-Kohli were in charge. Work ethic will have a very high value. There will be no more pampering of seniors and whenever Test matches come along both Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara can expect no more favours. Rishabh Pant may have got a renewed lease of life with his classy century marked by great discipline at the crease but he too can expect none of the old licence with Dravid in charge. Total commitment to the team cause would be the new mantra and anyone fed a false sense of confidence will know that everyone will be on trial from here on. Dravid will be the toughest task master because he was a cricketer who drove himself on in his career and his Karnataka mate Lokesh would know that very well. Committed cricketers will have a better chance as performance will count for more than players strutting about on their assumed potential. A new Team India is in the making.