Vengsarkar, who is also a former chief selector, believes India played well in the two-year WTC cycle but their preparation for the final was far from ideal.
The quarantine restrictions allowed India to play only one intra-squad game before a marquee clash against a well-prepared New Zealand.
“I enjoyed watching Test cricket on this cycle. India did very well in this cycle but what cost them their poor preparation in the final. They went into this kind of game without any practice games.
“New Zealand, on the other hand, have already played two matches (against England) and the match is fit,” he told PTI on Friday.
The players have a three-week break before regrouping in the UK on 14 July for the five Tests against England starting in Nottingham on 4 August. The scheduling has baffled Vengsarkar.
It should be mentioned that the six-week break between the WTC final and the first England Test is due to travel restrictions and COVID-19 protocols for any Indian traveler traveling to the UK.
“I don’t know how we travel like this. Where you go for a break in the middle and then come back to play a Test match. A week’s break after the WTC final was enough. The thing is you have to Need to keep playing. I’m surprised this itinerary has been approved.”
Captain Kohli spoke about the need for the batsmen to show more intent to score runs when conditions were tough to bat like they were in Southampton.
Vengsarkar said that Kohli and Co should also have shown intent in their preparations.
“If he is talking about intention, why didn’t the team prepare properly for this match? Where was the intention then? They should have played at least two four-day matches.
“You want to play those games to find out whether the players are match fit or not. The fast bowlers will know what lengths to hit only in those practice games.”
Vengsarkar said that despite having the option of playing an extra seamer at the start of play in a rain-hit game, India announced the best available eleven two days before the game.
“You see, we beat Australia with more or less a similar combination. It was the best team they picked in the circumstances. Whether you announce it on the day of the game or the day before, it doesn’t matter. You have it anyway.” A thought about the circumstances.”
India missed out on one fast bowling all-rounder in the eleven and two specialist spinners, R Ashwin and . played the role of Ravindra JadejaThat too because of his batting ability.
With Hardik Pandya not being fit enough to bowl regularly in the format, the selectors ignored him for the UK tour. ”
“If he is not available then you think of someone who is available. In cricket, no one is indispensable. Unfortunately, BCCI doesn’t have a proper talent search team. They have to be someone from the Under-19 level. should pick and prepare it,” said Vengsarkar, who was the chairman of the BCCI’s Talent Research and Development Organization (TRDO).
India are yet to win an ICC title under Kohli and it remains a mystery for Vengsarkar.
“To be honest, it was a big achievement to beat Australia earlier this year. I value a win like this a lot. This WTC they have just started, I don’t know how long they will continue it.
“I think if you play in countries like England, you should play the best of three matches to know where the team is. Because after this Test, if we had two more games, the final with India The result could have been different. Already played a game.
“I don’t know why they (have not been able to win the ICC title). They have the combination and the players do it.”
At the moment, Vengsarkar also sees no merit in the divided captaincy debate.
“If Virat is good enough to play in all formats, which he is a lot of, then he should continue to lead the team. He should be replaced only if he doesn’t deserve a place in the team.
“The ODI captain is playing under the Test captain and vice versa, I don’t believe him. If Joe Root Playing under Morgan in ODIs, I don’t agree with him as he is good enough to lead that side as well,” said the 65-year-old.
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