Why Stuart Binny should be given a long run
Neither supremely talented batsman, nor a great bowler. At best, Stuart Binny is an average cricketer with obvious limitations. So, how does he manage to push himself in the Indian side? While cricket pundits have had no hesitation in saying Binny will be everyone’s bunny in World Cricket, he has shown great character by saving India’s face by handful contributions for the team across formats in the recent past.
Be it cricket or any sports, talent has a massive role in increasing the chances of success for any individual. However, It is not the only parameter. Positive attitude, right mindset and a cool head is important to battle the rigours. However, there have been many instances where someone with relatively less talent comes up and outperforms the talented lot on a consistent basis.
Different players play different role and thus may not like to float around in the batting order. Would MS Dhoni be so successful batting at No. 3 is difficult to say? Could Sachin Tendulkar have played at No. 5 or No. 6 in the batting line-up and win it more often for India? Personally, I believe batting at different position requires different mindset. While opening the batting can be technically challenging, batting in the lower middle order can be mentally taxing.
There have not been many success stories of a top order batsman making merry batting in the lower middle order. However, there have been several examples of batsmen making a move from lower middle order to top order and succeeding with Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag being the notable beneficiaries.
The added job of soaking scoreboard pressure makes batting in the lower middle order even tougher. It is thus important to ensure that guys batting in such positions are picked in a manner where the quality of runs are looked at rather than quantity. In such situations, an individual with more guts and a clear mind, who can hold nerves in critical situations has more chance of taking the team to safety. Players like Angelo Mathews, Steve Waugh, Andrew Flintoff became greats by performing better than more talented bunch players in their respective times.
Binny is no magic wand. He is not going to be a superstar with either bat or ball. But, as an allrounder, he enables India to have in him a batsman who can give crucial 30-40 runs at the end of innings and be a support bowler by keeping it tight at one end.
In fact, if one goes by his performances, he has done more than what was expected of him. A gutsy 78 in his debut Test match in England, magical bowling figures of 6-4 to win an ODI match for India in addition to many other useful contributions in a short career speaks volumes about his ability. Instead of looking at him as a specialist batsman or a specialist bowler, he should be given confidence from the captain and the team management to tap his all round skills by letting him express freely.
With his positive contributions, Binny has done enough to keep his place in the side for the moment. Giving him a long rope can be a tonic that can allow India to have the right balance in the side which was missing for a long time.
In a cricket crazy country, expectations certainly will be high. Hopefully, his executions remain high too.