Funny Critics!

I was really amused by the hullabaloo created over Rahul Dravid’s refusal to enforce the follow-on at the third test at the Oval by some of the former Indian cricketers.

True, it is disappointing that Dravid didn’t enforce the follow-on, as it would have given an opportunity to win the series 2-0, which would have been ideal.

Though it is difficult to buy Dravid’s defense, where he cited the fatigue factor, it was a creditable performance by India winning the series, something to really cheer about, as overseas Test Series wins for India are rarer than Blue Moons – and never mind a second string English bowling attack, they still had a formidable batting lineup.

I can understand the disappointment and criticism from the non-cricketing experts (the public and the media), the scores of them that we have in this cricket crazy nation, as they might not fully understand the nuances of the game. But the former cricketers should know better. What amuses me most about the former cricketers is their unabashed criticism despite being part of maybe just one successful overseas campaign during their playing days. Most of them were part of teams that could not even beat Zimbabwe in Zimbabwe.

Firstly, I would like to remind these former cricketers of India’s abysmal overseas test record since becoming a Test Playing nation in 1932, before the current series. Other than a test series victory in Zimbabwe in 2005 (against a second string Zimbabwe side due to the political crisis), India has managed only 6 series wins outside the sub-continent. Other than that, India has won only once in Pakistan in 2004 and once in Sri Lanka in 1993, and India has never won a test series in Australia and South Africa.

Though India’s overseas test performance has improved over the last 5 or 6 years, they have let their opponent off the hook many a time. In the past 6 years since 2001, following are the instances where India has taken a 1-0 lead in test series only to lose the next test.

2001-2002 series against Zimbabwe – Won the 1st test, lost the 2nd and drew 1-1 in a two-test series.
2002-2003 series against the West Indies – Won the second test, lost the third and lost the series 5-match series 1-2.
2003-2004 series against Australia – Won the 2nd test, lost the 3rd and drew the 4-match series 1-1
2004-2005 series against Pakistan – Won the first test, lost the second, but fought back to win the 3rd test and win the series 2-1
2006-2007 series against South Africa – Won the first test but lost the next two tests to lose the 3-match series 1-2.

Being in Dravid’s shoes, the priority would have been to make sure that the series is won, and then perhaps go for a win. He was just making sure he was safe rather than sorry. Let us also accept the fact that we are not yet World Beaters like Australia, who don’t give their opponents an inch once they pin them down. Maybe the next time Dravid has the opportunity to go for the kill, he might do so, because I am sure India has shed a bit of the fear of losing, which it has not been able to do so all these years.

I shudder to think what would have happened if after the follow-on had been enforced, someone from England had done a la Laxman (Eden Gardens 2001, after Steve Waugh had enforced the follow-on) and conjure a win for England. Dravid would have had to go into hiding into the hollow earth. I am sure the same critics would have told “Dravid should have made sure the series was won and then go for victory.”

Funny are our critics!!!

written by: K. Gautam