By: Gautam
For all the monkeying around by some of the Indian cricketers in a bid to get under the skin of the Australians, they only have a 2-4 series loss to write home about. At the end of the day, runs, wickets, and catches are what really matter rather than what you say on the field and off it. Reality has hit Team India a bit, if not real hard. They would have realized that the 50-over game is a totally different ball game, especially against the World Champions, after being crowned 20/20 World Champions. It is understandable that some of the youngsters wanted to carry the 20/20 momentum and spirit against the Aussies, but throwing caution to the wind in such an unruly fashion badly misfired.
It is unfortunate that none of the seniors including Sourav Ganguly who tickled Steve Waugh in 2001 as captain, could bring about controlled aggression amongst the youngsters. Bad mouthing the Australians was not a good idea after all. It only fired them up. With a series Down Under not far away, it would have been wise to show a bit of restraint. The indications are already there, with Andrew Symonds mincing no words about their intentions when India arrives.
Rare Victories
The victory at Mumbai was some consolation, a close one at that. I am beginning to wonder when we are ever going to beat Australia convincingly, the few ones that have been managed over the years. It is not heartening to note that our last victory before the win at Chandigarh was in early 2004, almost three-and-a-half years ago. And guess when was the last time we beat them chasing a target – almost a decade ago in 1998 in Sharjah in the Coca Cola Cup final. Even then, it was Sachin Tendulkar’s one-man brilliance that rattled the Australians, and not a team effort. Australia wins most of their matches mostly because they play as a team and not unduly rely on individuals.
Anyway, 2 victories out of 6 looks like a definite improvement for India.
Good Comeback
It was comeback time for Murali Karthik. He seems to be maturing and getting better with age, as most spinners do. His 6/27 at Mumbai saved India from further blushes. He fully exploited the Mumbai pitch and stifled the Aussies when they looked like running away with yet another match. He also had a plucky knock with the bat to boot. Hopefully he will go onto improve his performances outside India.
Lazy Running
After pulling one back in Chandigarh after losing the second and third one-dayer, India were presented with a golden opportunity to make it 2-2 in the 4th one-dayer. Dhoni called right and batted first. Though Mitchell Johnson bowled brilliantly, it only required India to post at least 250 to make the Australians sweat a bit on a pitch with wear and tear. A target of 149 was too little. A fair share of the blame should be taken by the openers, whose thoughtless running gave the early momentum the Aussies were looking for. Of only the 5th ball of the innings, Tendulkar called a bit too late in refusing a single, and when a dive was required at the other end, Ganguly chose to amble lazily at the last stretch. Poor cricket indeed by both the openers, considering that if they had got going early, a fighting total could have been posted.
Totally Outclassed
The Indians were totally outclassed in the 2nd and 3rd one-dayers. Hardly any bowler got his act right, spraying the ball all around. Once Australia posted huge totals, India didn’t have much of a chance. Only Yuvraj Singh’s master class 121 in the 3rd one dayer was a face-saver, which kept India’s hopes alive till the 43rd over.
A mixed bag
There were some positives in the series, which India will cherish. Robin Uthappa has probably come of age in the 50-over format. His fighting innings in the 6th and a match winning one in the 7th would have lifted some of the sagging Indian spirits. The strategy of bringing him lower down the order has worked. However, he would do well to improve his technique against the moving ball initially, if he is required to come in early.
The constant shuffling of Sreesanth and RP Singh in the series didn’t help matters. The selectors should have kept faith in one of them throughout the series. Both of them are rhythm bowlers and constant disruptions prevented either one from giving their best. Sreesanth also would do well to tone himself down. His performance with the ball unfortunately doesn’t seem to match his aggression.
Rahul Dravid’s poor form is a bit of a concern. Again, constant shuffling in the order didn’t help his cause. Still, it would be foolish to not consider him for future One-Dayers, as India still requires a mature head in his form. However, I feel Dravid should slowly wean himself off One-Dayers in the coming months and concentrate on Tests and also give opportunities to the likes of Rohit Sharma and Badrinath. He is still after all ‘The Wall’ of Indian cricket.
The 20/20 match on Saturday should be an interesting one.
For all the monkeying around by some of the Indian cricketers in a bid to get under the skin of the Australians, they only have a 2-4 series loss to write home about. At the end of the day, runs, wickets, and catches are what really matter rather than what you say on the field and off it. Reality has hit Team India a bit, if not real hard. They would have realized that the 50-over game is a totally different ball game, especially against the World Champions, after being crowned 20/20 World Champions. It is understandable that some of the youngsters wanted to carry the 20/20 momentum and spirit against the Aussies, but throwing caution to the wind in such an unruly fashion badly misfired.
It is unfortunate that none of the seniors including Sourav Ganguly who tickled Steve Waugh in 2001 as captain, could bring about controlled aggression amongst the youngsters. Bad mouthing the Australians was not a good idea after all. It only fired them up. With a series Down Under not far away, it would have been wise to show a bit of restraint. The indications are already there, with Andrew Symonds mincing no words about their intentions when India arrives.
Rare Victories
The victory at Mumbai was some consolation, a close one at that. I am beginning to wonder when we are ever going to beat Australia convincingly, the few ones that have been managed over the years. It is not heartening to note that our last victory before the win at Chandigarh was in early 2004, almost three-and-a-half years ago. And guess when was the last time we beat them chasing a target – almost a decade ago in 1998 in Sharjah in the Coca Cola Cup final. Even then, it was Sachin Tendulkar’s one-man brilliance that rattled the Australians, and not a team effort. Australia wins most of their matches mostly because they play as a team and not unduly rely on individuals.
Anyway, 2 victories out of 6 looks like a definite improvement for India.
Good Comeback
It was comeback time for Murali Karthik. He seems to be maturing and getting better with age, as most spinners do. His 6/27 at Mumbai saved India from further blushes. He fully exploited the Mumbai pitch and stifled the Aussies when they looked like running away with yet another match. He also had a plucky knock with the bat to boot. Hopefully he will go onto improve his performances outside India.
Lazy Running
After pulling one back in Chandigarh after losing the second and third one-dayer, India were presented with a golden opportunity to make it 2-2 in the 4th one-dayer. Dhoni called right and batted first. Though Mitchell Johnson bowled brilliantly, it only required India to post at least 250 to make the Australians sweat a bit on a pitch with wear and tear. A target of 149 was too little. A fair share of the blame should be taken by the openers, whose thoughtless running gave the early momentum the Aussies were looking for. Of only the 5th ball of the innings, Tendulkar called a bit too late in refusing a single, and when a dive was required at the other end, Ganguly chose to amble lazily at the last stretch. Poor cricket indeed by both the openers, considering that if they had got going early, a fighting total could have been posted.
Totally Outclassed
The Indians were totally outclassed in the 2nd and 3rd one-dayers. Hardly any bowler got his act right, spraying the ball all around. Once Australia posted huge totals, India didn’t have much of a chance. Only Yuvraj Singh’s master class 121 in the 3rd one dayer was a face-saver, which kept India’s hopes alive till the 43rd over.
A mixed bag
There were some positives in the series, which India will cherish. Robin Uthappa has probably come of age in the 50-over format. His fighting innings in the 6th and a match winning one in the 7th would have lifted some of the sagging Indian spirits. The strategy of bringing him lower down the order has worked. However, he would do well to improve his technique against the moving ball initially, if he is required to come in early.
The constant shuffling of Sreesanth and RP Singh in the series didn’t help matters. The selectors should have kept faith in one of them throughout the series. Both of them are rhythm bowlers and constant disruptions prevented either one from giving their best. Sreesanth also would do well to tone himself down. His performance with the ball unfortunately doesn’t seem to match his aggression.
Rahul Dravid’s poor form is a bit of a concern. Again, constant shuffling in the order didn’t help his cause. Still, it would be foolish to not consider him for future One-Dayers, as India still requires a mature head in his form. However, I feel Dravid should slowly wean himself off One-Dayers in the coming months and concentrate on Tests and also give opportunities to the likes of Rohit Sharma and Badrinath. He is still after all ‘The Wall’ of Indian cricket.
The 20/20 match on Saturday should be an interesting one.
I really can't understand why Mr. Gautam is so against aggression by the Indians. We have been at the receiving end all these years. Now that some youngsters have the courage to stand up to these Australians, we should really encourage them, rather than echoing the white commentators and former players words. By reading Gautam's article, i remember my old school English teachers saying.. "After more than four decades of independence, we Indians still haven't lost our servitude attitude while facing a white man".
ReplyDelete"Thanks for your comments.
ReplyDeleteAggression has its own limits. As I have written, it should be controlled. Aggression does not necessarily mean insulting and bad mouthing your opponent, which Sreesanth was doing. Going for wickets while bowling and taking on the bowling fearlessly is also aggression, which Australia has been doing all these years, thus winning most of their matches. Sledging is just an added tactic, which works for them. Anyway just because Australia behaves so badly doesn't mean India has to follow suit. Also, as I have written, only results matter at the end of the day. If the youngsters back this sort of aggression by sustained good performances, who is going to complain?
Lastly, the article is totally my view. It is not a reproduction of any commentator's or player's views.
Again, thanks for your comments."
Gautam