Indian Cricket Team is in England to play a 5 Test Series. The last time they were here in 2011 they lost all four tests resulting in a utterly humiliating loss.
Will they fare better this time?
England is not the same team it was in 2011. They had a disastrous Ashes tour where they lost 0-5. This resulted in many heads rolling. But now when they played Sri Lanka at home they again lost 0-1 in a 2 test series. So they are going through a crisis and a transition. Their captain Alistair Cook is under attack.
India's performance in Test Cricket away from home has been disastrous as well. They have lost 10 out of the last 12 overseas Test Matches.
It is going to be a contest of two sides and two captains trying to redeem themselves. Dhoni at least has the consolation of having good performances in ODI's and T20's. Cook's captaincy as well as personal form have deserted him.
It seems it is good time for India to strike a blow against England, but can they do that. To win a Test Match India has to take 20 Wickets. Do they have the bowling attack to do that? Going by what we have seen till now in the 2 practice matches, the Indian bowling seems quite innocuous.
In the absence of Zaheer, Ishant is the bowling sprearhead. After playing nearly 60 Tests it is high time he took this responsibility. In my mind this maybe the make or break series for Ishant. He has got a very very long rope. He has to deliver in this series, else he should be shown the door. Dhoni has a particular liking for him but I cannot find another example in history of a man playing purely as a bowler who averages nearly 40 after 60 tests matches. Come to think of it, many bowling legends played less or same tests in their whole career. Michael Holding played 60 Tests, Joel Garner 58 and Andy Roberts 47...................and people keep saying Ishant is still a newcomer !!!
This is a great opportunity for Mohammad Shami & Bhuvaneswar Kumar. English conditions should suit their bowling. Stuart Binny maybe the surprise package in bowling.
The spin department is looking rather bare with Ashwin making no impact so far.
This is a also a series when Ravi Jadeja can make a mark as an all-rounder. Will he take it? Only time will tell.
It is also a golden opportunity for Kohli and Pujara to stake their claim as the top Test Batsmen. They have the talent and the technique.
Even more than Kohli, I expect Pujara to come good. Dravid as the batting mentor should of great help to these youngsters. Ajinkya Rahane maybe the surprise package in batting too.
Hence the Indian team holds great promise but very little experience of English conditions. It all boils down to how they will adapt to the conditions. If they are able to do that quickly,they might spring a surprise.
The key for India is that the bowling has to come good. If that doesn't happen their fate is sealed.
Will they fare better this time?
England is not the same team it was in 2011. They had a disastrous Ashes tour where they lost 0-5. This resulted in many heads rolling. But now when they played Sri Lanka at home they again lost 0-1 in a 2 test series. So they are going through a crisis and a transition. Their captain Alistair Cook is under attack.
India's performance in Test Cricket away from home has been disastrous as well. They have lost 10 out of the last 12 overseas Test Matches.
It is going to be a contest of two sides and two captains trying to redeem themselves. Dhoni at least has the consolation of having good performances in ODI's and T20's. Cook's captaincy as well as personal form have deserted him.
It seems it is good time for India to strike a blow against England, but can they do that. To win a Test Match India has to take 20 Wickets. Do they have the bowling attack to do that? Going by what we have seen till now in the 2 practice matches, the Indian bowling seems quite innocuous.
In the absence of Zaheer, Ishant is the bowling sprearhead. After playing nearly 60 Tests it is high time he took this responsibility. In my mind this maybe the make or break series for Ishant. He has got a very very long rope. He has to deliver in this series, else he should be shown the door. Dhoni has a particular liking for him but I cannot find another example in history of a man playing purely as a bowler who averages nearly 40 after 60 tests matches. Come to think of it, many bowling legends played less or same tests in their whole career. Michael Holding played 60 Tests, Joel Garner 58 and Andy Roberts 47...................and people keep saying Ishant is still a newcomer !!!
This is a great opportunity for Mohammad Shami & Bhuvaneswar Kumar. English conditions should suit their bowling. Stuart Binny maybe the surprise package in bowling.
The spin department is looking rather bare with Ashwin making no impact so far.
This is a also a series when Ravi Jadeja can make a mark as an all-rounder. Will he take it? Only time will tell.
It is also a golden opportunity for Kohli and Pujara to stake their claim as the top Test Batsmen. They have the talent and the technique.
Even more than Kohli, I expect Pujara to come good. Dravid as the batting mentor should of great help to these youngsters. Ajinkya Rahane maybe the surprise package in batting too.
Hence the Indian team holds great promise but very little experience of English conditions. It all boils down to how they will adapt to the conditions. If they are able to do that quickly,they might spring a surprise.
The key for India is that the bowling has to come good. If that doesn't happen their fate is sealed.
I would say the key players for India are Pujara, Kohli, Ishant & Shami......and of course Dhoni.....
All in all, I would give England the clear edge as they have more experience and they are playing at home.
Whatever the outcome, I am hoping for a keen contest unlike the one-sided farce of 2011. I had to face the jibes of my British colleagues in office as India stumbled from one disaster to another !!
All in all, I would give England the clear edge as they have more experience and they are playing at home.
Whatever the outcome, I am hoping for a keen contest unlike the one-sided farce of 2011. I had to face the jibes of my British colleagues in office as India stumbled from one disaster to another !!
No comments:
Post a Comment