The drivel in this blog is purely a product of the limitless frustration I have, on the absolutely pathetic and dismal performance of the Indian cricket team that is now staring at another defeat in Adelaide, Australia. The only consolation here is that this loss was on the fifth day, compared to the earlier defeats.
Losing is an essential part of the game, but regular loss abroad only tells there is something terribly wrong somewhere. And when India loses, laymen like me actually get the right to criticize; I'll put it to use.
Few things went right for India. A famed batting line up suffered in front of persistent and penetrating fast bolwing. I mean FAST!!! Our bowlers were shown all round the park and Australia's run rates were consistently around 4 RPO. That's frikkin high for a test match. Vinay Kumar tried being aggressive by bowling bouncers to David Warner at 120 kph. It was pulled past the boundary at probably 200kph!!!
If this was one series to be ignored, what about the beating we got in England? Again, fast bowling prevailed over a deep batting line up. There are no excuses for repeated failure. Something's seriously wrong.
Let's start blaming a few things. First, IPL and T20 cricket. Yes, indeed these have stolen some limelight from test cricket. But playing in the IPL or any other T20 tournament is up to the players. And one cannot dwell on this excuse for long, because even Australia / England have players from the T20 format - only that they are more judicious and know when to rest.
Second, over-emphasis on Sachin's hundredth ton. After the second test, it looked like that story I had learnt in my childhood about the shepherd who lied that a tiger came everyday and finally, when it really did, there was no one around. To all, this ton seemed more important than a combined effort to perform well on the tour.
30 Apr 2011:
This blog remained a draft until today. I had forgotten all about it and had no motivation to write. In fact, I even feel bored to read all those lines above this to continue on the subject. I faintly remember writing about the reasons for India's glorious failures in Tests.
Sachin now has his 100th ton - a wonderful knock until he reached 80 against the Wasim Akrams and the Glenn McGraths and the Shane Warnes of Bangladesh. The aplomb with which he touched 100 from 80 is unsurpassed - possibly the actual cause of India emerging winners(!!!) in that game.
More later, if there is any motivation to write!!!
Losing is an essential part of the game, but regular loss abroad only tells there is something terribly wrong somewhere. And when India loses, laymen like me actually get the right to criticize; I'll put it to use.
Few things went right for India. A famed batting line up suffered in front of persistent and penetrating fast bolwing. I mean FAST!!! Our bowlers were shown all round the park and Australia's run rates were consistently around 4 RPO. That's frikkin high for a test match. Vinay Kumar tried being aggressive by bowling bouncers to David Warner at 120 kph. It was pulled past the boundary at probably 200kph!!!
If this was one series to be ignored, what about the beating we got in England? Again, fast bowling prevailed over a deep batting line up. There are no excuses for repeated failure. Something's seriously wrong.
Let's start blaming a few things. First, IPL and T20 cricket. Yes, indeed these have stolen some limelight from test cricket. But playing in the IPL or any other T20 tournament is up to the players. And one cannot dwell on this excuse for long, because even Australia / England have players from the T20 format - only that they are more judicious and know when to rest.
Second, over-emphasis on Sachin's hundredth ton. After the second test, it looked like that story I had learnt in my childhood about the shepherd who lied that a tiger came everyday and finally, when it really did, there was no one around. To all, this ton seemed more important than a combined effort to perform well on the tour.
30 Apr 2011:
This blog remained a draft until today. I had forgotten all about it and had no motivation to write. In fact, I even feel bored to read all those lines above this to continue on the subject. I faintly remember writing about the reasons for India's glorious failures in Tests.
Sachin now has his 100th ton - a wonderful knock until he reached 80 against the Wasim Akrams and the Glenn McGraths and the Shane Warnes of Bangladesh. The aplomb with which he touched 100 from 80 is unsurpassed - possibly the actual cause of India emerging winners(!!!) in that game.
More later, if there is any motivation to write!!!
