IS INDIA DRIVING DOWN A CUL-DE-SAC?


The New Year didn’t start on a great note for the visitors. SCG was a perfect anti-climax to the revelry that ushered in 2012. Having both the Tests ending by the fourth day; the omens certainly don’t look good for India.

With already 0-2 down, the Indian dressing room surely sports a weary look. A perfect environment where pessimism breeds. Agreed, an Australian tour is never easy. But a team that is being tagged as ‘World Champions’; dishing out a performance such as this, surely is a cause for embarrassment. 

A comeback for India means they will have to perform way better than they have so far in the series. The WACA curator, Cameron Sutherland, believes that the pitch will be reminiscent of the WACA of the old- quick and bouncy. Predicted to behave just the way it did during the last Ashes Test here, which Australia won in just four days.  

It was quite evident in the way India played. The team lacked zing and athleticism. Of course, there is no dearth of talent; otherwise past records wouldn’t have been possible. But you can’t win against a team like Australia in their own den on talent alone. 

Fielding let India down. On occasions more than one, Australian batsmen pitched easy singles and converted the ones into twos. Australia was aware that it was up against an Indian side that was tad leaden-footed. Historically, Indians have never been known for their fielding, barring the likes of Kapil and Azharuddin. Today, the game has changed and thus demands high skills in the fielding department. Watching R.Ashwin, Zaheer, Laxman in the outfield was frustrating. A great throw, a brilliant catch lifts the spirits of the team. A little effort goes a long way. 

WACA isn’t going to be easy. India might seek solace in the fact that they won a Test the last time they played here. But this WACA will boast of a new surface. The curator is hoping there might be 20% extra pace and bounce. Definitely not good news for beleaguered Indian team. 

In hindsight, it is easy to scientifically dissect the series. But no sport, including cricket, is about post mortems. It’s about taking the field and performing like a Gladiator.  

The road ahead looks uphill for the visitors. Trying to achieve 2-2 might be a distant dream for India. The only retribution might be Tendulkar’s much awaited ton. Otherwise, I’m afraid, the Indian team is heading towards a cul de sac, as far as this series goes.


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