Buried Down Under

From the winning the World Cup 2011 to loosing the Border-Gavaskar trophy, the Indian cricket team has seen it all within a span of one year.  The team which was showered with financial rewards and trophies is being given strong backlash in India after loss in Perth test match. Even the Australian media has harshly criticized Indian team by calling it“useless rubble” led by a “passive captain”. Is this team really worthy of being ranked no 2 in tests?  Did India win the World Cup because of home advantage? These are the questions lingering in the minds of cricket enthusiasts.

At the start of the tour, people were expecting India to steamroll the inexperienced Australian bowlers and win the series for the first time in Australia. This series was much hyped because of Sachin’s 100^th century.  After a disastrous England tour which India lost 4-0, BCCI had taken some corrective measures and kept some practice matches ahead of the Boxing Day test match in Melbourne. A lesser known cricketer Ed Cowen hit a century in the practice match and got selected for the MCG test match. Ed now you know whom to thank when you retire.

The MCG test match got underway and the Indian batsman were dancing to the tunes of Australian bowlers. India’s famed batting line-up produced another spineless display to crash to an embarrassing 122-run defeat and handed Australia a 1-0 lead. Dhoni gave an excuse that they are poor starters and would produce better results in the next test match.

The situation got much worse in Sydney. India gave in to the disciplined bowling by Ben Hilfenhaus, James Pattinson and Peter Siddle and lost by an innings and 68-runs. Australia had taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the four-match series. Michael Clark was declared man of the match for his unbeaten innings of 329.

You think this was worst then you have underestimated the clumsiness of Indian batsmen. The Australian bowlers were too hot and fierce to handle. The match finished within 3 days!  None of the Indian batsman were able to stand up to the Australian bowlers. The Indian strong middle order consisting of Sachin, Dravid, Laxman were expected to deliver the goods but they have let down in a big way. Talks about them retiring are already doing the rounds.

Now what do we expect from Adelaide Test match starting from 24^th January? Can Indians save themselves from another whitewash? We need to wait and watch. Hope they can at least carry on the match until 5 days to keep the sponsors and broadcasters happy.