Today is what was supposed to be the final day of the test match at the WACA sees no action as the game was all over two days ago, and here I am trying yet again to review another test match that India have lost in humiliating fashion. On a pitch with good bounce and having no demons, the Indian team capitulated for just 161 runs and from then on chased the match. Australia once again piled on the runs much to the misery of the Indians as David Warner hit a brilliant 180 knocking the wind out of the Indians. India again capitulated in the second innings suffering an innings and 37 runs defeat [SCORECARD].
The Indian Batting Surrender - India is always known to have a soft underbelly but the way the batting has capitulated this series is just appalling. Never in my wildest dreams would I have seen a batting line up with the stalwarts such as Sachin, Dravid, Sehwag and Laxman surrendering so easily to any team. It is a sad sight to behold and one that evokes many questions. Watching the pathetic display by the Indian batsmen, West Indies opener Chris Gayle has offered to help and tweeted,
Kohli - the lone positive - Virat Kohli finally came into his own and managed to top score for India in both the innings. He looked a lot more relaxed and watching him flick the ball through mid-wicket n the second innings was one of the few things that was truly worth watching from the Indian perspective. The kid seems to have a bright future and if he can convert his starts into big scores then he has a long way to go wearing the whites.
Bulldog Warner - David Warner was the sledgehammer that knocked the life completely out of India at Perth. Having been dismissed for just 161, I'm sure Dhoni would have been wishing for a few early wickets. Unfortunately he got Warner who was true to his aggressive self and launched into the Indian bowling and tore it up. It was all beautiful and horrible at the same time watching as the opener with ease sent the leather to the boundary. Have Australia found their Sehwag?
Hilfy the Wrecker - If the Indian batting surrendered and collapsed, credit has to be given to the Aussie bowlers who kept a very tight line outside the off-stump. Ben Hilfenhaus was simply stunning and with 8 wickets next to his name I'm sure he is a very pleased man. Watching Hilfenhaus bowl was like having a knife at your skin. He always looked threatening and you just knew a wicket would fall soon and this series has proved more than a handful for the Indians.
3 - nil. - So the score now is 3 - nil and India stare at a possible whitewash. Will they be able to reverse the tide at Adelaide or is it further embarrassment for the men in blue?
Lets hope that that the team at least manages a draw at Adelaide.
The Indian Batting Surrender - India is always known to have a soft underbelly but the way the batting has capitulated this series is just appalling. Never in my wildest dreams would I have seen a batting line up with the stalwarts such as Sachin, Dravid, Sehwag and Laxman surrendering so easily to any team. It is a sad sight to behold and one that evokes many questions. Watching the pathetic display by the Indian batsmen, West Indies opener Chris Gayle has offered to help and tweeted,
"I'm waiting on clearance from BCCI to play in the 4th Test against Australia."
Bulldog Warner - David Warner was the sledgehammer that knocked the life completely out of India at Perth. Having been dismissed for just 161, I'm sure Dhoni would have been wishing for a few early wickets. Unfortunately he got Warner who was true to his aggressive self and launched into the Indian bowling and tore it up. It was all beautiful and horrible at the same time watching as the opener with ease sent the leather to the boundary. Have Australia found their Sehwag?
Hilfy the Wrecker - If the Indian batting surrendered and collapsed, credit has to be given to the Aussie bowlers who kept a very tight line outside the off-stump. Ben Hilfenhaus was simply stunning and with 8 wickets next to his name I'm sure he is a very pleased man. Watching Hilfenhaus bowl was like having a knife at your skin. He always looked threatening and you just knew a wicket would fall soon and this series has proved more than a handful for the Indians.
3 - nil. - So the score now is 3 - nil and India stare at a possible whitewash. Will they be able to reverse the tide at Adelaide or is it further embarrassment for the men in blue?
Lets hope that that the team at least manages a draw at Adelaide.
2 Comments:
I must confess, I have felt a strange mix of glee and disappointment in this series. Glee because who can be unhappy when their team is carrying all before it. But disappointment because this was probably our (I live in Perth) last chance to see these legend batsmen of cricket take the field in a Test. It is staggering to watch. I could only manage tickets to the third day of the test so only got a half a day's play, a scenario that hadn't even occurred to me as a possibility when I bought them before the match had started.
The Indian bowling has been uninspired but then it has never been the Indian strength. In spite of this I think they have performed serviceably, though they had only four occasions to demonstrate what they have to offer. Only once did the Australian innings really get away from them.
But the batting has been outmatched on all counts and I can honestly hardly believe that I am writing this.
Agree what you said about watching Hilfenhaus bowl. As I watched on that third day there was never a question that there would be a wicket. An absurd number of edges and beaten edges before one finally took. And as for what followed on from there, the less said the better.
All I can say is that India is in what seems to me to be the same circumstances that Australia was in recently, with the aging stars. To navigate through it, the selectors must be brave and must be willing to do ruthless things. No batter should have the right to elevate self above the team, which is what allowing a player to decide when to retire from the international team truly is. They must make their decisions based on what is right for the future of the Indian team. There will be many opportunities for honours and plaudits for the aging legends of the team, but sacrificing the national team is not something to be awarded as a reward.
Well Nathan that is a pity and do understand what you mean. Hope you did enjoy what little you cricket you saw.
And that has been the worry. The Indian batting is supposed to be the jewel of the Indian cricket team and it is this part that is now letting us down. Like you said India is undergoing a transition phase and we need calm minds with plenty of patience and foresight to make some tough decisions and plot a road map for the future. Laxman, Dravid and SRT can't be here forever and its time we start slowly phasing them out with respect so that the interests of Indian cricket is seen on the larger hand.
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