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Worst losing streak since 1968

amiret

By amiret
in Cricket Talk

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amiret Newbie

amiret

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Sambit Bal on Cricinfo.

And for a proud bunch of players, nothing would sting more than this statistic: Not since 1968, not even in the hopeless era of the 1990s, which some in this ground have painful memories of, have India lost six away matches on a trot. Between 1959 and 1968 they had lost 17. This must count as their most embarrassing loss in Australia for over a decade. The defeat at the MCG might have rankled for reasons that, with hindsight, would feel far more positive. The lament there was about an opportunity lost. In various stages of that match, India held positions from where victory could be contemplated. And play began on the fourth morning with all results apart from a draw still possible. At the SCG, apart from that burst when Zaheer Khan winkled out three left-hand, top-order batsmen, India were in a battle that got more uphill by the session. It isn't unusual for teams to look a bit ragged when opposition batsmen pile up huge runs, but very few top teams can manage the look of utter desolation India acquire after a barren session. As at Centurion, Edgbaston and the Oval, every trace of competition went out of the Indians on the field once Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke set their stall. Energy and inspiration can create opportunities even on unresponsive wickets. The Australian bowlers managed to get more out of a third-day wicket last evening by coaxing more effort out of their bodies. After Ben Hilfenhaus had bent one more through Rahul Dravid's defences, James Pattinson and Peter Siddle found a higher gear to make the ball hurry and zip. With better catching and a bit of luck, they could have had India four down last evening. That India managed only one wicket for over 600 runs was largely due to some magnificent batting from Clarke, Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey. But it was also true that India were quick to abandon hope and wait for the mercy of a declaration. Apart from a brief period when Ponting was nearing his hundred, there seemed neither any purpose nor intent from the Indians on the field. Those in the deep hardly took a start, some didn't even pretend to put an appearance of a chase, and bowlers simply took the cue and went through the motions. MS Dhoni remained the most energetic man on the field, sometimes chasing the ball to fine leg from his position as wicketkeeper instead of the man at square leg, but as a Test captain he remains guilty of letting himself be dictated to by the circumstances, rather than making something happen. Dhoni has many exceptional qualities, and his composure in adversity remains his greatest strength, but flagging teams sometimes require a bit of fire and inspiration, and Dhoni has personified resignation. That he has many creaking and ageing bodies at his disposal doesn't make the job easier. More than anything else, though, the batsmen have failed the team the most. This Test was lost on the first day, when India managed to get bowled out for 191 after choosing to bat. With hindsight it may seem the wrong choice, for the first two sessions were the friendliest for the bowlers. But it was the right choice in the circumstances: a trailing team must make the running, and there is no better way to set up a Test that posting a big score. To a large degree the Indian batsmen have been caught unawares by the nature of pitches and the kind of bowling they have encountered. There was a quiet confidence among the senior batsmen that there would be no repeat of the serial disasters that befell them in England because the Australian surfaces - hard and true with minimal deviation - and nature of the Australian bowling - back of a length - have traditionally suited their style of batting, which often relies on hitting on the up and through the line. But unlike on their previous two tours, the pitches this time have had a matting of grass and the Australian bowlers have bowled a yard fuller. These two factors combined to present the Indian batsmen the same difficulties they encountered in England. And so far, the results have been disturbingly similar for them. Also, the score line reads exactly the same as it did at the same juncture in 2007-08. But four years ago, the Indian team carried to Perth a sense of injustice and anger. This time they will board the same flight in despair. Sambit Bal is the editor of ESPNcricinfo
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amiret Newbie

amiret

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what we need to realise is ,these problems have been a long time coming. Over the years we have overlooked Sehwags repeated failures abroad and the weak No.6 slot filled by batsmen with questionable technique. Sachin is having a below par 6-7 months and all hell has broken loose.

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Pak_Fan_4_Eva Newbie

Pak_Fan_4_Eva

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dude when that happened pakistan was part of india :hysterical::hysterical::hysterical::hysterical:
:facepalm::facepalm::facepalm::facepalm::facepalm: " Not since 1968, not even in the hopeless era of the 1990s, which some in this ground have painful memories of, have India lost six away matches on a trot. Between 1959 and 1968 they had lost 17."
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