Serious cause for concern

[Sachinism]

Excuses were at hand during the England tour. But we've done the same this test match. Failed to capitalize on a good period of play by totally giving the advantage away. The last 3 Aussie wickets added about 200 runs (through both innings) Second innings, we batted 48 overs :WTF: First innings, let slip advantage after being in a commanding position. We believe we're slow starters, don't think that's the issue here, we had plenty of time in the country, a few meaningless practice games and it hasn't made a difference. We have been pathetic overseas. In the 9 overseas test this year we've managed to win 1, that too against WI Do we drop Gambhir for Rahane or take SCG will be easier to bat on? Does Kohli make way for Rohit? Seeing how most of the team played here, would Rohit have really done any better? I am worried this is going to be another horrific tour

[Karan114]

Fundamental problem is the batting has gone from arguably the best in the world to utter rubbish in the space of a year. Even Bangladesh made 380+ in their most recent away series in England, yet we haven't passed 300 in eight away Tests in a row. There was big talk from the likes of Rohit Sharma on how we would expose the Aussie batsmen with swing - well, the Aussie batting is not great but our own batting line-up is full of walking wickets right now. Pattinson, Hilfenhaus, Siddle (with Harris capable of coming in for 1 or 2 Tests) is going to keep ripping through our batting throughout the tour so I agree this is shaping up to be another disaster, only difference being that if Yadav/Zaheer stay fit, the margins of defeats might be reduced a little. I don't think Rohit/Kohli or Gambhir/Rahane will make any difference.

[Sooda]

^ Yep. and if we drop Hussey like we did and allow another 80 odd to be added on, not to mention the inability to clean up tails then it is asking for trouble. This is where not blooding the younger batsmen a bit earlier might come back to bite us in the ass. Virat, Rohit and Rahane with a few tests under their belts, even home one, could have maybe helped. It will be expecting too much from them to save us now.

[deathmonger]

Fundamental problem is the batting has gone from arguably the best in the world to utter rubbish in the space of a year. Bangladesh made 380+ in their most recent away series in England, we haven't reached 300 in eight Tests in a row. There was big talk from the likes of Rohit Sharma on how we would expose the Aussie batsmen with swing but our own batting line-up is full of walking wickets right now. Pattinson, Hilfenhaus, Siddle (with Harris capable of coming in for 1 or 2 Tests) is going to keep ripping through our batting throughout the tour so I agree this is shaping up to be another disaster, only difference being that if Yadav/Zaheer stay fit, the margins of defeats might be reduced a little. I don't think Rohit/Kohli or Gambhir/Rahane will make any difference.

This. Only way we can win. Like Pakis won in Oval against Poms and in Headingley against Oz. Chasing 160-170 target. Achieving that too with 6-7 wickets loss. No way we winning by huge margins.

[Ramzz]

Kicking negative captain Dhoni out will help big time. He has become too defensive and s a walking wicket anyways. Let him stick to ODI and t20's. Bring in Dinesh karthik or whoever has a better technique. Make Viru the captain on a series by series basis.

[deathmonger]

Weve put up a better fight in this test then we did in any of the 4 in England. Clutching at straws but that is something.

Our bowling has been a lot better. Batting is the same rubbish with tailenders batting more maturely than top order batsman. The openers, Dhoni and no 6 are near useless.

[bulbul]

Main concern this is our best possible eleven while Ozzies are without theire 3 good players.. Eventhiough Harris and cummins not missed...thye surely Missed Watsons bowling...

[Karan114]

Main concern this is our best possible eleven while Ozzies are without theire 3 good players.. Eventhiough Harris and cummins not missed...thye surely Missed Watsons bowling...

Correct, their best attack on paper was Harris, Cummins, Pattinson and Watson. Puts into perspective all those excuses we made about injuries in England.

[Sidhoni]

Right now we have our best bowling attack we have had since Kumble's retirement. It's definitely the batting where we are lacking despite of having the Top 2 run-scorers ever.

[saneindian]

Where is the mental fortitude that we displayed in SA? After that thrashing at Centurion, the way we stunned SA at Durban on one of the worst pitches of recent times was amazing to watch. However, from the WI tour onwards, it has been all downhill. Barring RD, no one is willing to fight it out, leave enough balls even if it means looking ugly. Sehwag's dismissals point to that lack of application. He has now failed with that cavalier attitude of his in each of the last 4-5 series outside SC (NZ 2009, SA 2010, Eng 2010 and now here). Still he has learnt absolutely nothing. Its not that he has struggled to middle the ball like Gauti or VVS in this test. But the way he throws his bat at everything is ridiculous. No respect for the conditions? No lessons learnt? And its not that he has played like that all the time. In 2008 or in 2003 , in Aus he used to be watchful, left a lot of ball and punished the bad balls, bu he was not impetuous. These days, its as if he doesn't care anymore. Having said that, the biggest issue is with the leadership. far too often strong positions have been thrown away due to ridiculous fields and bizarre bowling changes. Batting may still recover, especially if the track isn't as spiteful as this one was, but the captaincy issue is not going to be solved any sooner . And that for me will be the reason why we are looking at a thrashing again.

[bulbul]

Where is the mental fortitude that we displayed in SA? After that thrashing at Centurion, the way we stunned SA at Durban on one of the worst pitches of recent times was amazing to watch. However, from the WI tour onwards, it has been all downhill. Barring RD, no one is willing to fight it out, leave enough balls even if it means looking ugly. Sehwag's dismissals point to that lack of application. He has now failed with that cavalier attitude of his in each of the last 4-5 series outside SC (NZ 2009, SA 2010, Eng 2010 and now here). Still he has learnt absolutely nothing. Its not that he has struggled to middle the ball like Gauti or VVS in this test. But the way he throws his bat at everything is ridiculous. No respect for the conditions? No lessons learnt? And its not that he has played like that all the time. In 2008 or in 2003 , in Aus he used to be watchful, left a lot of ball and punished the bad balls, bu he was not impetuous. These days, its as if he doesn't care anymore. Having said that, the biggest issue is with the leadership. far too often strong positions have been thrown away due to ridiculous fields and bizarre bowling changes. Batting may still recover, especially if the track isn't as spiteful as this one was, but the captaincy issue is not going to be solved any sooner . And that for me will be the reason why we are looking at a thrashing again.

i guess we have to stop that talk of how we done well in SA...they biggest chokers around..every tesm is doing well there.. OZ drawn series even after bowled out for 47 in previous innings Now SL pwning them earlier in the year 3ngland got a draw there... I dont thin playing well in SA no longer guarantee how good you are..

[jusarrived]

We are a team low on self belief , need a big win to trigger that old confidence we had . on paper this is arguably our strongest/most balanced linup ..but half the team is not in form .

[howzatandall]

i guess we have to stop that talk of how we done well in SA...they biggest chokers around..every tesm is doing well there.. OZ drawn series even after bowled out for 47 in previous innings Now SL pwning them earlier in the year 3ngland got a draw there... I dont thin playing well in SA no longer guarantee how good you are..

Comments like these is why I always support the team playing against India, I even supported England!!! The most arrogant supporters around and quite frankly extremely rude and keep on pulling out these lame excuses and insult every nation possible and there players. Still no series win for the choking over-hyped Indians Go Australia!!!!!

[The Realist]

Massive problems both short term and long term for this team which is on its last legs. One of the major issues is Dhoni is no longer worth his place in the team as captain or batsman. The rot has started at the top and failure to acknowledge serious structural problems makes it even worse. Dhoni after the game: Asked if he is worried about his batsmen, Dhoni said, "Not really. They are very experienced batsmen. You have to give credit to Australia bowlers for the way they bowled. They kept a nagging line outside the off-stump and that's why they got us." Dhoni also lauded Australia's lower-order batsmen for making significant contributions to their total in both the innings. "Bowlers brought us back in to the game. We were short by 50-odd runs in the first innings. Their lower-order scored some runs, if we had got them earlier, we would have had 50-60 runs less to chase," he said. Dhoni also seemed optimistic about making a comeback in the series when the second Test starts in Sydney from January 3. "We are known to be tentative starters, I think in the next game we will be slightly better." :facepalm: Time for Dhoni and some of the old guard to go either gracefully or be kicked out. The rebuilding has to begin now.

[prinzo]

Sachinism Excuses were at hand during the England tour. But we've done the same this test match. Failed to capitalize on a good period of play by totally giving the advantage away. The last 3 Aussie wickets added about 200 runs (through both innings) Second innings, we batted 48 overs First innings, let slip advantage after being in a commanding position. We believe we're slow starters, don't think that's the issue here, we had plenty of time in the country, a few meaningless practice games and it hasn't made a difference. We have been pathetic overseas. In the 9 overseas test this year we've managed to win 1, that too against WI Do we drop Gambhir for Rahane or take SCG will be easier to bat on? Does Kohli make way for Rohit? Seeing how most of the team played here, would Rohit have really done any better? I am worried this is going to be another horrific tour

SA welcomes INDIA to the world of Choking , simple

[peterparker]

This. Only way we can win. Like Pakis won in Oval against Poms and in Headingley against Oz. Chasing 160-170 target. Achieving that too with 6-7 wickets loss. No way we winning by huge margins.

these pitches are meant for that only...not for 400 runs..

[peterparker]

at least..bowling is there..they should not let go the pressure..26/4 down...south africa,pakistan etc get teams out below 100 usually

[peterparker]

i guess we have to stop that talk of how we done well in SA...they biggest chokers around..every tesm is doing well there.. OZ drawn series even after bowled out for 47 in previous innings Now SL pwning them earlier in the year 3ngland got a draw there... I dont thin playing well in SA no longer guarantee how good you are..

true

[NareshK]

Looking at the team's performance, Gambhir looks woefully out of sorts. One of the biggest reasons for the team not scoring well is we are not getting good starts, in England as well as here. He seems to be struggling against balls bowled outside off stump, like Yuvraj did and it pretty much ended his career. He is also not very comfortable against short pitch bowling. I dont know what the hell happened to Laxman. He is looking completely clueless in foreign conditions and doesnt seem like he could score any runs. In the short innings he played, he didnt look comfortable against the pacers and looked like getting out any minute. His usual timing is not there. No.6 has always been a problem. I never thought Ganguly was a good enough batsman in tests. His replacements have been even worse though. Raina in England and now Kohli in Australia dont seem to be good enough for the big league. Maybe Rohit is the one we are looking for. Sachin looked great with his timing during the time he spent at the crease in both innings. Dravid struggled a bit but he made a good contribution in the 1st innings and so did Sehwag. So they are fine. Before this tour, I thought bowling would be a big problem. But with Umesh Yadav and Zaheer bowling brilliantly and Ashwin and Ishant giving good support, the attack looks good. The batting is letting the team down though.

[rabinjackman]

lots of kids in this forum :woot: