India-Outsiders Perspective

[rabinjackman]

very nicely written article julian, but lemme remind u that India's abysmal overseas 6 test run of defeats is because of our top 7 batmsen's inability to get past 300. Even the last innings it was our tailenders who got us past the score

[express bowling]

but lemme remind u that India's abysmal overseas 6 test run of defeats is because of our top 7 batmsen's inability to get past 300. Even the last innings it was our tailenders who got us past the score

True. But I think his analysis was more about India's longer term overseas performance in tests; that is why he has written more about bowlers. The current team has a much bigger problem with the batsmen. Atleast we bowled well in Melbourne and Umesh and Ashwin are looking like future strike bowlers. The the batters are always failing.

[Karan114]

Reactions to India's poor showing in Oz Akram fears 4-0 rout for India Perth, Mon, Jan 09 2012 For a side that was world number one in Tests some months back, India have been surprisingly out of sorts against Australia and a 0-4 thrashing is on the cards for them if Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men don't improve their body language, feels former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram. His pre-series prediction of India conceding a 2-0 lead to Australia has already come true and Akram says he won't be surprised if Australia clinch the next two in Perth and Adelaide to win 4-0. "Winning matters, but to win overseas is the real thing. India does well in their backyard but are found wanting when they play on foreign pitches. When I was playing, Pakistan had won in New Zealand, Australia, West Indies and England and that made us a top side," Akram told a sports portal. The innings defeat at Sydney was India's sixth successive Test loss overseas. Akram said there is something seriously wrong in planning and execution. "India are seriously looking out of sorts. There seems to be no planning in the team. Players are just looking like individuals and not gelling as a unit. This is surprising considering the fact that almost the same team were world No. 1 just a few months back," he observed. Akram feels India's inability to match Australia's aggression has been disappointing. "It was disheartening to see the fielders lose hope as the Aussie batsmen piled on the runs. The lack of coordination between players made me feel that India are going to field for another two days," he said referring to the Sydney Test which India lost by an innings and 68 runs. "The seniors were not talking with their young bowlers. It was only Sachin Tendulkar whom I saw chatting with Ishant Sharma. Such body language was very unlike Dhoni and company," he added. "Australia were three down for 37 on Day 2 and it was the opportune time for India to strike hard. But as soon as Ponting and Clarke took control, the complexion of the Indian attack changed for the worse in just six or seven overs. The shoulders drooped and the fielding became dull. So the overall body language was very negative," felt Akram. Ž© PTI http://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/48304/akram-fears-4-0-rout-for-india

[bulbul]

Why should Vikram fear :giggle: when Dhoni himslef doesnt have nay fear

[adi B]

seriously something is wrong with the batting.... after being 271/3 we were 286/7 within minutes in sydney and thats happening quite often than not...this did not happen in the last decade where we had good #6,kumble in the tail nd our premier batsmen counted for good starts with big hundreds, but now they get out after getting a decent start+ the middle order is in complete shambles .... the oldies are not fit or getting tired quickly, maybe thats why they are not capitalizing on the good starts to score 100`s which they did few years back

[ganeshran]

The main problem is with our batting. We have never been a great bowling side but our batting has consistently been better than other sides leading to the number 1 ranking. They have failed miserably over the last 2 years. Collapses have become the norm rather than the exception and two out of the big 3 fail in almost every match. The bowling has done its job a lot of the time but simply lacks the sting to finish things off. Even during this 6-0 losing streak, we have squandered a lot of winning positions because of poor line and length and inability to sustain the pressure. Also once batsmen get set and start to score at will, bowlers simply give up and start bowling utter shyte which coupled with ultra defensive field placings lead to scores of 350-400 a day.

[julianlev]

very nicely written article julian, but lemme remind u that India's abysmal overseas 6 test run of defeats is because of our top 7 batmsen's inability to get past 300. Even the last innings it was our tailenders who got us past the score

I think of India's battng problem as a passing worry rather than a longterm danger. India will always have a great batting lineup due to the wealth of talent available. but when it comes to bowlers there just seems to be a worrying lack of genuine pace talent. Let me put it this way, it always surprises me when India do not bat well, but I am never surprised when they fail to take wickets. Just my opinion. And as I said the bowling problem is compounded by an overly defensive style of fielding and bowling which India resort to too often. One of the reasons that I still support Graeme Smith is that he genuinely knows how to organize his bowlers and field to optimize the chances of wicket taking. Dhoni is a great leader and a great batsman, but he's not much of a strategist.

[jairamesh]

Some good points, but rather exaggerating some claims

"Winning matters, but to win overseas is the real thing. India does well in their backyard but are found wanting when they play on foreign pitches. When I was playing, Pakistan had won in New Zealand, Australia, West Indies and England and that made us a top side," Akram told a sports portal.

[Cricketics]

Consistency?? Ya great consistency. Akram spread such leadership that the future pakistan continued the tradition. They have lost 0-3, 0-3, 0-3 in all their last three visits. So played 9, lost 9 in past 12 years. What a great record. Long may it continue.

[Desi Cartman]

my reaction : :facepalm: