Anand Philar
Write off even an itsy-bitsy Australia at your own peril! That was one of the most significant messages that Ponting's team sent out while clinching the series at 4-2 with one match to go. The comprehensive and clinical manner in which the Aussies took apart India at Guwahati on Sunday not only underlined the visitors' bench strength but was also a tribute to the system that routinely produces 'tough as nails' cricketers.
If anything, the defeat only underlined the fragility of Indian cricket that is more about individuals than team. The ongoing series highlighted the fact that the Indian team is just a collection of stars while Australia indeed is a star team. You need to applaud the contributions by the new faces in the Aussie squad that was virtually on its last legs with injuries to about half-a-dozen of its frontline players.
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Even the most loyal of Indian fan would have to admit that Dhoni's men were just not up to it in dealing with the Australians who combined better as a team as opposed to the home team's pronounced dependence on a couple of its 'star' players. It is one thing for Dhoni to admit to the poor starts besides inconsistency as reasons for the debacle, but quite another to come up with remedial measures.
For sure, there will be hysterical calls for chopping and changing, but even if these are carried out for the forthcoming series against Sri Lanka, it would only amount to a knee-jerk reaction. Dhoni's Indians might yet go on to beat the Lankans, perhaps with a 'new look'team, but such measures are only short-term, but not necessarily address the rotten system that governs Indian cricket.
From flat pitches to over-hyped performances that have often pushed a fledgling colt into a Derby race, Indian cricket authorities, not so much the players, need to revisit the system that churns out stars but not team players.
In sharp contrast, the Australian system ensures that the player who gets the baggy green deserves it. The Aussie authorities are reluctant to pick cricketing babies from the cradles and put them among the men, as we tend to do in India. I firmly believe that the Aussies do the right thing by having talented youngsters prove themselves at the first class level before earning the right for selection to the National squad.
Critics don't know about the pressure of expectations
Here in India, we tend to give too much credibility to teenagers scoring runs or taking wickets at the junior level and pitchfork them to the highest level where they struggle to find their feet. Ishant, for instance, barely had a first class game before he played for India. True, he did justify his elevation initially, but where is he today? He cannot even hold a spot in the Indian team. Same is the case with Yusuf Pathan, a fine all-rounder who has been cast aside for no fault of his own. Yet, we now talk about the lack of 'genuine' all-rounder!
I followed the coverage of the Mumbai schoolboy who scored some 400-plus runs in a Harris Shield match. Acres of space and airtime were devoted to this boy with no analysis of the quality of bowling he faced. Even Tendulkar and Kambli did not receive so much attention two decades ago for similar performances in the same tournament. I can imagine the weight of expectation on the young boy's shoulders now each time he goes out to bat.
Reverting to the current series, it doesn't need an expert to say that the Aussies outplayed the Indians in every department of the game. The difference between the two teams was even more glaring in batting where the Indians flopped. Barring the game at Hyderabad, India never had a good start and Sehwag, on his comeback, has a best of 40. The rest, including Tendulkar, have been far too inconsistent and yes, the batting flab is showing in more ways than one.
In bowling, the Indians by and large struggled. Harbhajan yet again is the leading wicket-taker with eight from six games while the rest haven't matched their reputations. Less said the better about India's fielding that has been more about butter fingers than athleticism. I do wonder whether the BCCI would now shop around for a foreign fielding coach. At the end of the day, the Indian players have to be disciplined and committed to their fitness or else, even a Jonty Rhodes will be of little use.
Sri Lankan team arrives for Test series
Going into the final game in Mumbai this week, India can only play for their pride or what little there is left of it. Regardless of the result, Ponting's Australia continues to be the best team in the World and damn the rankings!
For sure, there will be hysterical calls for chopping and changing, but even if these are carried out for the forthcoming series against Sri Lanka, it would only amount to a knee-jerk reaction. Dhoni's Indians might yet go on to beat the Lankans, perhaps with a 'new look'team, but such measures are only short-term, but not necessarily address the rotten system that governs Indian cricket.
From flat pitches to over-hyped performances that have often pushed a fledgling colt into a Derby race, Indian cricket authorities, not so much the players, need to revisit the system that churns out stars but not team players.
In sharp contrast, the Australian system ensures that the player who gets the baggy green deserves it. The Aussie authorities are reluctant to pick cricketing babies from the cradles and put them among the men, as we tend to do in India. I firmly believe that the Aussies do the right thing by having talented youngsters prove themselves at the first class level before earning the right for selection to the National squad.
Critics don't know about the pressure of expectations
Here in India, we tend to give too much credibility to teenagers scoring runs or taking wickets at the junior level and pitchfork them to the highest level where they struggle to find their feet. Ishant, for instance, barely had a first class game before he played for India. True, he did justify his elevation initially, but where is he today? He cannot even hold a spot in the Indian team. Same is the case with Yusuf Pathan, a fine all-rounder who has been cast aside for no fault of his own. Yet, we now talk about the lack of 'genuine' all-rounder!
I followed the coverage of the Mumbai schoolboy who scored some 400-plus runs in a Harris Shield match. Acres of space and airtime were devoted to this boy with no analysis of the quality of bowling he faced. Even Tendulkar and Kambli did not receive so much attention two decades ago for similar performances in the same tournament. I can imagine the weight of expectation on the young boy's shoulders now each time he goes out to bat.
Reverting to the current series, it doesn't need an expert to say that the Aussies outplayed the Indians in every department of the game. The difference between the two teams was even more glaring in batting where the Indians flopped. Barring the game at Hyderabad, India never had a good start and Sehwag, on his comeback, has a best of 40. The rest, including Tendulkar, have been far too inconsistent and yes, the batting flab is showing in more ways than one.
In bowling, the Indians by and large struggled. Harbhajan yet again is the leading wicket-taker with eight from six games while the rest haven't matched their reputations. Less said the better about India's fielding that has been more about butter fingers than athleticism. I do wonder whether the BCCI would now shop around for a foreign fielding coach. At the end of the day, the Indian players have to be disciplined and committed to their fitness or else, even a Jonty Rhodes will be of little use.
Sri Lankan team arrives for Test series
Going into the final game in Mumbai this week, India can only play for their pride or what little there is left of it. Regardless of the result, Ponting's Australia continues to be the best team in the World and damn the rankings!
