India - Opportunity Lost

[Rik E Boy]

As I write this thread the Indians have just posted 400 which is what I believe to be the break even point of view in the current test match. Every run India get from here really hurts the Aussies from now on.

The Indians have come here with a very experienced combination with perhaps the best middle order they have ever assembled in their history to play an Australian combination that despite winning 16 tests in a row is quite vulnerable due to the loss of several experienced stars in the past 18 months.

I believe that when blokes like Tendulkar, Dravid, Laxman and Gangully hang up the studs they may well look back at season 2007-08 as opportunity lost. No Indian side has won a series on Australian soil but when you consider the following facts this one might just be the series remembered as 'the one that got away'.

1. The Indian board decided against a proper preparation for the Australian tour. Only one three day match was played by the Indian team prior to the first test. The Indians have now settled into Australian conditions and this is showing by the way they have gradually improved as the series has gone on. They coughed up a test with this decision.

2. Despite all the talk that comes from the sub-continent, this experienced Indian team is not a mentally strong group like the successful combinations that donned the Baggy Green prior to this Summer. India reflected too long and too bitterly after a series of poor decisons robbed them of crucial momentum early during the second test. That second test should have been saved. The batting performance on the last day was lamentable and cost India the Border-Gavaskar trophy.

3. The selection of the Test teams has been most mystifying. Why hasn't Pathan being playing all season, or at the very least in the second test? Why persist with Yurav Singh and Wasim Jaffer in a shortened series?

4. The batting order is also a problem. I hate agreeing with waffling windbag Ian Chappell at the best of times but he is dead right about Laxman being wasted at number 6. Laxman has been one of the best this series for India but in the last two tests he has been forced to come in with the Aussies cock-a-hoop after Ganguly has failed and they have taken two quick wickets.

While the first test combination was reasonably well selected I reckon they've got it all wrong since then, even though they have started to play some solid cricket. This is the second test lineup that might have gone on to record a remarkable series win against Australia. Wassim Jaffer and Yuraj Singh were perservered with for one test too many when India did not have the luxury of doing this.

V Sewhag
R Dravid
VVS Laxman
S Tendulkar
S Gangully
I Pathan
M Dhoni
A Kumble
H Singh
R Singh
I Sharma

Australia haven't exactly lost this test either BTW, but the main difference between India's best combination and the strong Aussie combinations is belief. Deep down they didn't believe they could succeed here or the board would have opted for a proper series of warm up matches. Again they lacked belief when Symonds got a leg up from umpire Bucknor in the second test.

With all their talk about being the new number one (LOL) deep down, they didn't really believe in themselves and this is the primary reason why this series, regardless of the final result will be one they will remember with regret as opportunity lost.

regards,

REB

[rod_rooster]

Great post REB

[RustyCage]

Totally agree REB. If Sehwag and Pathan played in every Test this series, they would have won.

[hearts on fire]

well said REB.
Wasim Jaffer couldnt make the Redbacks side

[Dogwatcher]

Be interesting to see an objective Indian response to this post - (apart from the fact this site doesn't cater to Indians) From my limited experience, I don't think you'd find that among too many Indian supporters.

Great post REB.

[mighty_tiger_79]

well said REB.
Wasim Jaffer couldnt make the Redbacks side

why not, him and elliott opening the batting and set the tone for the rest of the team.

[Stumps]

well said REB.
Wasim Jaffer couldnt make the Redbacks side

Was gonna say- a test 200 would have to get you a spot in the backs top 6. Then i remembered it hasnt worked for Diz

[sasquatch]

well said REB.
Wasim Jaffer couldnt make the Redbacks side

Was gonna say- a test 200 would have to get you a spot in the backs top 6. Then i remembered it hasnt worked for Diz

Play him anyway... they let Herb in with a 199....

[LaughingKookaburra]

Yep,they have been impressive over the 2nd half of the tour. How they did not play Sehwag especially is beyond me.Next big thing in world cricket pace bowling is definatly Sharma.He has talent to burn and when your 19 knocking over blokes like Ponting you have a good future.The key is if he does not go missing like alot of young talent in India in the recent past.

[locky801]

I have no doubt they have the best batting lineup in world cricket at the moment, added to the fact they have some good fast bowlers and a couple of quality spinners makes them a damn good side, they are still a bit slack in the field but are very quickly rising to the number 1 spot in world cricket

[Hondo]

I think we play them in India late this year. That will be a very interesting series I think they might take back the BorderGavaskar trophy then. I agree with REB 'opportunity lost' is a good title for an Indian review of this series. I also think we are seeing a team on the rise and a team on the decline and the next 10 years may well see fortunes reverse.

Its been a very close, competitive series - the 1st 2 tests were closer than 2-0 scoreline suggested and they completely outplayed us in Perth so I think their mental toughness might not be too bad. We basically never lose in Perth, esp to sub-continent teams. They have targetted Ponting and so far been very successful at nutting him out.

IMO if we didn't have Brett Lee this series I don't know where we'd be ....