India vs Australia - the "Agneepath" massacre

The "Agnee" has truly burnt the team beyond comprehension (forget the "path")

Sorry to have started this article on a cynical note, but considering the kind of form or the complete lack of it, that the Indian cricket team is experiencing is heart-breaking both for the players and the fans alike. The problem lies everywhere from the bowling to the batting to the fielding, nothing has gone right for the team that prior to the start of the series, boasted of a brighter chance to win considering the tottering and supposedly “weak” Australian team.

Aussies celebrating – A common sight

Indians have no doubt been made to eat humble pie by the hands of the kangaroos. How else can one explain a squad, expected to learn some lessons from the disastrous tour of England, still play juvenile cricket in another international test series. None can argue about the quality of the playing turf for the opposition has time and time again been able to amass a huge total to which the Indian reply has fizzled out on a regular basis.

Here are some of the glaring problems:

• Misfiring openers – Throughout the tournament, the openers have been performing badly on a consistent basis. Both Sehwag and Gambhir have proven to be quick wickets as far as the Aussies are concerned. In the series till now, they have, put together, scored only 262 runs (a long way from the one monstrous innings of 329 from Michael Clarke). For the Indians to salvage any pride leftover from the past few months of mauling, the openers have to fire and in a big way.

Sehwag walking back to the pavillion

• Middle order at fault - The main reason why a team is balanced after the loss of the openers is the composure of the middle order. However, this tour has seen a performance of a completely contrary nature. The batsmen have been all over the place apart from the crease that is. It is truly disappointing to see the likes of Rahul “The Wall” Dravid being torn down by the Aussies a la the Berlin Wall. Also the loss in form of the proverbial leech that is VVS Laxman, known for sticking around the crease for long periods of time and really sucking the life out of the opposition attack, has really hurt the team a lot. And who can forget the Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar, who in all fairness is apparently succumbing to the pressure of scoring his 100th century. His playing style has been encompassed by the aura of negativity, which he should get rid of, if the team is to have a “brighter” future.

So close yet so far from the 100th ton

• Bowling woes - The best bowlers for India till now have been Zaheer Khan and youngster Umesh Yadav, who have both picked up 12 wickets at economy rates of 3.29 and 4.31 respectively. Compare this to the top Australian bowlers, Ben Hilfenhaus and Peter Siddle and you will see the difference. With 23 wickets at a miserly 2.74 economy rate, Hilfenhaus has proven to be a reliable and integral part of the Australian bowling attack. Siddle has also shown his bowling prowess with 17 wickets at an economy rate of 3.52. This above comparison was done so that the readers can realize the depths of the Aussie attack and pit it against the shallowness of the Indian one.

Another wicket for the fiery Aussie attack.

Adding insult to injury is the rising form of Australian players who in the past were heavily criticized for the lacklustre performances. One of the prominent examples is Michael Clarke whose leadership was questioned time and time again, hence affecting his style of play. His never-ending innings of 329 has instilled a new-found confidence in him. Same goes for the “Sehwag” of Australian cricket, David Warner (although performing better than Sehwag in recent times). History has been testament to the fact that India seems to bring out the best from the players that are down and out and written-off as under-performers (not something to be proud of).

An ecstatic Clarke after demolishing the Indians

What India should now concentrate on doing, is doing their homework properly and put up a good show in the last test match. It’s the least they can do considering the strong Aussie resolve, reflected in the words of Michael Clarke who so confidently said,

“Anything less than 4-0 will be disappointing.”