India Vs England: What Lies Ahead

Our worst nightmare has come true, India is on the verge of first series defeat in 3 years. It will also be the first time, that India will be losing a test series under Dhoni’s captaincy, if they fail to win the remaining two tests. The last time India lost a test series was in Sri Lanka, when Mendis wrecked our batting order. Barring Sehwag and Gambhir up to some extent, the entire Indian top-order failed miserably in that test. Things have changed dramatically since then. In a span of 3 years India went on to become World champions for the second time in the 50 overs game and number one, in the test format. Yesterday was the first time that India has been outclassed by a team since it reached the pinnacle of test cricket.

India had come from behind on many occasions during their reign at the top. Most recently in South Africa where they were thoroughly outplayed by South Africa in the first test but came back strongly to draw the series. South Africa has been the most alien territory for both the batsman and bowlers of team India. But both of them raised their game at the right time and helped India to make a strong statement.

But, what went wrong in England?

Everyone was expecting India to raise their game after the debacle at lords, which they did perfectly in the first two sessions and reduced England to 124-8. But England took away the initiative with the help of some determined batting from their lower order batsman. The same was repeated on the second day too. India was in full control of the match till tea but unlike their bowlers on the first day, our batsman fell like a pack of cards. Even after winning 4 sessions out of a possible 6, the match was equally balanced. After two days of see-saw battles between the teams , the third day gave some clarity about how the match would end. Suddenly India ran out of ideas, our fielders were positioned badly, their batsman kept scoring boundaries behind third man but still no one plugged the gap and to make matters worse, India again for the second time in a row were forced to play with three bowlers.

England celebrating the wicket of Sachin Tendulkar

Interestingly after the debacle of 1974, India never lost more than one test against England in a test series. Those were the times when winning an overseas test was an alien concept to the India team. However, as compared to the other countries, England has always been an easier outing for India.

England’s rise in test cricket is as significant as India’s ascendansy to number one. Before the start of this series India has been undefeated for past 11 series whereas England were undefeated in their last 8. England has won 18 of their last 29 test matches in which they won 8 matches by an innings victory. On the other hand India has won just 15 of their last 3o test matches but never won as convincingly as England did. Statistically England is the most dominant team, currently in test cricket.

However, England still has to prove their credentials in the sub-continent and it won’t be so easy. Even Australia during their hay days found it difficult to tackle sub-continental conditions. Though India is yet to win a test-series in South Africa and Australia, they have been winning consistently and have improved their performances considerably.

Still there are two more tests to go in the series and India will expecting to attack with their full strength. Virendra Sehwag will be arriving today in England which it should boost the team morale. Zaheer and Gambhir are also expected to join the team for the third test. India must raise their game, if they want to save themselves from any further embarrassment. The England team is looking rampant at the moment. They can bat deep down the order and their bowling is looking fierce. The next few weeks will decide in which direction this Indian team will be heading.

As for the fans, relax, calm down, it is not the end of world. This is the same team which has been winning consistently over a period of time. It is the same team which gave us the biggest gift of winning a world cup three months back. These are hard times for team Indian and they need the support of their fans.