The No.1 Test team and it’s regular Batting Collapses

Ever since India dislodged Australia from the No.1 position in ICC rankings, Test Cricket rankings have come under lot of focus. A lot of it is to do the fact that as a Nation we fret over Numbers and percentages and rankings especially when it’s about topping any list from Xth, XIIth Board results to IIT/IAS/IIM toppers list to Sports rankings. For years Aussies were at top of table in ICC rankings and we hardly bothered. Though one has to admit the Aussies were so dominant and won so convincingly every time that there was no need to look at a chart to know who was the best. The slide of the Oz team when the stalwarts hung their boots and rise of India under MSD coincided. In a three way contest between Australia /South Africa /India for No.1 position, India came up trumps.

The Deserving No.1 ?

Ironically out of 10 test Matches that India has played including the ongoing test with the Kiwis, 7 test matches were played with BCCI using its clout to organize Test Matches which were not part of Future Tour program. While there are no prizes for guessing if any of test match would have been played had India not reached the peak, one has to give it to Indian team that they consolidated their position by playing good competitive crciket against the teams that complete the top 4 in the rankings. While many experts in India and outside have doubts on India being the best what with our less than stellar show overseas , a dodgy bowling line up that have struggled at times to bowl out opposition, the Men in Blue has banked on their batting strength to cover the chinks in their bowling armor. The usual Sehwag blitzkriegs that ensure that India get a quick upper hand, the Houdini acts of Laxman to snatch victories from most improbable situations, The Little Master’s ever increasing hunger for runs, the young guns coming good when it matters have made this Indian batting line up the most dangerous and respected currently. Dhoni has always been a lucky man. His decisions and gut feelings have almost always worked for the team. 6 victories and 2 losses in last 10 matches is not a mean achievement. Also the experienced Fab 4 of the batting line up are at the best of their game off late which has covered the more than normal failure of middle and late middle orders. This is one aspect of team’s performance that has become alarmingly routine.

A brief look at the batting collapses in recent matches indicates that it’s not a one off case that can be brushed aside.

Ind Vs SA , 2010 in India

This series was for the No.1 title, an unplanned series that briefly looked like a real bad decision.

In the first test at Nagpur, India slipped from 3 for 192 to 233 all out once Sehwag departed after scoring 109. A scorecard showing 221/4 to 233/10 wasn’t a showing by the best Team in the world. That Dale Steyn chose to display the best of fast bowling didn’t help the matter either. India lost the test by an innings.

Ind vs SL, 2010 in Sri Lanka.

A contest that no body wants to see before 2012 just for the sheer no. of games played with them in past one year. With a depleted bowling line up , it was always going to be difficult to be the Lions at home but India lost the first test more because of their batsmen then bowlers. From a relatively comfortable 5 for 252 to 276 all out on a placid track in first innings, it was difficult to come back in the test.

Ind vs Aus, 2010 in India.

In terms of intensity and quality of Cricket played, India-Aus matches are getting a cult status. India had run Ozzies close even during their heydays and this time around Aussies were the underdogs if only just. At Mohali India Slumped from 5 for 382 to 405 all out in first test thus handing a 23 run lead to the Oz which at the end could have proved decisive if not for a Laxman special and Ishant guts that gave us one of the most memorable and thrilling test matches ever.

In the second test at Bangalore India once again folded up from 5 for 486 to 495 all out in the first innings making most of us weary of another close finish going to the final day. Thankfully the Pujaras and Vijays raised their hand up to be counted and India cruised to a 2-0 series win

Ind vs NZ, Nagpur 4^th-8^th Nov. 2010

The underdogs who have been thumped a shameful 4-0 defeat by the minnows Bangladesh last month. A full Strength Indian Team playing its First Choice XI after long . A raw bowling unit who were not seen capable of taking 20 wickets in a Test match. Predictions were made of 3-0 whitewash with bets being placed on matches ending within 3 days. When Dhoni won the toss after long jokes were made that Kiwis could not beat India even at coin flipping. At end of first day with anothet Sehwag Assault and back in colour Dravid who have been struggling for form off late, it was I told you So show on TV and in newspapers.

Day 2 same old story unfolded. from 3 for 383 to 8 for 412 before Bhajji provided some fireworks and entertainment to the crowd.. Indian team would know the perils of taking an International team lightly. There’s a lot left in the match still.

5 such collapses in last 8 test should be a cause of major concern to team management. Captain Dhoni would know that half of the problem is his poor run with the bat. In the same test matches Ojha, Ishant, Mithun, has shown great application at times. But the tailenders need a batsmen around to really hold on. Likes of Dhoni and Raina are required to steer the batting with the tail. Today’s pyro works aside, Bhajji has been a dud with bat recently. In the absence of a genuine all rounder in team like since forever, the No. 8 and No. 9 have the onus on them. Bhajji along with Zaheer are no mugs with bat and need to apply themselves that much more. Hope Dhoni’s recent poor run with bat is an aberration and like the ODI’s he builds the innings with the tail batting around him

Now what do we do Gary?

The series against the Kiwis is perfect platform to iron out this weakness of Indian Team. When playing in South Africa and England, the second chance may not be enough to stamp our No.1 authority on world cricket.