I have grown up watching India losing one series after another in almost all overseas tour. Every loss has left me sad and disappointed but has never affected my spirit and true love for the Indian cricket team. I was an ardent fan even when Venkatesh Prasad was our strike fast bowler and Vijay Bhardwaj was the best all-rounder.
We have been white-washed by Australia in past as well and there is no shame in losing. Even we are the most difficult team to defeat on our home ground. And Australia knows it better than many other countries.
What hurts me is the attitude. While in a deep crisis situation after an inning's defeat, our captain is talking about when possibly he plans to retire. I think in all possibilities he will not be in the team by then.
Our 'God' is thinking more about his 100th hundred and in the process not even making 10 runs. All his worshipers would agree that he has this unmatched love with the number '100' that makes him play slow and cautiously whenever he approaches one. This has caused India 10-20 runs many times in the slog over. But one shouldn't speak ill about the all-mighty.
Before this series, we had at least one batsman who had the skills and technique to bat on fast and bouncy pitches. Unfortunately he has been bowled more number of times than he came on the crease. The wall has come down. Even Dravid needs to realise this.
Lets talk about our biggest reason of recent overseas win - Virender Sehwag. I shouldn't comment on his shots as he has a NOC from the whole country to play rash strokes. He didn't even play with so called 'complete freedom'. Fighting his inner self, he tried being cautious and inadvertently got out nudging deliveries shamefully. So our biggest strength is luck? A matter of chance that Sehwag will play?
One player that we all relied on was VVS. The kolkata innings was certainly one of the best days of my 'cricketing' life. But again, he lacked intent. It looked as if he has given up even before coming on to the crease. I hardly saw any wristy strokes or the elegant cover drives that Laxman is made of. It was more to do with his mind than his form.
We never attacked. Spread the field for tailenders and never tried to run that extra run. The series was lost in mind after the second test match. Anyone remembers Kumble coming in to bowl with bandage all across his head? This team lacks that courage to fight. That's why this loss is different.
We have been white-washed by Australia in past as well and there is no shame in losing. Even we are the most difficult team to defeat on our home ground. And Australia knows it better than many other countries.
What hurts me is the attitude. While in a deep crisis situation after an inning's defeat, our captain is talking about when possibly he plans to retire. I think in all possibilities he will not be in the team by then.
Our 'God' is thinking more about his 100th hundred and in the process not even making 10 runs. All his worshipers would agree that he has this unmatched love with the number '100' that makes him play slow and cautiously whenever he approaches one. This has caused India 10-20 runs many times in the slog over. But one shouldn't speak ill about the all-mighty.
Before this series, we had at least one batsman who had the skills and technique to bat on fast and bouncy pitches. Unfortunately he has been bowled more number of times than he came on the crease. The wall has come down. Even Dravid needs to realise this.
Lets talk about our biggest reason of recent overseas win - Virender Sehwag. I shouldn't comment on his shots as he has a NOC from the whole country to play rash strokes. He didn't even play with so called 'complete freedom'. Fighting his inner self, he tried being cautious and inadvertently got out nudging deliveries shamefully. So our biggest strength is luck? A matter of chance that Sehwag will play?
One player that we all relied on was VVS. The kolkata innings was certainly one of the best days of my 'cricketing' life. But again, he lacked intent. It looked as if he has given up even before coming on to the crease. I hardly saw any wristy strokes or the elegant cover drives that Laxman is made of. It was more to do with his mind than his form.
We never attacked. Spread the field for tailenders and never tried to run that extra run. The series was lost in mind after the second test match. Anyone remembers Kumble coming in to bowl with bandage all across his head? This team lacks that courage to fight. That's why this loss is different.
