Bench Strength. What? Where?

India's test batting woes aren't soon going to end, if the India 'A' team's performance in the Caribbean is anything to go by. Except Pujara, and Rohit Sharma on one occasion, other batsmen just failed to get going against a persistent and hard working West Indies 'A' bowling attack. IPL successes for Rahane & Dhawan didn't seem to count for much as both failed to the capitalize on the golden opportunity. As has been the case lately, consistency seems to elude Rohit Sharma. After a 94 in the first innings of the series, all he could accumulate was 51 runs in the next 5 innings. Manoj Tiwary too couldnt set the stage on fire and only scored one half century in 6 innings. Unimpressive for two of India's brightest young talents. Pujara on the other end was the only one to keep Indian hopes high with stroke filled, patient 252 runs in six innings, also top scoring with a 96*. Wriddhiman Saha gave a good account of himself with two half centuries. Still needs to exude confidence to be the next best wicket keeper batsman in the country after Dhoni.

What this three test series has done is push Pujara way ahead of Manoj Tiwary, Rohit Sharma & Ajinkya Rahane in the running for the replacement for Dravid in the test side. Pujara will be the front runner to take over the no 3 position left vacant by Rahul Dravid. With not more than one season of test cricket left for Tendulkar & Laxman (assumption), India need strong replacements. At this point in time, no one from the younger, inexperienced lot look capable of playing quality pacemen in overseas pitches. If the same two teams clashed in Indian conditions, the results would have been the other way round. That said, Indian bowlers performed admirably while compared to their bat wielding colleagues. Shami Ahmed stood out with 13 wickets from the series. Left arm spinner Akshay Darekar six wicket haul was India's  only 5+ wicket haul in the series whilst the West Indies had five of them. 

Argument could again lead to blaming IPL for everything thats gone wrong with our players' ability to survive test match cricket. But it isn't entirely misplaced. Rahane, Rohit & Dhawan's prolific scores in the IPL or Rahul Sharma & Awana's successes didn't get translated into good performances in tests. Bowlers are still fighting it hard and Shami Ahmed, Dinda, Bhuwaneshwar Kumar and Awana didnt passably well. India surely are going to find it tough to replace Dravid, Tendulkar & Laxman in tests overseas unless there is a radical change in how the BCCI treats younger players. Regular overseas trip a must. Under 19 teams must have camps held in South Africa, England and Australia. Add Robin Bist, Mayank Aggarwal, Suryakumar Yadav, Mandeep Singh & Unmukt Chand to the list of prospective future Indian players, we have an impressive list on paper. On overseas, it would again be the case of paper tigers. 


But for now, can't wait for Pujara to take over Dravid's role and play alongside the stalwarts & Kohli and start laying the foundation for the next gen which will take over in a matter of few years.

Unboxing the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2011-12

India versus Australia has always been the marquee series since the teams played out what is called one of the most absorbing series of test cricket in 2000-01 in India. The turnaround series. Since January 1st 2000, the two teams have played 22 test matches against each other in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Unlike no other team in recent history, with probably the exception of England in very recent times, India has an upper hand over their rivals. India has won 9 of those encounters, where as Australia have won 7 of them. Rest 6 have been draws, but draws which have played some part in upping one team's psyche over the other.

India's current tour of Australia will kick off with the Boxing Day test at Melbourne tomorrow. This series is what experts are calling 'India's best chance to defeat Australia in Australia'. I'd have to agree. While both teams look undercooked, Australia look scarily raw on paper. With no Watson their batting looks unappealing and without Johnson their bowling seems to lack depth. With Siddle and Hilfenhaus expected to lead the attack alongside Pattinson and Lyon, you get a feeling there is something missing. Bollinger would've made a difference here, he's injured too. Their woes don't end here. Their 'Mr Dependable', Mike Hussey has been going through a torrid run in the past few months. Question marks have been raised over Ponting's relevance in the team. Micheal Clarke has emerged as a good leader and his batting form has shown up too, but this is going to be his acid test too. Newcomer Warner and debutant Ed Cowan are expected to open the innings for Australia. Both have been in supreme form. But as a pair in international cricket they are untested and inexperienced. It's easy to say this is the weakest team Australia has played in a while. Looking at the team sheet doesn't quite exude confidence.

While Australia played without the services of Warne and McGrath when India toured in 2003-04, they then had Gillespie, Brett Lee and the hardworking duo of Bichel & MacGill. But their batting, especially Ricky Ponting, was in terrific form. They were then led by a capable & experienced Steve Waugh. And not to forget India's overseas jinx then. That 2003-04 series could be monumental in India having self belief that they can win tests abroad. Ganguly led by example with a century in the drawn first test at Brisbane. His captaincy was a mix of aggression and caution by which India could salvage a 1-1 draw. None of that looks too likely here. Clarke still in his formative days as captain. Batting looks far from confident enough to match up to the star studded Indian line up. Haddin is no Gilchrist. But Australians are still going to come hard at the Indians. They aren't expected to give a leeway to India in any way. Bowlers will pepper Indian batsmen with the short ball. Fielding will be top notch to cover up for other deficiencies.

Now a look at India.
Dhoni as usual underplays Australia's weak line up. He expects them to leave no stone unturned to intimidate Indians. India's biggest cause of concern though is the fitness of the bowling spearhead Zaheer Khan and their highest wicket taker in 2011, Ishant Sharma. The former has a history of breaking down in the middle of a tour, more so in the middle of a match like against England earlier this year. Ishant has had concerns with his ankle. They both have been bowling in the nets confidently and are expected to be fit for the series. These two are India's best bets to set the ball rolling. Their know how of the surfaces and Australian batting will help immensely. Without Zaheer, its difficult to see India taking 20 wickets in a match. Umesh Yadav will shore up a the third seamer. His pace and his rip will cause some discomfort. Ravichandran Ashwin walks in to the line up for this series with a reputation. Australians will be very vary of him. Pitches here will offer some spin, especially Sydney. His role will be very crucial. Australia, with the exception of Clarke, Hussey, aren't the best players of spin. Batting will be India's best chance. Australia doesn't have a Steyn or Anderson that Indian batsmen will need to guard against. Gambhir and Sehwag will tear into anything loose. Gambhir needs runs to back him. Then in the line up come the three "creaking terminators" as Dravid termed them in his legendary speech at the Bradman Oration. Dravid, Tendulkar & Laxman tour Australia for possibly the last time in their cricketing careers. This would be Tendulkar's fifth tour and Dravid & Laxman's fourth. They would love a 'test series win in Australia' in their CVs when they hang their boots. More over Dravid and Tendulkar, it's Laxman who would be giving Aussie bowlers nightmares. The numbers speak for themselves. The sixth batsman slot will be taken up by Virat Kohli after his reassuring knocks against West Indies in the tests. Rohit Sharma is knocking the doors too hard for Kohli's comfort. It's healthy competition though. So much depends on this one man, Dhoni. His unaffected demeanour, calm exterior and the passive aggressive intent not only keeps his team composed but it doesn't give a hint of what's going on in his mind to his opposite number. His wicket keeping has always been effective if not flamboyant. His batting though will be thoroughly tested by Australian pacers in this tough wickets.

Australians have a lot to pay India back for. The 2-0 'brownwash' in the 2010 series in India and the defeat in the quarter finals of the World Cup. Both teams have been beaten to pulp in the recent past by the Englishmen. This series will be a test of mettle for every player, more so for the two captains. There are some legends in both line ups. Hussey and Ponting for Australia and Dravid, Tendulkar and Laxman for India. Some upcoming youngsters in Warner, Pattinson, Lyon, Ashwin, Kohli, Yadav, Sharma & Christian. After the short (two test series) & absorbing Australia - South Africa test series acted as an 'appetizer', this series is the best 'main course' a test cricket afficionado could have asked for. Come tomorrow, brace yourself for some sleepless mornings watching the match and restless days in anticipation for next day's play.

MI vs CSK at Wankhede - An IPL 2011 Experience

First ever Guest article on Straight Drives. Shruti Mehta pens her first piece about her experiences at the Mumbai vs Chennai IPL match played at the Wankhede Stadium. 

It’s rare to find a household in India where cricket fever does not exist. I come from one where my younger brother, as every young Indian boy, once aspired to become Sachin Tendulkar. After the introduction of IPL, 4 years back, the atmosphere in my house would be electric, with each one of us choosing our favourite teams and players and cheering on. IPL 3 for me was quite an experience, as not only did I follow it religiously, I also went for 2 matches, including the spectacular finals at the D.Y. Patil stadium. However, the excitement for IPL 4 was dulled after the super exciting World Cup journey of the Indian cricket team.

The teams I decided to support this year are Mumbai Indians (I’m a Mumbaikar), Rajasthan Royals (for my marwadi roots and Dravid love), Pune Warriors (I studied there plus new found love for Yuvraj) and a wee bit support to Delhi (for the Morne Morkel love of course). So I jumped when my cousin called saying he had tickets for MI v/s CSK at Wankhede. 

This being my first visit to Wankhede left me super excited (and of course, the excitement of watching Sachin and Dhoni play live again). The atmosphere was electric with MI fans shouting away. The tickets in the Sachin Tendulkar stand offered a spectacular view and we were all set to scream our lungs out and cheer for the God. MI’s innings started off slow with a brilliant bowling attack by Albie Morkel. It was heart breaking to see Sachin get out so soon and miss the orange cap. Rohit Sharma however, chose this day to prove to others why the Ambanis paid him that huge sum.  Rohit and Ambati set the pitch on fire with their shots. Symonds also made the needed contribution to set up a somewhat achievable total of 164 for Chennai Super Kings.

CSK made a start with a boundary but what stays in my mind is the way Pollard lunged to try and stop that four. That man just stands out anywhere, not only with his height but also his excellent fielding. He just reaches out and grabs the ball where others run behind it. Mike Hussey and Badrinath seemed to have set the momentum in place when out went Hussey and the game swung back in favour of India. Harbhajan Singh was in top form, probably inspired by looking at someone holding a poster saying special ‘Pav bhajji’ for Dhoni with a very cute caricature of Bhajji.

Excellent catches and brilliant fielding led to Harbhajan Singh walking away with 5 wickets and the man of the match. I must mention that every time the commentators talked about the Mumbai Indians fielding, the camera zoomed in on a grinning Jonty Rhodes enjoying the match.

Needless to say, Mumbai Indians won the match, leaving most people in the stadium happy (except the uncle sitting behind us who insisted on abusing the MI team in a most unsporting way). 

Post this match, my interest in IPL this year is slowly coming back. It might not evoke as strong emotions as for the match winning Indian cricket team, but it’s still a joy watching my favourite players on the field. I hope to go back to Wankhede for one of the play off matches. Till then, I will be happy yelling at the TV and cheering for my favorite teams. 

Follow Shruti Mehta on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/shrumehta

Dhoni's India Rewrites History - We Are World Champions

Euphoria. Delight. Excitement. Thrill. Tears of joy. Contentment. Sense of achievement.

It was all there on the 2nd of April at the Wankhede. India defeated Sri Lanka in the most keenly contested World Cup finals since 1996. India had done the impossible, by defeating Australia and Pakistan in back to back knock out game in the quarters and semis only to fix a date with the sublime Sri Lankans in the finals. Sri Lanka had clinically dismantled both England and New Zealand in their knock out games coming in to the finals.

There wasn't much to choose from between the two teams in terms of line ups. Both teams were fielding legends on the brink of retirement. Both teams also had supremely talented wicket keeper captains in Dhoni and Sangakkara.  Hard not to bring the 1996 semi finals into focus which India lost in Calcutta after Sri Lankan spinners made a mockery of our middle order. Unpleasant scenes followed, crowds aiming missiles on Lankans, Vinod Kambli crying in the open. None of that was to be this time at the Wankhede. 

Presidents from both nations were in attendance to witness the spectacle. After the fiasco at the toss, Indians were put to field by Sangakkara. Zaheer bowled an excellent opening spell to the circumspect Lankan openers. Wickets stemmed the flow of runs. Jayawardena chose the biggest occasion to make a strong statement, he scored a fabulous 103*. Powerful surge in the slog gave Sri Lanka a confident 274 to defend. Malinga got both Sehwag and Tendulkar in his first spell. The crowd was shunned into silence. But Gambhir, Kohli put up a workmanlike stand to deny Lanka any more success on the trot. After Kohli's dismissal to a profanity spewing Dilshan, Dhoni joined Gambhir in what would now be called one of the moves that is going to be talked about for years to come. Both put on a fine 109 run partnership to almost shut the Islanders from the game. When Dhoni launched Kulasekara's second ball of the penultimate over for a huge six through long on, India couldnt have lost the game. 

The moment was savoured by Dhoni. His eyes set on the ball till it landed in the crowd. The celebrations began. Dhoni did a small jig, collected a stump as souvenir and hugged Yuvraj. Youngsters in the team streamed in to the playing area and huddled Yuvraj and Dhoni. The crowd had gone beserk so had all of India. Crackers went off at the Wankhede and the rest of India. It was Diwali all over again. There were no disagreements here, India was one. Everyone flooded the streets and the ecstasy was evident. Youngsters carried Tendulkar on their shoulders and did a lap of honour. Kohli played a crucial role with his fine 35 in the finals but what he said after the match is what is going to stay in people's minds. Every member acknowledged that the victory was a tribute to Tendulkar. 

Indian cricket team had won the World Cup and so had their 1 billion + fans world over. India had well avenged the 1996 debacle with the Championship win over the same opposition. Every time India takes field in the next four years, they will do so with the tag of World Champions attached. 28 years later India attained that glory. Special mention of valuable contributions made by Ganguly, Dravid, Kumble, Laxman and the coach courageous Gary Kirsten towards instilling confidence in this team. 

India's World Cup Highs - II

India and Pakistan met for the second time in World Cups at the quarter final stage of the 1996 edition. The match was played at Bangalore. There wasn't an inch the two teams could give one another. Wasim Akram, the Pakistani captain backed out of the match at the last moment citing back problems. Aamer Sohail was named the stand in captain. India led by Azharuddin looked good, they had played well in the group stages. Their star batsman Tendulkar was in prime touch and the middle order was scoring too.

 India won the toss and elected to bat. India had an unusually sedate start despite Tendulkar's presence at the crease. He was kept in check by Waqar and Aaqib Javed. India never scored at an alarming rate though Sidhu played well for his fine 93. India would never have reach 287 in their 50 overs but for some clinical slogging by Ajay Jadeja. He thrashed Waqar for 40 runs in his last two overs and scored a brutal 45 off 25 balls. India's total looked good for a win but Pakistani openers had different ideas. Sohail and Anwar come out all guns blazing adding 84 in the first 10 overs. Anwar was dismissed soon after.The most talked about moment of the match is the visual of Sohail challenging Venkatesh Prasad after scoring a boundary off him and the bowler uprooting his off stump. Soon after Sohail dismissal, Pakistan capitulated. With some contributions from the middle order, Pakistan reached 248. India romped home by 39 runs. 

Pakistani players went home to some rioting fans pelting stones at Wasim Akram's house for his absence from match and India went into the semi finals setting up their second showdown against Sri Lanka, the eventual Cup winners. 

India's World Cup Highs - I

This blog will come up with 5 of India's best World Cup moments since 1992 from here on till the beginning of the ICC World Cup 2011. Benson & Hedges World Cup 1992 in Australia and New Zealand was the first World Cup I watched as a 7 year old.

The 1992 World Cup down under wasnt the best campaign for India. Led by Azharuddin, we had already lost our first two games against England and Australia in closely fought games and the third game against Sri Lanka at Mackay had got rained out. India really needed a win to have a shot at the semi final slot. India's fourth game was against arch rivals Pakistan at Sydney. Pakistan, captained by Imran Khan, too hadnt had the brightest of starts to the World Cup. This was India and Pakistan's first ever encounter in a World Cup game. It was a tense game. It happened in the foreground as political tensions brewed between the two nations.

India batted first and put up a fighting total of 216 thanks to contributions from Jadeja, Azharuddin, Tendulkar and Kapil Dev. Tendulkar scored a fine 54 and was the only one to cross 50 for India. Pakistan's target of 217 wasnt steep but the pressure of expectations were immense. Both teams didnt give each other an inch. Fine bowling by Indians coupled with some nervous batting by Pakistanis resulting in a convincing India win. Barring Aamir Sohail (62) and Javed Miandad (40), no batsman could handle pressure. India registered its first win and Pakistan received a jolt to their World Cup dreams, which they eventually won.

This match was only the beginning of India Pakistan encounters in World Cups. The teams met in the next three consecutive World Cups, all of which India have won.

India's African Safari

Till not so long ago India, not-so-proudly held the tag of "poor tourists". And in that period, till 2007, amongst other countries, India toured South Africa four times and played 12 test matches; won 1, lost 6 and drew 5. A record that doesn't really befit a team which sits atop the Test rankings.

South African pitches offers Indian batsmen what they arent too comfortable with; the twin troubles of Pace & Bounce. Indian batsmen have traditionally suffered at the hands of South African bowlers in these pitches assisting pace and bounce. Even the mighty Sachin Tendulkar has looked a mere mortal in South African conditions. With three centuries in 12 test matches, South African bowlers have offered him the least to get away with in their backyard. Even Dravid, Laxman & Sehwag havent struck gold against the Proteas. But things might be slightly different this time around. India have a settled opening combination in Gambhir & Sehwag for the first time in all their tours to SA. A middle order which has three legends. A wicket keeper batsman & captain who can more than just bat. Two promising youngsters, Raina & Pujara, battling for the sixth batsman spot. Its Steyn, Morne Morkel & the less known Lonwabo Tsotsobe they'd need to negotiate. Paul Harris, the Protean spinning option shouldnt pose much of a threat to the Indian batting line up.

Indian bowlers though have been slightly more successful than their bat wielding team mates. Prasad & Srinath were a deadly combo during the 1996-97 tour. Sreesanth was lethal & Zaheer supported him well in the 2006-07 tour. But what these bowlers lacked was support from rest of the bowlers and batsmen. The pressure exerted by Prasad & Srinath was usually undone by the third seamer who let the Proteas counter attack and take runs before the pair came back to hunt. India this time has Zaheer in prime form, Ishant and Sreesanth finding rhythm and Harbhajan not in the wiliest of phases. But Sreesanth is a mercurial bowlers and can find rhythm in one good spell and once he does he can be dangerous. Zaheer will bank getting his bunny Graeme Smith cheaply consistently. Trouble is when they run into the Protean middle order, next only to Indian middle order if not equal. AB de Villiers, Kallis & Amla are all in sublime form and are determined to go into the World Cup with victory against India.

This series will be watched by all cricket enthusiasts for its between the two most successful teams in recent times. With the one sidedness of The Ashes, the significance of India versus South Africa has increased multi folds in the context of the game. India has no reason to not feel confident about their chances. They have achieved success in the bounciest wicket in the world at WACA, Perth against Australia in 2008. To do well and achieve success here will be the best preparation India could ask for before the World Cup and a perfect adieu to Tendulkar, Laxman & Dravid who have traveled thrice to South Africa without achieving a series win and quite certainly are playing their last series in South Africa.

Author of this post also writes on http://www.isport.in/

Indian Cricket since 1996 - Part 2

World Cup 1999 to World Cup 2003 eve

Pepsi World Cup 1999 in England

India headed for the World Cup with a good team and an experienced captain in Azharuddin. India began its campaign unsuccessfully with a defeat against South Africa, but hit a great low by losing to Zimbabwe in the next game falling prey to some extremely indisciplined bowling, terrible running between the wickets and Tendulkar’s absence from the team. This defeat made the next three group games must win for India. And they did just that. Ganguly & Dravid put up big hundreds to amass a score of 373 for 6 against Sri Lanka. In the super sixes, India faced eventual winners, Australia and lost convincingly despite a fighting hundred by Jadeja and a desperate partnership with Robin Singh. India faced Pakistan in the most awaited clash of the World Cup at a time when the two countries were engaged in a war back home. It was touted to be a high adrenaline match with tempers flaring. But it wasn’t to be, India trounced Pakistan in a relatively low scoring match where Indian bowlers came up trumps. India’s semi final hopes were dashed even before they played their last super six game against New Zealand owing to some funny calculation system adopted by ICC. India lost the match against New Zealand, and thus ended their campaign, where though lot was promised, not much was delivered. Dravid, Ganguly & Srinath were India’s stars from the World Cup. Dravid remained the highest scorers of the tournament.

1999

The unsuccessful World Cup campaign was dealt with severely by the BCCI and Azharuddin was sacked as captain & dropped from the team and Tendulkar was reinstated. Robin Singh was overlooked for he was the oldest member of the team at 36 and selectors looked at nurturing younger talent. India toured Sri Lanka for a tri series involving Australia. Indians played below par in the series and didn’t reach the finals despite Tendulkar’s century in severe back pain in a crucial match. Their next campaign was the Singapore Challenge against Zimbabwe & West Indies. India was crushed by Ricardo Powell who carted bowlers to all corners of the ground in the finals and we eventually lost.  Next up India won the DMC Cup, 2-1, played against West Indies at Toronto as Indian government refused to allow the team to play Pakistan even in a neutral venue due to political tensions. The team here was lead by Ganguly in Tendulkar and Jadeja’s absence. Ajay Jadeja was at the helm for the LG Cup held in Nairobi. India played the round robin games like real champions with unknown faces like Sunil Joshi and Vijay Bharadwaj making valuable contributions. But it was in the finals that India realised how inept we were at handling pressure.

After a more or less disappointing ODI season, India faced New Zealand at home in a three match test series. India won the series 1-0 on perfect featherbeds and dust bowls. The series would only be remembered for Tendulkar's first double century in the second test at Ahmedabad. In the ODI series that followed, India defeated New Zealand 3-2 in games most of which were high scoring. Tendulkar came up with his highest ODI score, 186* and India posted it highest ODI total 376.

This was followed by one of the most disappointing tours India has even been on, the tour down under. India’s morale wasn’t helped by the then secretary of BCCI predicting a 3-0 whitewash. It came true though. Australia blanked India 3-0 in the test series. Indians weren’t allowed to dominate a single session of play in the entire duration of the series. The only high points for India from the series were Tendulkar superb century at Melbourne, Laxman stunning 167 in an attempt to save the Sydney test and of course Tendulkar being adjudged Man of the Series despite his team’s loss. The test series loss affected the psyche of the players and the ODI series involving the hosts and Pakistan was no different. India only managed one win in the 8 matches they played in the series.

2000

South Africa toured India with a strong resolve to avenge their defeat in 1996. Hansie Cronje had put together a strong team, with a terrific batting line up and an equally strong bowling attack. India, for the first time in 13 years lost a home test series. South Africa defeated India 2-0. India had Tendulkar and Azharuddin scoring hundreds, but for South Africa it was their bowling which never let Indians dominate. Allan Donald was at his best, supported by Shaun Pollock and Nicky Boje. In the ODIs that followed India defeated South Africa 3-2 in the five match series. Sachin Tendulkar informed the BCCI that he would like to step down as the captain after the ODI series following two series defeats. The decision was shocking, but seemed to be in the best interest of the team as India really needed him as a batsman. Sourav Ganguly was soon handed over the mantle of captaincy of the Indian cricket team. His first two assignment as a captain were forgettable. The Coca Cola Cup at Sharjah against Pakistan and South Africa and the Asia Cup in Sharjah. India failed to reach the final in both and managed two wins both put together.

All was well with the world of cricket till Hansie Cronje decided to make a confession, a confession that was going to rock Cricket and scar the game.  Cronje, the maverick South African captain, pleaded guilty of accepting money to underperform. Not once, not twice, but on a number of times. This was going to open a can of worms. He would himself be banned for life by the CSA and his co-offenders Herschelle Gibbs, Henry Williams were handed suspensions. But for India, the can of worms was hurtful. Mohammed Azharuddin, one of the most respected figures in Cricket was banned for life for alleged involvement in the match fixing scandal, so were Ajay Sharma, former India cricketer and a Delhi Ranji player and Manoj Prabhakar. Five year suspensions were handed to current Indian cricketers Ajay Jadeja for alleged closeness with one of the bookies and Nayan Mongia who along with Prabhakar were accused to throwing a match against West Indies in 1994 by purposely batting slow. Indian Cricket stood jolted by two of their cult cricketers being suspended, one for lifetime and the other for 5 years.

With the appointment of former Kiwi opener John Wright and having got some time off the game to put behind the events that unfolded, India looked for some change of fortunes in the ICC Knockout Trophy in Nairobi, Kenya. India wasn’t rated too highly and weren’t expected do too well. India brushed aside Kenya to set a date with Australia in the quarterfinals. A match that will be remembered for Tendulkar sledging McGrath and charging down the track to hit him over long off. A mini collapse saw debutant Yuvraj Singh battling a lone battle. He scored a magnificent 84 off 81 balls as India toppled top ranked Aussies. Zaheer produced a peach of an inswinging yorker to see off Steve Waugh. Thus two warriors who would take India to the next generation were born. India defeated South Africa in the semi finals in  a clinical performance and met New Zealand in the finals. New Zealand had defeated the much favoured Pakistan in the semis and looked good as did India. India started confidently and looked to bat the Kiwis out of the game, but Chris Cairns had different ideas. He choked runs and Indian panicked. Lost wickets in a heap and could only manage a modest 264. Cairns again came to the Kiwi rescue and scored a brilliant hundred to break a million Indian hearts. India still took a lot of heart and positives from the tournament after coming back almost from the dead.

A disappointing three nation tournament in Sharjah against Sri Lanka & Zimbabwe followed. Indian batting hit rock bottom against Sri Lanka being dismissed for 54 on a senile Sharjah pitch. India also aided Muralitharan in getting his career best figures of 7/30 in one of the matches. India was one of the most vocal supporters of Bangadesh in getting their Test berth. Bangadesh also invited India to play the inaugural match in Dhaka. A workmanlike century by Captain Aminul Islam, a solid batting performance by Bangladesh & a fine all round effort by Sunil Joshi were the highlights of an otherwise dull game which India won by 9 wickets. India was then toured by Zimbabwe for two test and five one dayers. India won the first of two test and Zimbabwe managed to draw the second. Andy Flower was Zimbabwe hero scoring a mammoth 544 runs in two test matches that included a fantastic 232 not out at Nagpur. India thrashed Zimbabwe 4-1 in the one day series.

2001

India began preparing to host Australia for a three test match series. Australia had by then conquered everything they laid sight on. India was their “Last Frontier”. Indian batting looked strong but the bowling, feeble. Anil Kumble had been sidelined by a shoulder injury, and playing against Australia, India missed its frontline spinner. Harbhajan Singh who last played for India in 1999 was recalled into the team. The first test at Mumbai went as expected. Accurate Australian bowling had India in tatters in both innings and the visitors romped home by 10 wickets. Tendulkar, Harbhajan Singh and another test recall VVS Laxman were the only positives from the match. Before the second test at Kolkata, Indian selectors scrutinized spinning options from all over the country to support Harbhajan. Australia started the 2^nd test on the right note, scoring around 400 runs on the first day. A Harbhajan hat trick in the last hour of play on the 1^st day jolted the Aussie march but when India came on to bat, the Aussie scored looked Himalayan. Replying to Australia’s 448, India was skittled out of for a measly 174 and were expectedly asked to follow on. Ganguly, in one of the moves that makes him one of the best to have lead India ever, sent Laxman one drop instead of Dravid who seemed to struggle a bit. Laxman looked in ominous touch. He and Dravid put on a gargantuan partnership of 361 taking India to safety. Laxman scored a phenomenal 281 and was ably supported by Dravid who scored 180. Putting Australia into bat in the 2^nd half of 1^st session of play on the 5^th day chasing 260, India struck gold with picking wickets early and at regular intervals. Hayden was the only confident looking Aussie. Harbhajan snared another 6 wickets and Australia succumbed to defeat in what could be described as one of the best Test matches of recent times. India had well and truly snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. The third test at Chennai too was keenly competed. After a Hayden double century, a century by Tendulkar and another Harbhajan special with the ball, India were left to chase 126 on the final day. In the bid to score the runs quickly, India began to lose wickets in a heap. Harbhajan & Dighe displayed composure and took India to a fabulous 2 wicket win.  This series has gone down in the history of the game as one of the best competed.

India’s next assignment was a two test series in Zimbabwe followed by a tri series involving West Indies. India won the first test but on a bouncy, seaming track in the second test India lost the plot and the game. The series stood drawn 1-1 and India were embarrassed by the result. The ODI series was won by West Indies after defeating India in the finals. This was followed by a tough tour of Sri Lanka where India had to deal with total absence of Tendulkar owing to a back injury. The series saw the Indians play around with the batting order with only Ganguly remaining constant. This is also the series where Virender Sehwag emerged as an opener for India. His blazing 108 against New Zealand gave India a place in the finals they was eventually lost. The test series will be remembered for Muralitharan magic delivery to remove Indian opener Sadagopan Ramesh, bowling him with a delivery that pitched way down leg stump. After losing the first test convincingly, India pulled back the second at Kandy, but lost the third test by an innings. 

India’s tour of South Africa will be remembered for two major events. One, the debut of Virender Sehwag who scored a magnificent ton his first test alongside Tendulkar who scored blazing ton to take India to safety and two the Mike Denness issue where the match referee accused Indians of over appealing suspending Sehwag for a match and accusing Tendulkar of ball tampering in the  second test. The issue was blown out of proportion by the BCCI and ensured change of match referee in the 3^rd test. After losing the first test and drawing the second, India played South Africa in an unofficial third test for India refused to play the test when Sehwag’s suspension wasn’t revoked. The tri series involving the two teams and Kenya was won by South Africa. India reached its low point when they lost to Kenya in one of the league matches. The final between India and South Africa was a one sided affair where accurate bowling by the hosts had the Indian batting hopping on a placid track at Durban. South Africa won the series and left India with some thinking to do.

2002

England toured India with a team less than full strength. But lead by shrewd Nasser Hussain, it showed it didn’t lack character and will to fight. After losing the first test in Mohali, they drew the next two tests. Hussain got Giles to bowl outside the leg stump to Tendulkar to curtail his run and frustrate him. Giles did succeed in getting the maestro out stumped by persevering bowling the same line. The ODI series that followed was again well competed in by England. After conceding a lead of 3-1 to India, England came back to square the series, 3-3.

India toured West Indies in the summer of 2002 hoping to change fortunes from their previous Caribbean tour in 1997. First test was a drawn after fine performances by Chanderpaul & Hooper for West Indies and a fine hundred by Laxman for India after which rain took over. India won the second test at Port of Spain but lost the third. The 4th match was a high scoring draw. Anil Kumble's dedication towards the game was at the fore when he came on to bowl after a Merv Dillon delivery broke his jaw while batting. He not only bowled but picked the wicket of Brian Lara. The hosts wrapped up the series with a fine win in the fifth test. West Indies gave a terrific account of themselves with brilliant performances by Chanderpaul, Hooper & Dillon.

India's tour of England in late summer was monumental for reasons more than one. India won the Natwest Trophy triangular series and also drew the test series 1-1. The Natwest final win is considered amongst India's best till date. The way the two youngsters, Yuvraj & Kaif took India to the finishing line was remarkable. A win became a distant dream when the India was at 140 for 5 in 23 overs. Yuvraj, Ganguly & Tendulkar had a wonderful series with the bat. The Test series saw the rise of Indian batting line which after losing the first test at Lord's played exceedingly well in the next three to win the third test at Headingly by an innings and salvage a drawn series. Dravid was in sublime form with two centuries and Sehwag, Tendulkar, Ganguly & Agarkar chipped in with a century each.

The Champions Trophy of 2002 boosted India's confidence going into the 2003 World Cup. India played with great flair and excellent camaraderie and eased through Zimbabwe, England to meet South Africa in the semi finals. In a chase of 262, Proteas were easing at 194 for 1 when Gibbs retired hurt after scoring 116. The rest of the team fell like pack of cards to lose the game by 10 runs. India met Sri Lanka in two rain curtailed finals and the trophy was shared. India seemed to have found its combination for the World Cup.

India convincingly beat the touring West Indies 2-0 in the test series and the ODI series was looked at as an opportunity to tinker with the team composition. India tried out many combinations and in a high scoring series West Indies outran India 4-3. India, before the World Cup made a trip to New Zealand for a two test and seven ODI series. In typical seaming, bowler friendly wickets India lost to the hosts 2-0 in a low scoring test series and 5-2 in the ODI series. India bowling was flourishing but the batting seemed to have taken a battering with the exception of Sehwag who scored two centuries in the ODIs. Ganguly was apologetic with his team's performance. These pitches seemed to India like how spin minefields seem like to visiting tourists in India. He though had no reason to be too apologetic about. India had done exceedingly well over the last 12 months and one off series wouldnt affect their World Cup preparations much.

Sourav Ganguly over the last year and a half had done world a good for the Indian team. Test wins in West Indies and England, the Natwest Series win, shared trophy at the ICC Champions Trophy; he had proved to be one of the best captains in recent times. Not only that, the team respected him as a leader and he showed confidence in youngsters in the team. Yuvraj, Kaif, Dinesh Mongia, Zaheer, Nehra, Harbhajan, Parthiv Patel were all players who bloomed under his captaincy. He showed confidence in Rahul Dravid by bringing him back into the ODI team and made him wear the wicket keeping gloves so he could have the luxury of playing an extra batsman. India were well on their way towards a great World Cup campaign lead by Ganguly, under the guidance of coach John Wright.

Inflicting the Brownwash!

Sachin Tendulkar’s roar and exult on scoring the winning runs in the second test might have surprised a few, but not me. The 37 year old little big man has seen and been through almost everything in Cricket. But something he might have only dreamt of was pulled off by India in the two test series against the Australians.

India inflicted a "Brownwash" on the Australians! And Sachin Tendulkar was living a dream!

1991-92

Almost twenty years back, on the eve of the Benson & Hedges Cricket World Cup of 1992 held in Australia & New Zealand, India toured down under for a five match test series. India went there with a team which looked a great mix of youth and experience lead by an inspirational Azharuddin who was in his 2nd season as the captain. India lost the series 4-0 and drew a game at Sydney, thanks to Shastri’s double hundred and a fine 148 by Tendulkar who was only 2 years old in international cricket. Seniors in the team; Kapil, Vengsarkar, Srikkanth came a cropper. India succumbed to the pace and accuracy of McDermott, Mike Whitney, Bruce Reid & Merv Hughes. The Sydney draw saved India of a highly possible “whitewash”.

1999-00

Similarly, in the Australian summer of 1999, India toured down under with Tendulkar as their captain. They then depended on a flat track bully Devang Gandhi and a stiff Sadagopan Ramesh to give the starts against a rampaging Aussie pace attack of McGrath, Gillespie, Brett Lee and Warne to lend spin support. Indians, not even in one game posted a 400+ score. Batsmen with the exception of Tendulkar looked awry. Even Dravid and Ganguly looked uncomfortable and failed to make an impact. The test series was lost 3-0, whitewashed by the Aussies. That hurt!

Circa 2010

Ricky Ponting came to India looking to conquer his final frontier; to win a test in the land he could never win in as a captain even with the best team at his command in 2004. He lost 0-2 in a four match series in 2007. This time he came with a team that didn’t look even a shadow of what his previous two teams in 2004 and 2007 were. Ten absolutely fantastic days of Cricket later, India achieved what we last did to a top test playing nation in 1993 to England; we “brownwashed” Australia. The hurt we bore in 1991-92 and 1999-00 was cooled by some finery by Indians throughout the series. Neither team could claim ownership or dominance of a day’s play in either test match except for the last days of both matches which India galloped away with. Thats how closely contested the series was. An area where India convincingly outdid Australia was their resilience to fight it out in testing times; something Indian teams in the past were guilty of lacking. Marcus North’s career saving ton, Mitchell Johnson’s five wicket haul, Watson’s century, Ponting’s three half centuries; all were performances that required an “X Factor” effort to yield results. Zaheer’s eight wicket haul in the first test, Laxman’s splendid match winning 73*, captain Dhoni’s move to send a debutant at no 3 to save the experienced for later and the debutant; Pujara scoring an impressive 72 on the last day of the second test can all be counted as “X Factor” efforts; where the player put his hands up and played a crucial innings or bowl a match altering spell. Sachin Tendulkar though deservedly won the Man of the Series; the team did not entirely rest on him for a win. The youngsters made their place in the team count.

For Australia, their Vice Captain Micheal Clarke looked in woeful form. In Bollinger’s absence, bowling looked weak. Hauritz looked unpenetrative. Australia probably long lost their test dominance, but falling to the depths of being brownwashed would bring up serious concerns in their camp for England looks in fine rhythm to retain the urn when they travel down under this winter. And for India, though the win can be rejoiced over a long time, well begun is only half done. To keep the no 1 test team tag they will have to tame the Kiwis at home and the Proteas in their own backyard.