Its been ages since I last wrote an article.Had loads of things on my mind.But finally, like my idol Rahul dravid said "like a creaking terminator I AM BACK".I am actually heart broken as I write this note.It is really sad to see whats happening in the ongoing India-Australia "Agneepath" series.I think it is aptly named.It is nothing less than war.But judging by whats going on its more of a one sided slaughter.The famed Indian batting line up looks lathargic.Yes indeed.No other word comes to my mind.It is an established fact that australian pitches are fast and bouncy.A child playing in the gullies of small villages can tell you that.It is by no means an easy task.But,we entered into the series as firm favorites.We were playing against a test team whose scorecard recently read 21/9,and we had come from two back to back wins and almost a third win.For the first time all Indians believed that 'midas' Dhoni would do something no captain had done before.Win a test series down under.But alas we hope and expect too much.Well we have our reasons too.The two highest test run getters bat for us at no 3 and no 4.We have a bowler who is perhaps the best bowler with an old ball.A bowler who gave a great test batsman,ricky ponting,all sort of nightmares.We were confident.we were prepared.we were raring to go.
The tension was mounting ,mind games had already started.Ganguly and Chappell were at each others throats again.We cheered ganguly.Something that was not new for Indian cricket.But yet just 6 innings into the series,we are failing.And failing miserably.
To criticize is easy.But then again as mere spectators what else can we do?
So here I am doing what we are good at.Criticizing.
I am not here to blame.I am here to merely analyze whats going on.
Starting with the top order.
Gautam Gambhir-A guy without a test century for the past 32 innings.Yet has his place cemented in the side.true that he has had some good fifties in between but is that good enough?All his dismissals have shown he is extremely susceptible to the ball moving around his off stump.He is not sure whether to play at it or leave it.That is not how a top order batsman should play.Time to introspect Gauti.
marks-2/10
Virender Sehwag-well no one tell him how to play.He plays his shots.If they come out well then we cheer ,if they don't we question his technique.Sehwag will always play in the same manner.And I believe he should.The last thing India needs is a cautious Sehwag.Because we all know he is weakest when being defensive.Lets hope he regains his touch.SOON.
marks-5/10
Rahul Dravid-A man who entered the series as the highest run getter in tests in the calendar year.A man who was in tremendous form.Well he has not looked at all comfortable.A sight very rare .It was evident it was an extremely hard fought fifty in the first test.Normally you associate him with someone who is really comfortable everywhere in the world.Its time he regains his sublime touch.Our middle order looks very gullible otherwise.
marks-6/10
Sachin Tendulkar-I am too small a person to write about him.Lets hope he gets that elusive 100th 100 soon.So that he can get rid of all the media pressure.Looks in good touch at the moment.Has looked by far the best Indian Batsman.Has to capitalize on his starts.
marks-8/10
VVS Laxman-He says aussie agression brings the best out of him.We are yet to see that best.Has given his wicket everytime.Needs to be a lot more cautious.He has always performed.He is used to playing memorable and special innings.India need a lot more of those if they have to win the series.
marks-4/10
Virat Kohli-Going into the test as one of the best ODI players of the year he has failed to deliver.He has looked good against the short ball.Something rare.A little tentative during the start of his innings.Has to get rid of the fear and play his natural game.India needs a player of his talent to perform on the big stage
marks-4/10
MS Dhoni-for a guy who has not scored a century outside the sub continent he has a lot to prove.He does not have a good test record.Hopefully he can improve that.Looked good today.Hope he can continue that.His batting has an impact on his captaincy.
marks-6/10
R Aswin-Going in as a spinner on fast bouncy pitches he has performed well.Has looked lack lustre in some time periods but has bowled relatively well.Should concentrate more on his bowling and leave the batting for the middle order.
marks-7/10
Zaheer khan- has proved why its so important he is fit.Superb control over the old ball.Hoping he can bowl in the same manner throughout the tour.He is the spearhead of the Indian attack and should lead by example.
marks-8/10
Ishant sharma-Is the next sreesanth.Bowls really well in one session.Terribly in the next.Has to find his rhythm.India needs his inswingers.Desperately
marks-5/10
Umesh Yadav-For a guy touring australia for the first time he has performed really well.Needs more experience at the international level.Is a great find.Should be preserved.Can be a great weapon in the Indian teams arsenal.
marks-8/10
So here it is.The Indian team has to fight.And fight hard.Because the aussies will not hold back.So please.FIGHT.We have really high hopes.
Shubhendra Pathak
The tension was mounting ,mind games had already started.Ganguly and Chappell were at each others throats again.We cheered ganguly.Something that was not new for Indian cricket.But yet just 6 innings into the series,we are failing.And failing miserably.
To criticize is easy.But then again as mere spectators what else can we do?
So here I am doing what we are good at.Criticizing.
I am not here to blame.I am here to merely analyze whats going on.
Starting with the top order.
Gautam Gambhir-A guy without a test century for the past 32 innings.Yet has his place cemented in the side.true that he has had some good fifties in between but is that good enough?All his dismissals have shown he is extremely susceptible to the ball moving around his off stump.He is not sure whether to play at it or leave it.That is not how a top order batsman should play.Time to introspect Gauti.
marks-2/10
Virender Sehwag-well no one tell him how to play.He plays his shots.If they come out well then we cheer ,if they don't we question his technique.Sehwag will always play in the same manner.And I believe he should.The last thing India needs is a cautious Sehwag.Because we all know he is weakest when being defensive.Lets hope he regains his touch.SOON.
marks-5/10
Rahul Dravid-A man who entered the series as the highest run getter in tests in the calendar year.A man who was in tremendous form.Well he has not looked at all comfortable.A sight very rare .It was evident it was an extremely hard fought fifty in the first test.Normally you associate him with someone who is really comfortable everywhere in the world.Its time he regains his sublime touch.Our middle order looks very gullible otherwise.
marks-6/10
Sachin Tendulkar-I am too small a person to write about him.Lets hope he gets that elusive 100th 100 soon.So that he can get rid of all the media pressure.Looks in good touch at the moment.Has looked by far the best Indian Batsman.Has to capitalize on his starts.
marks-8/10
VVS Laxman-He says aussie agression brings the best out of him.We are yet to see that best.Has given his wicket everytime.Needs to be a lot more cautious.He has always performed.He is used to playing memorable and special innings.India need a lot more of those if they have to win the series.
marks-4/10
Virat Kohli-Going into the test as one of the best ODI players of the year he has failed to deliver.He has looked good against the short ball.Something rare.A little tentative during the start of his innings.Has to get rid of the fear and play his natural game.India needs a player of his talent to perform on the big stage
marks-4/10
MS Dhoni-for a guy who has not scored a century outside the sub continent he has a lot to prove.He does not have a good test record.Hopefully he can improve that.Looked good today.Hope he can continue that.His batting has an impact on his captaincy.
marks-6/10
R Aswin-Going in as a spinner on fast bouncy pitches he has performed well.Has looked lack lustre in some time periods but has bowled relatively well.Should concentrate more on his bowling and leave the batting for the middle order.
marks-7/10
Zaheer khan- has proved why its so important he is fit.Superb control over the old ball.Hoping he can bowl in the same manner throughout the tour.He is the spearhead of the Indian attack and should lead by example.
marks-8/10
Ishant sharma-Is the next sreesanth.Bowls really well in one session.Terribly in the next.Has to find his rhythm.India needs his inswingers.Desperately
marks-5/10
Umesh Yadav-For a guy touring australia for the first time he has performed really well.Needs more experience at the international level.Is a great find.Should be preserved.Can be a great weapon in the Indian teams arsenal.
marks-8/10
So here it is.The Indian team has to fight.And fight hard.Because the aussies will not hold back.So please.FIGHT.We have really high hopes.
Shubhendra Pathak
No comments:
Post a Comment