Fairytales and Nightmares

As I write this article, we have almost lost the Fourth test barring the proverbial Fat Lady to sing her song. Australia deserved to win in the manner they did and the 4-0 margin of defeat clearly reflects the difference in attitude, application and preparation of these sides. Before the tour began, Australian’s had a not so good series with New Zealand and South Africa. They had a string of below 100 all out innings and had a spate of injuries to some key players (Shane Watson, Pattinson). Their stalwarts were not able to get big scores and critics were asking for Ponting and Hussey’s head. Everyone thought the rebuilding of the new side would take much longer. India on the other hand a full strength squad after a long time and we thought our batting will score runs by the buckets against this poor second string Aussie attack. But that was before the tour!

The two sides have been like chalk and cheese, or fairytales and nightmares or love and marriage or any other paraphrasing for the wide chasm between the two teams. In my mind, the fortunes changed on two critical turning points in this series. The first one was when Sachin got out towards the end of Day 1 at MCG and from then on began the Indian slide downwards. The second I thought was when, India took the pressure off Ponting by removing Zaheer and bringing on Ishant as soon as Ponting came to bat. We brought him into form and he is talking of the next Ashes tour already.

Tactically, India lost the plot with being unimaginative. First, they should have asked Sachin to play the ODI series against WI and get that big monkey off his back by scoring the ton-of-tons. Then I thought we were very rigid in our team selection. If the team management thought so highly of the playing eleven, then why did they carry the rest of the players around? Poor Rohit Sharma and Pragyan Ojha should have been given at least one outing to prove their worth. They should have blooded in Rahane in place of Gambhir in the final test. Our planning was also poor. The bowlers did not have specific plans for key players, field placements were unimaginative and we lacked the motivation to create opportunities. This style of MSD to wait for things to happen is hurting us badly.

So here is my assessment of the individuals from the two sides:

INDIA

• Virendra Sehwag : He is done as an opener. His attitude to not play in and then score is hurting us. If he stays in the side, he should bat lower down the order.
• Gautam Gambhir: His coach said on the radio that he has a problem outside the off stump, has a problem with short pitched stuff. So why is he still in the side as an opener? These are two basic things required of an opening batsman.
• Rahul Dravid: I am his big fan, but he himself would admit that he has been sorted out by the opponents. Getting bowled out so regularly is not something he would like to remember. He would also call it a day once in India I think.
• Sachin Tendulkar: Flashes of brilliance, but the monkey on the back weighed down heavily on his performance. He missed a golden opportunity to end this last Australian tour in style. I think he has also disappointed a fairly large cross section of his fans who toured to see him reach that milestone.
• VVS Laxman: Not Very Special anymore. I think he should call it a day now. He had ample opportunities to bring in those classy match saving knocks, but all of them went begging. As fielder too, his reflexes are not the same anymore.
• Virat Kohli: He realized the danger lurking around his position in the form of Rohit Sharma and quickly made amends. He has shown maturity in batting but he needs to show the same level of maturity in his behavior both on and off the field. 
• MS Dhoni: Questions are being raised about his leadership style in Test matches, his keeping and therefore his position in the team. He is not a captain for the test matches period.
• Zaheer Khan: Much was expected off him in this series. He produced a couple of brilliant spells but not enough to turn the tide. As a leader of the bowling unit, he did not show any spark.
• R. Ashwin: The selectors had given him a blank cheque by dropping Bhajji, but he had to cash it. Unfortunately, he did not. As the leading spinner in the side, he was required to be imaginative, but he lacked the guile. The opponents figured out his variations quickly and from then on he was pedestrian.
• Umesh Yadav: The find of the series in my opinion. It feels nice to see a young lad running in and sending the wood work cartwheeling. He needs to be nurtured and guided. I hope he does not go the Ishant way.
• Ishant Sharma: Probably will be dropped after this tour. He has not learnt from the Aussies and has wasted a golden chance. He will not find such wickets again for a long time.
• W. Saha: Good wicket keeper and showed some spine to stay at the wicket and score runs. With MSD firmly in the side, he is going to be sidelined again.
• Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane and Prgyan Ojha: Why were they not played?
• Duncan Fletcher: He has not shown the level of readiness that Micky Arthur or Andy Flower have shown. I think he will be the sacrificial lamb after this tour. Eric Simmons’ contribution too will be questioned.

AUSTRALIA

• David Warner: He is Australia’s answer to Hayden’s retirement. Can be lethal when in form. He will form a good opening pair with Shane Watson.
• Ed Cowan: Started off nicely, but he has his problems. Will be replaced by Shane Watson. 
• Shaun Marsh: Possibly the only failure from Australian side in this series. His position will be challenged.
• Ricky Ponting: I would have liked to see him retire, but we ended up reviving his career. He showed grit and determination in the face of some very strong criticism. When the runs came, he ensured that he cashed in and scored some big knocks.
• Michael Clarke: The Pup has matured as a captain and is here to stay in that role. His batting was never questionable, but his leadership was. He has now shown that he can be tough and his press briefings were also mature and respectful of the opposition. He is like Mark Taylor in many ways.
• Michael Hussey: Hard working cricketer who will possibly survive till the Ashes because there is no replacement. What he lacked in runs, he compensated with hard work.
• Brad Haddin: Australia needs a new wicket keeper. Haddin is losing his skills rapidly and he is not getting younger either. So we will definitely see a change.
• Peter Siddle: The star of this series in my mind. He has always given 100% every time and produced results. He was thrust into the role of the bowling captain, and he took that responsibility on his shoulders. He has also improved as a bowler and therefore troubled the batsmen.
• Ben Hilfenhaus: He has wickets to his credit, but I have doubts. He will probably be in the team for some time. Due to his ability to swing the ball, he may even go to England.
• Other Bowlers: They came in and did their job commendably. All of them bowled well and to a plan.
• Micky Arthur: Great preparation and execution of plans. Ably assisted by Craig McDermott as the bowling coach.