Dispirited India Perplexed By England

Decimation is perhaps an understatement when it comes to India’s loss at The Oval yesterday. Indian wickets kept tumbling like a pile of cards at a poker table. The Indians seemed to be browbeaten by the English bowlers and were looking hapless at the crease without the faintest idea about how to tackle the conditions. The worrying part about this loss is the lack of determination, the will to put up a fight. Indian batsmen seemed to have given up ever since the first ball was delivered from Jimmy’s hands.

After scoring a meager 148 in the first innings, India had to make early inroads and ensure that England did not get too ahead in the game. With such seamer friendly conditions, one would expect any bowling line-up to put on a good show. Allowing England to get to 486 reflects the inexperience of the current lot and shows just how badly India need quality pacers. Ishant Sharma was the only bright spot as he picked up 4 wickets with a healthy economy. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Varun Aaron had vile strategies in mind and bowled a bad line throughout the innings as the English batsmen left 3 out of the 6 balls that they delivered in an over. While Bhuvi has not been in the best of fitness lately, he can be arguably excused for his lack-luster performance but Aaron has some thinking to do if he wants to sustain and play regularly for his country.

As bowling disappointed, the batting ensured that England could finish the test in 3 days. Broad, Anderson, Jordan and Woakes ran through the entire top order by top level, relentless pace bowling and giving nothing away for the Indian batsmen to capitalize on. The way they exploited the conditions was commendable and it was a thorough show to Test-Class bowling. The likes of Gambhir, Pujara and Kohli were soft targets and provided no resistance whatsoever as India quickly slumped to a 3-1 loss.

After getting a 1-0 lead at Lord’s, the Indian fans did believe that post the 4-0 thrashing in 2011, this new-look Indian side was capable for providing the much needed redemption. But the suicidal cricket that followed perhaps sums up how poor Indian cricket can get in overseas conditions. The lack of footwork at the crease, the poor slip-catching, an absolutely sorry looking bowling and a dismal captain is a synopsis of India’s outing. With questions being raised about Dhoni’s captaincy, one must remember that a leader can only show the way; getting there is the job of his comrades. A captain thrives only when his team does well, and as none of the departments showed any promise, it is highly ridiculous to blame Dhoni for what occurred in the past 3 weeks.

As the limited over series draws close, India must leave the Test Series behind and focus on the task ahead. With new faces in the form of Samson and Karn Sharma in the side, the Indians must look to put on a better show now. The limited overs game has always suited this Indian Team more than the Test scenario and they must step up and show just why they’re the reigning World Cup champions. While Kohli and Dhoni are the crucial elements to this team in the batting department, others must complement the mainstays and ensure that the team clicks as a unit.

Will India succumb to the pressure and give in to the conditions again? Or will we see this young new side rise up and give England a run for their money?

Only time will tell.