The Commonwealth Series - Feb 2012

After a thorough battering at the hands of the Aussies who inflicted a 4-0 defeat on the Indians, it was suspected that the failure in Tests occurred because the Indian players were used to ODI and T20 conditions. To play in the Tests one needs good technique. The advent of crash cricket tournaments must be partly blamed for the fall in Test standards. Indias' failure in the Tests is a collective failure of cricket. The failures in tests are shocking considering the fact that India was ranked ICC no 1 just a year back.
Now that the ODIs commenced, India has performed better and has won all the matches, but for one. This proves that the Indian players were used to ODI conditions prior to embarking on Tests.
Just as a note, MS. Dhonis' captain cool approach slowed down the run rate considerably during the time he was batting. The required run rate increased from 5.5 to 8 and even 9. In fact yesterday he defended the last ball of the 49th over. But much to his chagrin he could not score easily of the 50th over which was bowled by Lasith Malinga.
Also cricket viewers may have noted that during the time Dhoni was batting against the Aussies, he slowed down the run rate. The game could have been finished off easily by the 47th over itself.
It may be said in favor of such a defensive approach that he tried to preserve wickets and went for the kill only in the last over. But what if it does not materialize?. What if the team loses requiring 10 runs per over in the last over and facing the prospect of playing Lasith Malinga? That is exactly what happened in the game yesterday against SL.
The approach of slowing down must be severely criticized for it is too risky and players even of Dhonis' class may not be able to finish off easy games. Also Irfan Pathan was forced into sacrificing his wicket. If one observes players such as Kallis or Lara do not coerce of force the other player to run him self out even if the other player does not have equal class. Cricket is a gentlemans' game. One must play with spirit. How can we be sure that Irfan could not have done the job when he had scored a six and some valuable runs. Such autocratic on field decisions made by the captain cool must be put to scrutiny.
But anyway congratulations to the Indian team and also wish them more successes in the future.

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