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The reaction and attitude of India’s cricketers and officials after losing the Border-Gavaskar Trophy gives a clear, and sad, indication of their mentality towards Test matches away from home.
This mentality also means that we shouldn’t expect India to be winning an away Test series against quality opposition any time soon.
Over the last couple of weeks, there have been numerous examples that have given a rich insight into how India views away Test series.
BCCI chief Narayanaswamy Srinivasan said after India lost the Third Test: “Australia played better in their home conditions, (but) it will be different when they come to India. New Zealand is coming to India next and that will be followed by England and Australia.
“We will beat these three teams on our own soil. They cannot beat us here and we will feel very happy.”
This statement came directly after the WACA Test, in which Indian fast bowler Ishant Sharma and batsman Virat Kohli sledged David Warner by saying he’d average 10 runs less on Indian wickets.
Then there was Gautam Gambhir fronting a press conference ahead of the Fourth Test stating that, among other things, Peter Siddle hadn’t improved, Australia prepared wickets that unfairly suited their attack, and that India should start preparing wickets that suit their strengths, to capitalise on opponents technical weaknesses against spin.
Apart from the absurdity of not taking any personal responsibility for having a terrible tour, and being severely found out for a lack of technique against short bowling, Gambhir’s comments were made to sound even more ignorant by the fact India have been preparing spinner-friendly wickets for as long as I can remember.
Off-spinner, Harbhajan Singh, who is currently out of the side, also chimed in, saying “. . .there is nothing to worry about. We are world champions after all, and we will be back in our elements soon.”
All these comments and statements leave no one in any doubt as to India’s mindset. It’s blatantly obvious that they only care about winning home Tests. Which is as arrogantly short-sighted as it is stupid.
India’s away record speaks for itself. They have never won a Test series in Australia or South Africa, arguably the two best Test playing nations of the last 20 years. And they have now been hammered 4-0 in both England and Australia.
Considering the two nations bitter past, criticism from any Pakistani towards India should be taken with a grain of salt, but fast bowling legend Wasim Akram summarised it perfectly when he said, “Seven straight overseas Test losses should send the BCCI a clear message: there is something seriously wrong in the way India are playing cricket.
A team that was recently world No. 1 cannot afford to be just kings at home.”
It’s hard to believe that as recently as August 2011, India were the number one ranked Test team in the world. If ever the ICC Test rankings were shown to be flawed, surely it’s the fact that India could claim top spot despite struggling to beat good teams away from home.
But lest a legend like Wasim Akram, or a hack like me, be accused of being unfairly harsh, criticism of India’s current attitude has also come from some former Indian legends, who are equally at odds with their current hierarchy’s viewpoint.
Kapil Dev slammed the BCCI with this comment: “They are doing extremely well when it comes to making money and controlling world cricket. But what is the use if your team fails to win matches abroad?”
Ravi Shastri chipped in by stating that he believes you’re not a real cricketer until you establish yourself on Australian wickets: “My dad told me early that you are not worth your salt if you don’t score in Australia.“
And Sunil Gavaskar expressed the view that the current skipper is a prime example of everything wrong with the Indian team: “With his technique, I don’t see how Dhoni can score runs overseas.
“He has a strong bottom hand and is good on the subcontinent, where the ball does not bounce much.”
As for Indian pitches, Gavaskar made it clear what he thinks is required. And it was in stark contrast to Gambhir’s thoughts: “I think we need pitches which are a bit more even for the (fast) bowlers.”
When Australia was flogged in the Ashes last year, it led to some intense introspection. It was made quite clear that Australia was not going to accept losing.
The Argus Review, either directly or indirectly, led to a change of coach, captain, selectors, management and structure.
While the effects and benefits of those sweeping changes may not be fully felt for a few years, it certainly appears as if Australia are on the right track, with dividends already being paid in the form of a series victory, and pleasing individual performances.
India needs to adopt a similar honest appraisal of their cricket.
There is no issue with India being proud of their home record. However, the true test of a cricketer is performing against all opponents in all conditions.
India, through their record, play and attitude, clearly place next to no importance in winning Tests away from home.
The unfortunate aspect is that until they change their attitude, they’re not just holding themselves back.
With their status as the most influential cricketing nation in the ICC, their arrogance towards Test match cricket has the effect of holding the entire game back.
You can follow Ryan on Twitter @RyanOak