Indian skipper MS Dhoni would be well advised to listen to Sunil Gavaskar to stop the Test rot. Gavaskar has nailed India’s problem – the team isn’t dedicated enough.
The former captain and champion opening batsman, the first to crack the Test 10,000-run barrier in 1987, was one of the most dedicated batsmen of his era.
“The current team is taking too many days off sight-seeing when they should be at the nets, ironing out their deficiencies”.
It was Gavaskar who also criticised India’s lack of preparation for the England tour last year that resulted in a 4-0 flogging.
It wasn’t long ago India was the world’s number one ranked Test side. They are now number two, and tumbling towards four in a hurry with South Africa and Australia poised to leap-frog them.
The scoreboard tells the story. In India’s last 12 Test innings away from home, they have only managed one innings of 400, a 300, and the rest not reaching 300. They’ve accordingly been flogged in all six Tests.
* First Test against England at Lords, beaten by 196 runs – totals 286 and 261.
* Second Test at Trent Bridge, thumped by 319 – with 288 and 158.
* Third Test at Edgbaston, wiped out by an innings and 242 – with 224 and 244.
* Fourth Test at The Oval, lost by an innings and 8 – with 300 and 283.
* First Test against Australia at the MCG, lost by 122 – with 282 and 169.
* And second Test at the SCG, lost by an innings and 68 – with 191 and 400.
That’s unfathomable with a superb batting lineup of Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, and Dhoni. Between the big six they have accumulated 140 Test tons.
But in the those last six successive Test losses overseas, Dravid’s 103* at Lords, and 117 at Edgbaston, are the only centuries in 120 dismissals. There’s a message right there.
The carnage is likely to continue on the lively bouncier WACA wicket starting Friday, unless India gets its act together.
And they won’t achieve that by sight-seeing. Good old fashioned hard toil is the only answer.
Dhoni disagrees. “The only way to clear the head is get away from cricket altogether, and regroup”.
The third Test will prove if Sunil Gavaskar, or MS Dhoni, are on the right track.
The Boundary Rider
Roar Rookie
Endless net sessions won't help India when their problem isn't technical. It's desire and application, particularly of some experienced players that is their problem.
john_galt
Guest
of course.. so a single triple means clarke has suddenly become the patron saint of cricket oz? guys like tendulkar play the ipl but also carry the weight of mediocre teams...maybe captain clarke needs to learn to do the same? or have we forgotten the 47 all out just a few tests ago...what was the ipl & t20 ditching captain's contribution on both those innings??
jamesb
Guest
maybe MS dhoni got the captaincy due to politics and popularity amongst Indian fans. he did seem clueless at times. Also leading a side that has Tendulkar, Laxman, Dravid and Sehwag wouldn't be easy
formeropenside
Guest
Then move the World Cup! Yes, I know its important to beat England, but doing it like this feels wrong.
Chris
Guest
It was really unavoidable due to the World Cup on that year. And in answer to your question "what is the point of winning in England?" - to beat the Poms. You need another reason? The best Test series in recent years was the Aus-SA one where there were 3 Test played in each country just a few months apart. Rather than complaing we should be rejoicing that we get the chance to beat England 10 times in the space of six months!!
formeropenside
Guest
The worst thing is, apparently India are back again in three years time in 2014-2015: more often than an Ashes series (and taking the spot the Ashes traditionally have). Thats ridiculous. In 2013, first Australia heads off to England in Jun-Sept, and then goes off to India to play 7 meaningless ODIs, and then hosts England for a return Ashes series in November 2013 - Jan 2014. At least both England series remain 5 Tests. But what is the point of winning in England? To hold the Ashes for 3 months? After that, its off to SA for 3 tests. Shame, ICC, and to CA for agreeing to it.
Bob
Guest
These guys need to have a look at Michael Clarke who doesn't play IPL or T20 at the moment. If they want to be good test crticketers again they need to ditch the circus stuff.
Justin
Guest
If Harris doesnt play then this could be up for grabs. If he does then I think AUS win again comfortably...
Chris
Guest
I suspect both Dhoni and Gavaskar are right. The team isn't dedicated enough - that much was abundantly clear on the second day of the Sydney Test. But I also agree that a few more hours in the nets for Tendulkar, Dravid, et al isn't going to be of much use either. Can't wait for Perth! On current form Australia should go 3-0 up in the series.