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Teams from the subcontinent, such as India and Sri Lanka, rely heavily on individuals to carry the team to victory unlike their western counterparts, South Africa, Australia and England, who rise above opponents by means of a professional team effort.
Additionally, any cricket fan would be aware that subcontinent teams are certified pushovers when playing overseas on responsive pitches because, let’s face it, they are poor competitors.
What is concerning is that as a result of recurring insipid performances, the glorious game of Test cricket ends up the biggest loser.
Here are some stats that state the obvious:
In Australia
Of 37 matches, Australia have won 29 and India five Tests.
Of 10 matches, Australia have won nine and Sri Lanka none.
In South Africa
Of 15 matches, SA have won seven and India two.
Of 10 matches, SA have won eight and Sri Lanka one.
In England
Of 49 matches, England have won 23 and India four.
Of 13 matches, England have won six and Sri Lanka two.
This clearly indicates the gulf in quality between the top teams and the rest.
In recent history, India suffered humiliating Test series defeats in both England and Australia in 2011 and Sri Lanka is currently in a state of shambles in Australia, following their meek surrender in less than three days in the Boxing Day Test.
If batsmen accustomed to playing on flat wickets struggle on bouncy tracks, shouldn’t the bowlers then have the ability to snare 20 wickets on responsive pitches? Or does this imply that these teams can neither bat nor bowl successfully away from home?
In the highly anticipated Test series in Australia in 2011, India managed to bowl out Australia only on three occasions out of five innings and in the same year in England, they could dismiss England only twice in six innings.
Sri Lanka has bowled out Australia only once in three innings so far in the on-going Test series.
The teams have a long way to go before they can even come within a bull’s roar of the standard of cricket played by South Africa, Australia or England.
Apart from perpetual concerns such as incapable administration, lack of sporting pitches back home, technical flaws and lack of application by players, one area they need to earnestly consider is fitness.
The fitness and athletic ability of players from the subcontinent are light years away from their western counterparts. The Australian team put Indian cricketers to shame in regards to agility and picture perfectness.
One can’t rely solely on talent to survive in sport; success is achieved by a combination of elements of which fitness is a decisive factor that needs to be addressed right from the grassroots level.
Additionally, players from the subcontinent indulge excessively in the cash-surplus slam-bang T20 Indian Premier League, and this inadvertently has an influence on not just their performances in the longer version of the game but more importantly in their desire to excel and improve.
Teams such as India and Sri Lanka are not as strong and competitive as they are made out to be. Moreover, both teams are bound to struggle in Test cricket in the years to come with many of the seniors calling time.
The youngsters being rolled into the team lack the vigour and drive to succeed at the highest level and cricket is paying the price for the inadequacies and laidback approach to the game.
Fans, get real.
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