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Joined January 2019
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Haha.. cracked up multiple times reading the piece. The old man Dhoni bit is pure gem but a little too harsh on the the better looking Marsh brother though. Top Stuff !!
The Liebke Ratings: Australia vs India, second ODI
Nice rebuttal. Although I do agree with Paul on Kohli’s captaincy but here are few more supporting arguments in your defence.
Toss Argument : This is the perfect argument candidate for a losing team. But in MCG Australians wanted to bowl first and in SCG , the test was practically rained off. If not for the rain the result would have been 3-1, we should thank the rain. Also analysis is done on the basis of the game that was played on the field and not on factors beyond control.
Smith/Warner – Kohli/Pujara Argument – This is pure whining. Well we were at home, so there is a home advantage. During the last series in India, Kohli was not effective and still India won. Their record back home is enviable and even their Ranji Team would beat us given their mastery over conditions at home. Ashwin was enough to give us nightmares in India. Also either Smith or Warner or both could have had a horrible series , we would never know.
Lyon Argument – India did not nullify Lyon in last two test was the worst argument of the season. Please look at the scorecard. Even batting on flat tracks , not giving wickets and scoring at 3-4 RPO equates to being nullified for a lack of a harsher term.
Kohli/Pujara in Perth and Melbourne – In Perth Kohli scored the only century of that test. Talk about not batting in favouring conditions. They lost the test because of tactical management error of not including a spinner. Else it would have been 3-0.
Bottomline – Considering Paul’s obsession in discussing the “have not’s” – We would have practically lost 4-0 if not for a tactical error in Perth and Rain in SCG.
I would rather look at the reality which was a better side won the series 2-1 and gave us Marcus Harris, the rise of Pat Cummins, the issues with domestic structure and the opportunity to get back on track before Ashes.
The real reasons India won
Agree with most of your points, also raising few other factors.
Lyon – Yes, he tapered off at the end. Hardly bowled right lines in MCG and seemed like he lacked confidence going to SCG test. Also support from other end was pathetic to put more pressure on Batsmen.
Pace – But the biggest disappointment was the Pace attack. It lacked venom. Starc wasted the new ball, was way too erratic with his lines and “elephant in the room” – Hardly any Swing.
Tenacity – Another factor that ties to the mental aspect you touched upon. We lacked temperament and application to grind and dig in. I doubt if any of the batsmen actually played two sessions in day.
Toss – All the toss argument is juvenile. You have to judge any game by what it played out on field and not through factors that we do not control. Also in Boxing day Test, Australians wanted to bowl first and SCG Test pretty much rained out. So it would have made no difference. This is like what if India played a spinner at Perth. What if Ashwin was fit. What if we had Warner and Smith. We didn’t and move on with what happened on the field for analysis.
Captaincy – Kohli is still a work in progress and if India is down he actually chases the ball. His lack of skills to apply pressure on the Australian Tail actually highlights his weakness. Any performing team makes their captain look good, ask ‘Sr Waugh’. Paine was not too bad, except for few bowling changes I found him alright given the resources and the skills at his disposal. His banter was fun and alright.
The real reasons India won
In retrospect this article appears juvenile. India did have a chink in the armour but Australians didn’t take advantage and after 2 days into Boxing day test the series was pretty much over. The article is a testimony of everything wrong with opinion columns. People are too early to jump to a conclusion (T20 effect perhaps?) , possibly the Australian Team management did the same too.
Be like Pujara, Be Patient ! wait for the outcome before deciding to comment on the fate of the series half way into the series where the results are tied 1-1.
PS: this made me chuckle
“The tourists have experienced openers in KL Rahul (who averages 35.2), Ajinkya Rahane (41.45) and Cheteshwar Pujara at three (ave 49.8), but these three are not giving the middle order a chance to post big scores.”
I understand KL Rahul is an opener but by no stretch Rahane, even in that case Pujara scored a century and half-century in the 1st test. Rahane score a half-century in 2nd Test. Opening was an issue but definitely not no.3 and middle order. At least the author could have looked at the scorecard carefully.
The precarious state of the Indian Test team
Given Finch’s failure against in-swing, he would be a walking wicket in England. If Warner and Smith are back for the championship I don’t see Finch ,Khawaja taking the field.
For the last ODI, they could try opening with Khawaja and dropping Finch down the order. I still believe he could be potent once the ball stops swinging. Also Stanlake in for Siddle and Maxi before Stoinis.
India square the ledger but Aussies go down fighting in ODI thriller