As I had some guests at home I did not know until 2200 hrs IST what is the state of the test match at Old Trafford. Little did I know that the match was already over. India's top order had been decimated with zero gumption and once again Moeen Ali was the the wrecker in chief. As the series has progressed, Moeen Ali has moved from being derided as a part time bowler to the leading wicket takers in the tournament. Even the great Graeme Swann would have been proud of what Moeen has achieved uptil now in the series. 19 wickets in four tests, and marginally behind the leading wicket taker in the test series, Anderson (21) ! On the other hand Bhuvi has been waging a lone battle from Team India with 18 wickets.
But it is not the bowling which is the culprit. The collective batting failure and lack of both application and grit has cost India the last 2 tests and the chance to win an away test series. Which is very rare for Team India.
As I mentioned in one of my previous posts, Gambhir's inclusion was never going to be an elixir for Team India. True, the opening pair has not weathered many opening spells in the recent past. A good opening stand with no damage for 20 overs means there is a less nervous middle order. However, between a Shikhar Dhawan and Gautam Gambhir, Dhawan has looked better. Both are not in the best of form. All these years India had a voracious marauder in the form of Virender Sehwag who changed the color of the match in one session alone. Alas, he is past his prime too !! I believe the true culprits of the batting failures have been the opening pair. Dhoni needs to find an answer soon. Else India needs to ready itself for another impending defeat and another away series loss. That would also mean Dhoni's detractors would bay for his blood and he might lose the test captaincy !!
The only plus in this match for India has been the way Varun Aaron has bowled. He has become sharper and the 3 wickets he produced were so good to watch. If he maintains his fitness, he is a good asset for the future. I hope he doesnt lose his speed to compensate for accuracy. So many bowlers have been wasted in the past like that - Ajit Agarkar, Irfan Pathan, RP Singh, Munaf Patel et al.
Team India needs to pull up their socks for the Oval Test now. There is no point in drowning in negative feelings and critique. A match has ended. Move on, prepare for the next. End on a high, and level the series. Stop tinkering with the bowling. Fielding (too many dropped catches mean England were left off the noose) and Off stump batting needs to improve with more gumption.
But it is not the bowling which is the culprit. The collective batting failure and lack of both application and grit has cost India the last 2 tests and the chance to win an away test series. Which is very rare for Team India.
As I mentioned in one of my previous posts, Gambhir's inclusion was never going to be an elixir for Team India. True, the opening pair has not weathered many opening spells in the recent past. A good opening stand with no damage for 20 overs means there is a less nervous middle order. However, between a Shikhar Dhawan and Gautam Gambhir, Dhawan has looked better. Both are not in the best of form. All these years India had a voracious marauder in the form of Virender Sehwag who changed the color of the match in one session alone. Alas, he is past his prime too !! I believe the true culprits of the batting failures have been the opening pair. Dhoni needs to find an answer soon. Else India needs to ready itself for another impending defeat and another away series loss. That would also mean Dhoni's detractors would bay for his blood and he might lose the test captaincy !!
The only plus in this match for India has been the way Varun Aaron has bowled. He has become sharper and the 3 wickets he produced were so good to watch. If he maintains his fitness, he is a good asset for the future. I hope he doesnt lose his speed to compensate for accuracy. So many bowlers have been wasted in the past like that - Ajit Agarkar, Irfan Pathan, RP Singh, Munaf Patel et al.
Team India needs to pull up their socks for the Oval Test now. There is no point in drowning in negative feelings and critique. A match has ended. Move on, prepare for the next. End on a high, and level the series. Stop tinkering with the bowling. Fielding (too many dropped catches mean England were left off the noose) and Off stump batting needs to improve with more gumption.
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