Pathetic show by India

To cut a long story short, it was a pathetic performance by the Indians. There was a total absence of character as batsman after batsman was dismissed in the first hour on Monday, the decisive phase of the Test really. It seemed the Indians were in a daze.

It has been mentioned earlier in the column too that it is batting that lets India down in overseas campaign. This was visible in the Harare Test, which India, shamefully lost inside four days to an opposition that was not more than mediocre. It was abject surrender.

We have to take a serious look at our batting as the same tale of woes abroad is getting repeated. In the end, what have the Indians gained from the Test series?

Nothing concrete for the series was only drawn, which against Zimbabwe, even away from home, is a disappointing result. There was far too much hype from the media too after the win in Bulawayo, when much of the job was still left unfinished.

What we lack abroad is the lack of a clear game plan. The Zimbabwean bowlers came with a plan - operate on or outside the off-stump, not give any free-hits on the on-side.

It was at best disciplined bowling, certainly not threatening. The Indian response was not only meek, but there was a total absence of purpose - they found no way overcome the Zimbabwean plan.

In terms of quality, it was one of the most ordinary series in recent times, and it was `bad cricket' rather than inspired cricket that decided the Tests.

For skipper Sourav Ganguly, the horror story with the bat continues. He failed again, and given his present form, does not look like making runs. In the current scenario, it wouldn't be a bad idea, if he drops himself from the side for a Test or two and re-work on his batting. England's Mike Denness did just that years ago, and it's time for Ganguly to take a serious look at his own performance.

His pronounced weakness against the moving ball is all too evident, and he does have to make runs in Test matches on a consistent basis abroad to establish himself as a truly international class player. Tons of runs in the home series or in the less demanding world of one-day cricket will not do much to enhance his reputation.

In the end it is this consistency factor that determined the true quality of players. That is why men like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Andy Flower are so special. They can conquer the conditions. And this is exactly where Ganguly comes up short.

Even conceding that the Indians contributed to their own downfall, a measure of praise for the Zimbabweans wouldn't be out of place here. They bowled to a plan, fielded like tigers, and at least, showed some spirit with the bat.

In the end one did feel a little sorry for the Indian bowlers. They toiled manfully, but the capitulation of the batsmen had left them with too much job to do. It was one of the worst batting displays by India in recent times.

By K. Srikkanth

www.krishsrikkanth.com

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