James Anderson tore India's batting line-up apart with 4/18.
© AP
The World Cup is less than a month away on the generally pacer-friendly pitches of Australia and New Zealand. While most nations are sorting out their playing combination, defending world champions India have been revisited by two of their worst nightmare - a moving ball on a bouncy and pacy track. (Match Report | Highlights | Scorecard)
About six months ago, when Indian batsmen were clinically destroyed by England quickie James Anderson at Southampton, Manchester and The Oval, the team management had sought to placate furious fans and journalists. A team director with a lot of cricket knowledge was added to the ranks, the bowling coach was sacked and Duncan Fletcher was virtually pushed to the sidelines. (Steven Finn Bowls England to Biggest ODI Win vs India)
The BCCI mandarins suggested all would be well with India's batsmen, who were made to look like bunnies. But that clearly has not happened. On Tuesday, Anderson tore India's batting line-up apart with 4/18. The wickets included Shikhar Dhawan, Stuart Binny, Bhuvaneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami - the first three all capable bats. (Gavaskar vs Akram: The Great Debate on Team India's Bowling Plight)
But more than the scalps, it was what Anderson did to India's psyche with the new ball that mattered at the end. After removing an out-of-form Dhawan with a beauty that left the batsman edging, Anderson tied down Ajinkya Rahane and Ambati Rayudu with a spell of sharp, incisive swing bowling. There was late movement, pronounced bounce, good pace as Anderson unleashed terror on India's famed line-up. (Dhoni Blasts Batsmen After England Loss)
Despite all the talking from the players and the coaches, obviously nothing has changed. Dhawan's feet did not move, Rahane tried to hit out against Anderson and Rayudu was certainly far from comfortable at No. 3. At least India's numbers one and three made an attempt to fight, lasting for 56 runs together. But soon after, there was a collapse that rocked the foundation of the Indian batting. (All Play, No Rest: Is Mental Fatigue Hurting India Ahead of World Cup?)
India lost four wickets for 10 runs inside three overs. Rahane, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina and Rayudu never looked the batsmen they are. Anderson did not get any of them but it was his mere presence, the fear factor he had created over the last six months, that seemed to be their undoing. The doors had closed on the Indians even before they knew it. (Finn Pleased his Hard Work Paid Off Against India)
Ironically, the only batsman to gut it out against Anderson and genuine pace, Murali Vijay, is not even in the World Cup squad. There was hope, a near hysteria when Kohli and Rahane piled on the runs against the Australians in the Test series. But those pitches appeared to be bowlers' graveyards and Ryan Harris complained he felt like a bowling machine. The only pitch that did offer some bounce was the Gabba strip and it was again here in Brisbane that India's morale was shattered by another high class fast bowler. (David Warner Rested; Australia Open Door for Shaun Marsh, Cameron White)
Luckily for India, they do not play any of their World Cup group games at the Gabba. But they will feature in two matches at the WACA in Perth and one of those opponents would be the West Indies, with enough firepower in their pace battery. (Ishant Can be a Liability for Team India, Says Gavaskar)
Time is running out or maybe it already has for Mahendra Singh Dhoni's Daredevils.
0 comments:
Post a Comment