Dhoni and Co. Turn From Tigers To Kittens
By Gaurang
December 9 2013
Just a few short months ago, India were smashing the hapless Australians, including the newest Fast Bowling Beast, Mitchel Johnson, all over the park on flat, and low bouncing wickets in India. A week into the tour of South Africa and the Indian batting line up looks as brittle as glass.
Of course the scheduling has not helped with India going against a battle hardened South Africa, who just lost a series to Pakistan, taking on India who arrived just days before the first game and with absolutely no practice in the middle on fast, bouncy wickets. The result was predictable. Dhoni a past past master of making a non-excuse excuse has clearly indicated that the scheduling was a major factor in his team's poor performance. But in the past he has used excuses such as having to "carry" seniors also. On that front he is completely out of excuses. The team he has now is HIS team. Not a single batsman from the Ganguly era has survived, now that Yuvraj has been dropped.
And btw, the Seniors he used to make such snide comments about Ganguly and Dravid averaged 45 and 50 respectively in ODIs IN South Africa. I am sure he would give his right arm to have players with the GUTS and HEART of these two in the team right now.
South Africa is a hard place to play cricket if you are mentally weak. If you are mentally strong, it is great, as the bounce facilitates stroke making and the outfields are billiard table smooth and lightening quick. Dhoni may have an awesome record as Indian Captain at home, but once he leaves the cozy confines of home his record as leader is much more mediocre. In the past his personal weakness against the moving ball overseas has been a factor. This time he has improved his ability to combat that and has led from the front, albeit within the limitations of his abilities as a batsman. Where he has failed miserably is to inspire his wards to fight fire with fire and not take a backward step as they have been subjected to a fearful pounding both with bat and ball.
For example during the first ODI in Jo'burg when the Indian pacers were getting smashed all around the park, barely a peep was heard from the Captain behind the stumps...or from other fielders for that matter. One hopes that behind the scene he is pushing his men hard to stand up and fight. In a short series, even letting a single opportunity pass is inviting defeat. Already India have lost the three match ODI series, and they must play for pride and to get acclimatized for the much bigger and more significant examination awaiting them in the two Test matches.
The next ODI though meaningless in the context of the series, has huge significance in terms of whether India come back with some pride restored or return humiliated by their 9th and 10th consecutive Test defeats outside India.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:12:23:19:03:49 by Birbal.
it's BCCI's fault who havew shoved them into a difficult series with zero practise time.
and complete mayhem results on the field
Btw, it seems you need a combination of technique and heart to succeed in South Africa...
Sehwag had lots of heart... poor technique... averaged 15 in ODIs in SA..
Dravid had lots of heart...excellent technique...averaged 50 in ODIs in SA
Ganguly averaged 45... Sachin 25....
I guess I'll unsticky it, if not delete it
