Re: "I don't rate India a long-term No.1" - Ian Chappell
We have to admit, India have been a better side in last decade than our bunch of mediocres. Period!
As far as sustaining the No. 1 position, the reality is that Aus/RSA/Ind are all on same level more or less and we will see a see-saw between these three with SL/Eng peeking here and there on the top shelves. This is going to be the case for next two three years until Tendz-Dravid get retire, like a major shake-off as Aus have gone through in last 3 years with their 6 greats retired in this time period. This happens. The good teams are those which take little time to rebuild and always seen in top 3 spots. Like Aus.
Chappel saab has simply got jeolous here, otherwise there was no need for such article from a great former player. India have been doing fine with their limited bowling resources for last one decade or so. Just imagine if Tendz, Drav, Lux, Gangz were getting backing of likes of Pakistani bowlers of that time. Aus would have been pissing in their pants.
Nevertheless, hats off to Aus for giving a dream team to world cricket that dominated over a decade in all aspects of the game. The bigger GIFT was the benchmark professionalism introduced in the game that will be a lighthouse for generations to come not for their own players but around the world. I am so so so impressed by the way run cricket affairs and the way players and team official take their job.