NEW DELHI: Former Australian captain Steve Waugh feels that the Indian cricket team doesn’t deserve to be the No.1 Test side in the world.
In the light of India’s struggling performance in Sri Lanka, Waugh said: “India don’t look like the No.1 side. The Indian team is struggling at the moment with their bowling and the team does not have the bowlers to take 20 wickets.”
The 45-year-old legendary batsman said India are only a tough team to beat at home, and it will be difficult for Australia to defeat them in the series, comprising two Tests and three one-day internationals, that starts on October 1 with the first Test in Mohali.
“It will be close and a tough series. The team which plays better cricket will win,” said Waugh.
Waugh, who was in the capital for a promotional event, said the Indian team is suffering due to the absence of injured fast bowling spearhead Zaheer Khan.
“India are a very good side. The batting line up is among the best in the world. But the bowling attack seems weak in the absence of senior bowler like Zaheer Khan,” he said.
Waugh was also disappointed with an inconsistent Harbhajan Singh.
“I don’t see a match winning spinner in the team. Harbhajan Singh is good but he is not consistent. He only seems to be doing well against Australia. India’s bowling has weakened after the retirement of Kumble,” Waugh said.
Re: India don't deserve to be No.1 Test team: Steve Waugh
To be fair.. he did not say that India don't deserve #1.. he said that India don't look like #1 right now...
As per Captain.. it could just be sour grapes.. Waugh's captaincy record would've been ALL WINS if it wasn't for India beating his team.. He's a good guy I think but one can understand the sour grapes :D
ICC Rankings aren't based only on the last 2-3-4 games.. it's based on the last 3 years' performance.. and if you look at those stats India surely deserve the #1.. of course the question now is how long can they retain it? They need to save this test and either draw or win the next one. They are playing AUS next. AUS is well behind so I don't think they can take over but they can take off a lot of points off India if they win. Don't think it's going to happen. India will cream Aus at home just like 2 years ago :D
Definitely need to step up the bowling though. Without Zak and Sreesanth the fast bowling looks very weak. Need Mishra instead of Ojha. Bhajji will automatically get fired up against the Aussies.
The thing is, theres no team which really deserves to be No. 1 right now. There realy is no standout team in world cricket.
Theres a few teams in contention ( India, Aus, SA, SL maybe) but they all have their flaws and none are terribly consistent. We had the WI juggernaut for a long time and then the Aus superpower but since then its been a huge drop in quality in terms of the world best side.
The thing is, theres no team which really deserves to be No. 1 right now. There realy is no standout team in world cricket.
Theres a few teams in contention ( India, Aus, SA, SL maybe) but they all have their flaws and none are terribly consistent. We had the WI juggernaut for a long time and then the Aus superpower but since then its been a huge drop in quality in terms of the world best side.
What does #1 mean? It doesnt mean someobdy who is farrrrrrrrr better than the rest. It just means somebody who is better than the rest.
The rankings account for performance in the last 3ish years. India deserves the #1 status based on this if you look at the stats.
Re: India don't deserve to be No.1 Test team: Steve Waugh
Exactly. Rankings reward consistency in the last 3ish years. They are not like the stock market or currency exchange rates that they will jump up and down DAILY based on 1 performance.
India's bowling was weakened this series without Zaheer and Sree.. and no Bhajji in the last game.. it's credible that they still won and levelled the series..
