India vs. England - Post Test Series Discussion
Several questions arises in the minds as India plunged to another heavy defeat, after Dravid won the toss and chose to field in the third and final test:
-
For a captain who is a professional mastermind on implementing innovative strategies and executing a series of plans, one after another, all in succession whilst holding a firm view (in hindsight) that, in one way, shape or form, it will work and produce him the results…what happened? What exactly went through Dravid’s mind when he (mis)-read the pitch? Did he purposely (pre-planned) put England into bat, thinking that they might as well try their hand one more time chasing the score the nth time around? Did he completely and miserably fail to read the pitch in a proper manner? As soon as he put England into bat, did Dravid hand the match over to them in a silver platter?
-
Dependence on Dravid - “The Wall”, as he is labeled in several articles throughout the globe. As soon as a stone is thrown at the last brick that is built into this “Wall”, the entire team crumbles in no-time. Is the team depending too much on Dravid? Lately, it is becoming a “one-man” team (If such and such player performs on a given day and sticks to his end for an ample period of time, at least there is a ray of hope shining on the word “result”).
One particularly exemplar comes to mind here - Greatly noted:
Of course, Tendulkar, Dravid and Sehwag can be swapped with each other in the above equation, but nevertheless, the point is very much valid.
-
The ultimate reliance on lower-order - Till how long will Dravid and Co. continue to completely rely on the likes of Dhoni and Pathan to win the match for India? When will the entire mindset of the Indian team start to accept the fact that one man simply cannot…repeat, cannot be relied on to save the team from the jaws of defeat. The top order (or the entire team for that matter) has to click.
-
Yes, while I do agree that English team performed brilliantly in a foreign backyard, but that did not come at no charge. The cost, from India’s point of view, was Sehwag getting out cheaply, the “tomorrow is another day” Tendulkar and Dravid. That right there, cost them the entire match, let alone a single session in which they had the upper-hand.
-
The brand new emergence of Matthew Hoggard. Let’s also touch upon that point of view. The pick of the bowlers from English side, picking thirteen (13) wickets in the entire series at a mere 17.84 average. Similar to Munaf Patel (who bowled absolutely stunningly and produced 10 wickets at an average of ~22 in his column), has England found a new “sensation”? Going by that retrospect, has India found a new “sensation”?
-
Who would you consider the best bowling pair of Indian line-up, given the current scene? My pick includes SreeSanth, Patel and Pathan. These three, come next World Cup, should be groomed in an appropriate manner. Definitely the most likely possible combination, in my view.
One grand finale question: Who’s to blame?
(It should be noted that since 'circa 2000, India has played a total of 37 tests (batting second), has won 17 and lost 7).
Thoughts/concerns/questions/opinions?
Have you not been following England victories lately? Dont you know that Hoggard has been phenomenal since last two and half years now and not just this series? ‘New sensation’? 
I hope others specially the next door neighbours don’t get this virus.
woho: and now his captaincy is in jeopardy, and his batting was not impressive at all.
its not that far away 
and I dont agree with your notion that they are the only team that they can beat aussies in their backyard.