‘Meek’ may be too mild a word to describe India’s catastrophic capitulation against England in the fourth test match at Old Trafford. ‘Laughing stock’ seems more befitting. In Manchester, India was made to look like a club side, with sub-standard players who lacked the skills or temperament to put up any kind of resistance. Against the swing and guile of James Anderson and Stuart Broad, the Indian batsmen looked like 15-year olds catapulted into international cricket overnight. Moeen Ali was made to look like an imperious version of Graeme Swann. In fact, Ali’s innocuous off spin yielded more wickets than Anderson’s seam bowling in India’s second innings. Such was the abjectness of the Indian surrender that in spite of the inclement Manchester weather, the match was wrapped up in three days.
Only a couple of weeks ago, the same bunch of players were reveling in the success of a famous test match win at Lord’s. In fairness, Lord’s seems a lifetime ago. For two successive test matches since, England has run ragged, rekindling painful memories of that 4-0 thrashing India faced on their English sojourn three years ago. One would argue that the fate of the match was sealed barely half an hour in to the first morning itself, when India found itself tottering at 8 for 4. Had it not been for a fighting 71 from skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the visitors would have found it difficult to go past the three figure mark.
England came into this series on the back of a narrow series loss to Sri Lanka at home. Talk about Alistair Cook’s woeful form with the bat and his unimaginative captaincy dominated the the build up to the series. Dhoni’s side, albeit composed of young men still finding their feet in test cricket was expected to put in a good performance in tough, alien conditions. Four test matches into the tour, talk of England’s struggles seems to have died down and its India’s eternal incapability to perform in overseas conditions, which is once again under the scanner.
While the bowling in overseas test matches over the last couple of seasons has showed just about enough venom, it is the Indian batsmen who need to have a serious look at themselves. Virat Kohli, India’s most consistent performer in recent times has struggled to put bat to ball on this tour. The 25-year old’s technical handicap against genuine swing bowling is a real cause for concern for India. He may have been belting hundred after hundred in limited overs cricket, but Kohli has yet to prove himself on the test stage. Cheteshwar Pujara hasn’t covered himself in much glory either, with the man touted as the next Rahul Dravid struggling to provide the kind of solidity he prides himself on.
With the exception of Murali Vijay and Ajinkya Rahane, all Indian batsmen have had serious trouble churning out runs. Team composition is another area coach Duncan Fletcher must pay close attention to. India played with two spinners at Old Trafford on a seamer friendly wicket, and both failed to trouble the opposition batsmen. Ravichandran Ashwin went wicket less, while Ravindra Jadeja picked up just one wicket.
And then there’s Mahendra Singh Dhoni. So often the master tactician, one wonders whether Ian Chappell was right when he said that Dhoni should be relieved of the test captaincy, paving way for Virat Kohli instead. Dhoni’s muddled tactical approach, along with erratic decision making has been one of the main reasons for India’s abysmal showing. The most baffling was his decision to start with Ravindra Jadeja and Pankaj Singh on the third morning at Old Trafford. The previous evening’s two wicket takers Varun Aaron and Bhuvaneshwar Kumar found themselves cooling their heels on the boundary line. Dhoni’s tactical miscalculation meant that the game drifted further away from India, ensuring that there was only going to be one outcome of the game. Dhoni, who so often was the one who transfused confidence into his players, and proved to be a catalyst for his team, seems like a lost man.
India must muster a fight in the final match at The Oval, if they are to have any chance of saving the series. There has been a serious lack of pride in India’s performance this series. No one doubts the talent of Dhoni’s young team, but talent alone cannot win you test matches abroad. Application of your talent can. Only a much improved showing in all three departments can help India level the series. Things must change quickly for Dhoni and Fletcher, else the writing is pretty clear on the wall.
