The exciting ANZ series, played between India and New Zealand recently, came to a conclusion with New Zealand and India drawing the last test match; a bit of a face saver after India’s rather disappointing performance throughout the rest of the series that comprised of 5 ODIs and 2 test matches.
The series resulted in New Zealand emerging as the winners; winners who fought hard and deserved to win. Expectations from the Indian team however, were quite high, considering their performance the last time around in 2008 – 09.
The Indian bowling has consistently been found short on experience, and grit to bowl the opposition out and take the matches in crucial situations. Adding to the bowling woes were an inconsistent batting performance which heavily relied on Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni performing to uplift the team.
The ANZ Series, that was meant to be a preparation for the upcoming Cricket World Cup in 2015, contrarily was more of a future predicting crystal ball, that gave an indication of team India’s chances next year this time around, if they continue performing like they did during the current series.
All hopes were in India’s favour, however, their rather dismal performance proved otherwise.
It was a number of factors that lead to India’s defeat along with raising a few questions. The Indian team’s composition seemed rather questionable, when the underperforming Ishant Sharma was picked time and again to play during the ODI series, and later during the Test matches, or whether India’s hopes were pinned high on a select few batsmen to perform and deliver. The overall bowling performance was below par as was the batting.
Captain M.S. Dhoni has expressed his distress over India’s performance, by saying that the team could not capitalize on the moments they could have converted into clear victories, both in the ODIs and the test matches.
However, in comparison to the team’s recent outing in South Africa, the captain feels that there has been a positive improvement in the team’s overall performance. The team, he feels, lacks consistency.
This series adds to India’s consecutive losses abroad, after the series in England, Australia and South Africa, and a continuation of Dhoni’s failure abroad as a captain, since June 2011, a matter of some concern now.
On the other hand, the Black Caps managed to greatly surprise, with a number of players standing out, and them performing well as a unit throughout the series. The most outstanding achievement to take away from this series was Brendon McCullum’s triple test century, the first ever by a New Zealander. Despite India having fought back a few times, New Zealand emerged as the stronger side, mainly because of the consistency they showed as a side and subsequently emerged as winners.
The team is a stark reminder of the 1990s, when Sachin Tendulkar and Mohd. Azharuddin pulled the team through.
The 2000s saw a resurgent India built around Sachin, Ganguly, Dravid, Laxman, and Kumble. The now depleted core, should have ideally been built around Sehwag, Gambhir, Dhoni, Harbhajan and Zaheer but with little going in their favour, the team looked for a new direction.
The still young colts, Kohli, Pujara, Rohit, Jadeja and Ishant have been screwing tight MS Dhoni’s plans.
The question to be asked is have they fared well enough to be shown faith? The continuous losses in overseas conditions and the lack of a fighting spirit, might disillusion you but these players are here to stay.
As for the CWC’2015, Team India will do well to get on board a balance in experience, and exuberance of talent to put up a fight in their title defence with less than a year to go.