Cricket: England gain hold

Michael Clarke would be a very lonely man as all leaders of any loosing campaign could be. He has his plate full with things he got to do to salvage something out of the Ashes 2013 venture. There are simply too many reasons to restrict the causes that has made Australia look very ordinary over last few seasons. Cook on the other hand and go on to the field do whatever he likes and result seem to fall in his lap, straight away very easily. 

England are playing ruthless cricket for the moment. I thought a series will be a well fought one but what I see leaves me a bit bemused. Australia had set such benchmarks, leaving teams only to compete second, fitness of players, awesome batting line up where everyone had capability and record of turning the match on its head, scoring runs, taking catches, triggering collapses. The bowling was envy of all, a wizard of leg spin, three excellent front line bowlers, marginal decisions or the rub of the green was often with the baggy green corner.

 All this has been repeated ad-nauseum. It is history. If Australian cricket continues in its current state,they will be getting framed in an image. An image of being Once a great team. Its something how West Indies were in last fifteen years, they just fell from the roof tops.

Poms first.

Poms enjoying the Ashes, batsman are queuing up to score and bowlers even part timers are queuing up to bowl and claim prized scalps. They have taken a 2-0 lead and look good to hold on to the Ashes. Australia have come back from a deficit of two games to win the ashes just once but for that too happen someone has to play a Bradmansque series or perhaps Bradman would have more clues. 

England can claim lot of comfort from the fact the big three of Cook, Peitersen and Trott haven't really fired with the bat. But I guess for the moment its Bell, and the lower order thats firing on both sides. A striking feature that the best bats haven't dented this Ashes so far. Bell in the first test, Root in the second the fact that both these innings came while England were in a spot of bother would have made the England camp a very happy one. 

Anderson and Swann meanwhile have made a run away start. Broad is a handful on English conditions. Anderson claimed a bag full of wickets at Trent bridge, Swann took 9 in the match to skittle Aus out for 128. He scored some good runs with Broad at the end when Aus tried cleaning up the tail. The hung on and scored at a brisk rate to balloon English total to 360 instead of a subtle 325. 

Fans loving it when Australia keeps loosing it. 

The cricket fans who very often hard done by Aussies coming from behind and winning impossible matches or stringing consistency which was beyond imagination. I mean we grew up knowing Australia would win, they were hard to even compete. But no such complains any more. Cricket fans in places other than Australia are having such a jolly good time. It such a relief that they got battered by England in England, than England beat them in Australia than Saffers did it twice while visiting Australia. Yes India got blanked out Four Nil. Dhoni would have enjoyed a chuckle when Australia toured India and India turned the tables. Spinners doing the damage. Even Bhuvnesh Kumar new to test matches enjoyed bowling to Aussie batsman on placid Indian pitches. 

Its the snobbery and the sledging or the mental disintegration as suggested by Steve Waugh, now I am sure they wont have much to say about their current form and performance. There use to be a lot of lip and lot of swagger. 

Aussies use to be the big bullies. When they were winning series after series the tongues kept wagging and the juggernaut kept rolling. England didn't win a sniff for better part of twenty years till 2005. When Flintoff lead the bull charge. India did win at home against the Aussies at home. But now it seems all quiet on the field front. Pattinson did it last series against Graeme Smith with Aus hosted Safs. It was all in a bad taste, you play and play fair and you win gracefully Aus at times didn't do it right, there have been so many infamous incidents, often including Indian players. I guess when the Aussies started getting paid same coin and with same intensity, they didn't like their own medicine very much. There were numerous occasion in which players from all over get very partisan treatment from the Aussie fans and media and often that fueled the lip players would get on the pitch even more. Aussies at home were unbeatable. I would wonder why, know I am beginning to wonder what it would have been to form unrelenting gaze under which key players from opposition were kept under the grind the time they stepped on Aussie shores. 

All that now seems to thing of the past. Yes as a marquee contest of the Cricketing world Ashes perhaps rules the roost, Indian and Pa fans may contest that, but its crickets oldest rivalry a fact which cannot be contested. Aussies seems to have fallen rather quickly from their all conquering ways. Its now time for us fans to pile on the dismay for the Aussies as Cricket Australia sees humbler days. Its not only that Australia have fallen, other teams have equally done well. Saffers have done well away from home, England have done well too, Pakistan is only playing away from home. Dhoni would look to build on, starting in limited overs format abroad, advantage at home and perhaps if his bowlers come of age than a run away from home in tests.

Tough road ahead.

The rot in performances, I mean the enormity and the rapidity with Aussies have fallen perhaps reflect the board,an odd blip in a series may be understandable but capitulation of this magnitude, tell us more about how cricket Aus have abandoned the grass roots, premier Big Bash, a T20 is played in prime cricketing season, in front of sparse crowds. In last handful of seasons no Aussie batsman has stamped his authority Aussie batting looks fragile, bowling looks decent but its hard to finish the marathon with a limp.

Aussies should have corrected their course before the end of previous Ashes, they didn't They were too large to fail, I don't know how players of over 35 years will take the Aussie cricket forward. Aus will be better fared if they threw the newbies in the bout and plan a road to recovery. For the time being, team selection, batting order, intensity, performances, camaraderie within in the team are few minor issues Cricket Australia and people who are well wishers of Australian cricket team would like to consider. 

England lead Australia by 2-0, three more tests to go.

 

Cricket: Dhoni achieves the brown wash

So, how many pundits, fans, expert, seers saw Dhoni leading his team beating Aus 4-0, especially after we didn't win a session against England in England (and lost a player to injury every match), Aus in Aus, lost the series in England. Dhoni led the team. A team which didn't have Sehwag, Gambhir, Dravid, Laxman, Zak, half baked Bhajji and a reclusive if not redundant Tendulkar. Dhoni and young men and his demolition of impossibilities, T20 World cup, World Cup, ODI wins in Aus, 4-0 brown wash of Aus is one for the history. Dhoni has got to be beyond simple lucky Captain. He seem to have a trick up his sleeve even if things are against odds.

Dhoni with bat, gloves and his decisions on the field and trivially, the selection of players - Kumar, Jadeja, Pujara, Murali, Ahswin, Dhawan and a de-selection of the other whole lot. He is on the money with his decisions. Another point which may not be highlighted would be Tendulkar now where close to the highest scorer on the either side. I dont know how far is his retirement. I hope he does it, sooner rather than later. India meanwhie have quickly found their reciepe for success at home, hopefully the young guns will keep performing. There are many things that are swept under the magic victory, but more on that later.

Aussies never came for the tour.

The result would have been different if Aussies had there senses more grounded. Warner led the Aussie batsmen in misery. A few players were playing for the selection of the Ashes. Starc and Clarke gt injured. A few people forgot to make their PPTs. I know in hindsight all looks sorted out. There would lots of short coming and worthy criticisms when you are BrownWashed and have lost the series 4-0. Warner led the charge of batsmen's misery, he hardly got the foot right. Phil Hughes would have felt what Mark waughs and Ricky Pontings felt touring India when they saved more runs on the filed and take more catches each inning rather than score runs. It seems 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 are specialist positions for batsmen of touring parties to India. While the opener must adapt, he should also set the course. The number three must ensure there is no cat amaong pigeons and should either keep up the momentum if he comes after a long partnership or charter the ship if he comes to early. Number five batmen must be a capable run maker and a busy player. The Number 7s and 9s will always make runs because of inherent gene to dismiss the tail is absent in Indian bowlers. Here odd must chase the evens so to speak.

Clarke cant.

Clarke escaped some streaky chances while scoring his century in India, he has a dozen already! But from than on, he was a driver of a dash car who found himslef dashed whatever he did. Often he ended up dashing himself. One felt the agility while implementing plans was not their, some selections were improper, some bet looked good while taking them on but fizzled out. Dhoni would have felt the same way in Aus not to long ago. However the scoreline doesnt truly reflect the how the Aus team played. They were very ordinary to say the least, very timid, almost like Poms of old. When Clarke was scoring double hundred by the innings, and he would have been told Jadeja, would claim five time in six innings, he would amused to bit and scored another double. it seems game of cricket is game changing roulette, favour people who willing to stick around.

The fourth test and complete Brown Wash.

Ausssies come in this test with a new captain, won the toss, batted first. The fortunes (outcome) unchanged. Indian spinners set the tone. Ashwin & Jadeja spin twins, third was Ojha who did his bit. Aussies slumped before Siddle used the long handle and bought a semblance of respectability to the score. Aussies compiled 262 on a pitch in which accumulation of runs was increasingly going to get difficult as the game progressed. They said it was a fourth day pitch. Jadeja providing crucial break through keeping things tight. Siddle scored first of his two half centuries in the match, preferring too stick to basics, rather than gauge the situation of the match, look at the bowling and take stock of situation. He came he saw and he clobbered. It was some proper cricketing shots, well timed one at those. It would have been entertaining for top order. Aus folded for 260 odd on a weary pitch, India had to have big runs.

Indians started well with Pujara the third opener of the series along with Vijay put on an opening partnerships and then rest of the team faltered. Indians are too casuals playing offies. The new line for offies will be round the wicket bowling into the stumps and straightening. It strangles run making and boundary hitting, something Indian seem to do very easily for an off spinner turning it into them. however Aussies didnt exploit the reversing ball to great effect as Indians invariably found a way around to score runs and build partnerships. However in this match they couldnt. Lyon was very good, taking wickets on will so to speak. Tendulkar being the bunny... for this match. Indians casually came and went and Lyon proved his worth in the place. Indians preffered to camp on the crease rather than offer something for Lyon to think about. A slender 10 run lead and the game was in the balance.

Aussies started in bravado but Jadeja turned it on literally.He claimed Maxwell and Warner in quick successions. He utilized the pitch to maximum, the natural variations combined with the wavering pitch to either produce a magic delivery or a wicket taking one. Jadeja looked ominous as other bowlers chipped around claiming wickets regularly and Aus shot out cheaply for the last time in the series. jadeja claimed five wickets and a few send offs. Siddle sizzled with second half century of the game, a first in the history of the game for number Nine.

Murali should be shown this dismissal just to embarass him when he starts believing too much. Why play a reverse sweep on a crumbling inefiled to an off spinner when shot making comes naturally to you? Why? Kohli is the second one, Lyon got in rhythm and he looked less secured. A couple of wickets and Lyons had almost set the pigeons among the cat. Pujara meanwhile was definitely in the zone and carried on while other held fort. A very good innings considering Indias traditionally not so good batting performances. Ref: Barbados 120. Dhoni and Pujara combined to seal the door on Aus faces not before paiting them Brown. 

Aus in India or India in Aus who was the worst? I mean is it wrong for the a cricket fan to ask for a more equal playing field? At least ICC should allow to have a player exchange formula so that between baords more players can get an experience of playing in local match abroad I think it will help. Indian batsmen and bowlers will help immensely. Why doesn't BCCI used it muscle power to get our Players a deal in County cricket or in first class cricket in SAf and Aus or NZ or whatever? I often wonder. If players get a chance to play in alien conditions the game of cricket will be better. There is a scope of allowing exchange of players for a few season for first class level.

However everything said and done, the Ashes will see a different Aus team. Indians have their work cut out once the tour of SAf starts later this year. SAf is the team to beat, not sure we have the bowling, batting or fitness for the tour.

An Aussie Brown-Wash is a rare feat, time to savour Dhoni & Co. Well done guys, thanks for the thrill.

Cricket: Two up in Hyderabad

India in Aus had no clue, went on to lose the series 4-0. Aus are touring and perhaps facing the similar kind of result. Indian teams performances lie somewhere between, the ebb from the massive loses in Australia (and England) tour and stupendous highs from the wins in this series. Dhoni had drawn lot of flak for string of poor performances. Captains form reflected and amplified his team’s (poor) performances. But that stupendous double by Dhoni in Madras and commendable team performances in Hyderabad would have made his detractors mumble under there breath. We as fans are assured considering his performances and carry his team along, that Dhoni know much more about things and how to deal with them. Dhoni has done well, he delivers, get more choices in the team. Jadeja’s selection along with Murali Vijay would have raised a few eyebrows before the test began. Indian now has an unsalable lead with their hands on Border Gavaskar trophy. The geniuses who were critical of Dhoni as a captain and keeper have moved on to graze on greener pastures.

What can Clarke do?

There are many things Clarke can do which he hasn’t done till yet in the series.

Not win the toss (some how)

Consider to bowl first if and when you do win the toss

Look to bat once and only once in the test.

Bat yourself in top four, if not in top three? Perhaps open? Watson, Warner and Clarke have to click, TOGETHER.

Identify the top spinner in the squad. Play him in for the rest of the series.

My Aus XI (in Batting Order) – Watson, Warner, Henriques, Clarke, Cowan, Hughes,Wade, Pattinson, Doherty, Lyon, Johnson.

All those wondering about where Aus will go from here… especially the Ashes, don’t worry, English condition are not alien to Aus players. England have the core of players have a good core But SAf beat them at home. You got to play your hand with the cards you got. Clarke forgot conventional rules of how the game is/was played not necessarily apply in India. I think Clarke ability (read agility) as a Captain seemed to have been exposed. You can't have Haydens, Gilchrist, Martyns, Waughs, Warnes, McGraths with you all the times. They are once in a generation cricketers. Aussies want the present players to impose themselves. Warner and Watson have to perform. Batting and Bowling has to click.

Dhoni has his (sleeves and) pockets full.

I am not sure we have a better man to lead Indian cricket team on the field as off now. Dhoni is the best thing to have happened to Indian cricket in last few years. He performs or perishes, get his own team, set his own standards and excels them in process. Often what people see as achievements he sees them as milestones and simply moves on like someone driving on highway on a clear day. There would be lot of noises on inclusion of Viijay and Jadeja,ut we must now applaud Dhoni's decision. Jadeja and Murali both had important contribution. Sehwag has Bhajji for company to plot their futures as to what they want to do next.

Pujara, Murali and Ashwin Relay-Marathons.

Clarke won the toss, which was high point of the day and before the first session, Aus seemed to be focusing on what was written on a nonexistent wall. Four wickets down, in first session. An Aus fight back in the second session and Indian rope trick, that saw Aussies declaring after five wickets fall in the last session. The declaration seems foolish one but if they would have taken couple of wicket than it may have been looked brave indeed. But wasn't to be. Pujara and Murali Vijay both under various bars of pressure, came to gather, to hold the Aussie bowling charge at bay in the first session and then blossomed for the rest of the day. They scored a combined of 294 runs in the day. The helpless Aus bowlers struggling to even create chances on their own. Pujara has the great skill of building big scores based on temperament and poise. In many ways Pujara reminds me of Michael Vaughan. He fought a hamstring to get to his hundred and pave the way for massive first innings score for India. Sehwag contemplating what would have been.

It was more restrained and stoic innings for Murali. He was subdued and played well within himself, giving up panache' to get a very well compiled and almost a stoic century. I hope this gives him some satisfaction to pursue innings different from his natural style. He should look to collect more runs in the series. Vijay looked more at ease as the innings went on and complemented Pujara, stroke for stroke. But also looked happy to play second fiddle to Pujara for extended times of better part of the day. Pujara went on to get a very good double, a second double for the Indian team in two matches. Vijay kept going forward. His dismissal triggered a collapse of sorts as Indian tried to bat Aus out of the game. Dhoni smashed a few although Virat and Tendulkar should have done that. Indian got out for 500 plus and A crumbling pitch waited for Aus to surrender.

Ashwin. He was nearly the man of the match in the Chennai test where Dhoni just too the game away from Aus. 12 wickets in the first game, six in the second. 18 wickets in four innings, three five wickets haul. The flight and loop is back. There is visibly less reliance on variation and more on control . The wickets are there the taking, hopefully Bhajji has got his cue. Ashwin well supported by Jdeja through the series. Ashwin averaging less than 17 and Jadeja at 19. the virtues of spinning a ball on driving length along with natural variations bringing rich hauls to the lesser spinners.

The road ahead with is clear, claim the third test and hopefully and faster pitch on the fourth test for the more even contest.

Cricket: India relieved with win

Indians win the opening test of this test series against Aus. It is much to the relief of many fans, may be some of the players and good wishers of Indian cricket. Indians seem to have most check boxes ticked (almost?). There are always some check boxes which seem not so important, another blog for these kinda check boxes on some other day. Hint Opening batting, opening bowling. However, Ashwin 12 for in the match Dhoni's brilliant 224, Virat 106, he should have not spoil it by throwing it away. Tendulkar was sure and confident of his foot work. I am wondering what Murali Vijay and Ishant Sharma may be feeling, they hardly contributed towards anything. Ishant bowled couple of spells in the match, Vijay came out to bat couple of times. Sehwag form a major worry for now. India won.

Good toss to lose?

Wonder if Dhoni was lucky in many to have lost the toss? Bat first is the theme for most visiting teams, cause no one wants to chase on a crumbling pitch with the spinner making the ball turn and shoot, and spit venom like cobra, or the pitch bursting and exploding without a caution. Dhoni got lucky perhaps? What it doesn't do is to lend credit to theory but it does give lot of clues. Clarke perhaps came with a mindset not wanting to bat last on a raging turner (if at all), but it's in hindsight you always find more possibilities.

Aussies started well while batting first with Warner and Cowan laying a good foundation. A group of wickets and Phil hughes and openers fell in quick succession. Not sure is Phil Hughes will get more games. Watson started purposefully but than trapped leg before by Ashwin's faster delivery. Warner's wicket pushed Aus deeper into misery but than man if for the Aus captain guided the Aus team to a very good total. Moises Henriques batted well and game a good company, singles and boundaries started to come b more easily. Bhajji at least offered one delivery shot and wide or wayward delivery in each of his generous overs. Aus tailed wagged and the lower half contributed 230 runs for the last five wickets, most contributions from Clarke himself. Indian spinners took all the ten Aussie wickets.

Clarke is one batsman apart from Amla who could readily sleep walk on to the pitch and get a century if not more without breaking sweat. Clarke a man in prime form, posses daft touches and quick feet to alter the length of the bowler and play horizontal shots either side of the wicket or race down the wicket and hit the spinner in the air and over the top. A very formidable batsman in the prevailing conditions even against the Indian spinners. There is more expected out of Warner and Watson, simply because they are more accustomed to Indian conditions (IPL!). We are assured though in the next match a better prepared and better prepared Aus team will be seen competing. Dhoni's climb just got steeper.

India assured is reply.

12 for 2 and this innings had all the ingredients to see another of those famous collapse like the one in the previous series against England. Sehwag forms so poor that he is finding new ways of getting out. Murali Vijay didn't have much to sing and dance about, cleaned up by Pattinson before he could get into position. Sehwag tried to survive but his misery didn't last long, got out in a weird and funny manner, the ball lobbed back to hit the bail. Tendulkar's first stroke was that of assurance which all of India sought for better part of last season, a pitch up delivery timed to perfection and the ball went screeching towards the boundary, two more boundaries in next three deliveries and Tendulkar was back. Pujara and Sachin steadied the ship and chartered the course towards this chase. Pujara who seem to have good temperament and technique for test matches should look to build on a rare slip of concentration from him and he missed an incoming delivery. Pattinson was a raging bull. Virat Kohli, who seemed quiet for most of the English series also build up on the platform provided by Pujara-Tendulkar partnership, further flayed the Aussie attack and India saw end of second day with just 3 wickets down. Tendulkar and Kohli looking good on the crease both making fifties. In the backdrop of previous series a follow-on avoided seemed quiet an achievement.

Calm and the storm.

A nervy and intriguing first session on the third day. Lyon broke through Tendulkar, who was incited into a full ball spinning off break. A classic off spinners dismissal. Tendulkar beaten by spin and dip of the delivery. The calm went and the storm stepped in . Its not often that an Indian batsmen gets an applause that matches Tendulkar's reception but the Indian captain is in that league. Indian captain looked resolved and up for the challenge. Dhoni straightway started counter attacking. Aus bowlers bemused and besmirched but not up to the challenge, Kohli and Dhoni got a partnership going and Aus seem to loosing the grip on the match. A fifty run partnership in ten following overs. They got a solid partnership that got the score closer to Aus first innings. India felt out of the jail. Kohli got a very good century.

Kohli got out to weird kind a shot, it wasn't required as well. Dhoni has better capabilities to flay the ball and counter attack. Kohli hit an "over smart" stroke and holed out to mid on, Lyon again inciting an unwarranted stroke. This shot cost him a big chunky hundred, may be a double century for the taking. Kohli should have tried that stroke after crossing a score of two hundred. It would have been more productive. Kohli needs to score big chunky hundreds when he gets opportunity. Test match hundreds and victories are hard work and rare, why leave it away to someone else when the game is in balance?

Talking of balance, Dhoni has the swagger and the will. He may not be the most pleasing, perfect batsman to watch, but thats not the story. I really don't know how many people have hit a double century in two and half session with in a day. Dhoni has. He went on from strength to strength the longer he stayed at the crease the harder he hit them over the boundary, the harder it was for the bowlers to get him. He kept smashing them all afternoon. The bowlers were just smashed out of the attack, more than one bowler was taken out of the attack more than once, Henriques, Lyon, Starc. He should obviously bat at number six. Dhoni's method to his madness lies in his resolve , purpose and guts. It was a a huge turn around. 

I think I can dare say that Dhoni's innings was right up their with Laxman-Dravid partnership on the fourth day of THAT Eden Gardens test. He batted well with Kohli ad then did well to shepherded the tail, Ashwin and Bhajji should have done more, along with Kohli off course. Bhuvnesh on debut was his best partner. Bhuvnesh's task was simple, get on the strike for fourth and fifth ball and defend. If he was in strike than may be hold the fort or get a single. He did well. Bhuvnesh scored 21 runs in partnership with of 140 with Dhoni, as the lead swelled at nearly 5 an over. Well done Bhuvnesh.

Aus fight it to out the end.

Aussies had read the script. It was spin all the way. Batsman came and went and batsman were bluffed with the pitch and guile of the spin. Indian spinners claimed two wickets in the match. The one with most test wickets claimed just three in the entire test match though he supported Ashwin, well. Bhajji should read what Rahul Dravid has written for him on Cricinfo for him to find his mojo, right now its lost somewhere. The guile, the intrigue, the bite of the wicket, the hunger all seem missing from Bhajji's bowling. Ashwin came back from an indifferent English series. But stands right next to Dhoni with his 12 wickets in the match. Jadeja provided the break through when required. It was up to Henriques to put on some fight. He deserves a promotion as the best Aus batsman prepared to grind it out on a powdery pitch to lead the fight.

India had 50 runs to chase, Murali Vijay tonked a six, got out, Sehwag got out prodding, another new way of dismissal for him. The best part of the second innings was Tendulkar smashing two sixes of the first two balls he faced, Pujara completed the formality of claiming the winning run courtesy a bye and India completed a test victory much to relief for us Indian cricket fans.

The following part is the preview of the series post I couldnt post on time. :(

Like for like; this Aus vs India series makes an intriguing contest. It may not be the strongest Aus team to India, but then its not been the strongest India team to host Aus at home either. Indians in the previous series just imploded against England, after winning the first test. We prevailed against NZ and West Indies in previous season simply because we were playing at home and factors were in our favour. England just clobbered us. Aussies would want to do the same. Can Aussies attack and will Indians provided a challenge are some of the questions to be answered as both teams are in Transition and would look to build up from this series?

Aussies and their challenges.

Hussey more than Ponting would be missed very dearly. Both gentlemen have retired now. The batting onus is on cruise-to-double-century-in-a-day the inform Aussie captain Michael Clarke, Watson, Warner. Warner is a refined Sehwag for better or for worst. Watson, remains the key. Watson, Warner, if fit and Clarke should occupy first three of the four slots, but Aussie batting lean on Indian pitches... Aus new/old ball bowlers are a key. An indifferent bounce and reverse sewing is the name of the bowling aspect in the sub continent. Aussies do have their pace battery in place, Siddle, Starc, Pattinson, Johnson and other, it will be interesting which and how many spinners will be playing in the Aussie XI. Aussies looked more settled in the bowling department, this is not to suggest they are lean on batting. Aussies are much in flux and yet to form a team, though the core is in place. As we know by now opening the batting is no big deal in India, I am curious to know how many Aussies batsmen are queuing up to bat in India. Indian bowlers are pretty ordinary on current form and fitness. I think the focus should be on the bowlers, how there perform in tis series. Indian batsman have different challenges though.

Indian resistance and defense.

A good set of bowlers will win you more matches. If you look at the teams of the recent pasts you will see that great teams had some terrific bowlers, West Indies, Aussies for better part of last three decades. Safs seem to have bowlers bowling in terrific combination. One of the reason why Pak is formidable in conditions is the bowlers that they have. In India its different. The bowlers in India are hard to find and harder to remembers From out of no where the bowlers look pedestrian and out of nowhere they pick couple of wickets but they get back to being pedestrian too soon. India has produce some stellar batsmen, who have scored heavily at home and also delivered in alien conditions in last decade and a half. Indian bowling struggles at home and away. Often what goes under the radar, is bowlers performance when touring abroad and results are unfavourable. I am not sure if its to do with the lack of fitness or lack of ability of some other issue with our bowlers. India has won matches abroad when bowlers have contributed if not bettered the performances by out batsman. India needs bowlers, able to get back us in the game when all looks lost. For know Solomons Keys need to be searched to find four good seamer and three good spinners, who induce a mistakes and claim wickets and at times bowl a hostile spell and claim victories. It is a far fetched team considering there are more bowlers on recuperating rooster than the playing one.

I am not sure if its Tendulkar's last season/series. He has done everything a batsman could do. He carried the dreams of an entire generation. He should consider retiring at the end of the series not before flaying Aussies like he has done when they have toured earlier. Pujara looks good for now. Kohli seems just off the boil, Raina and Yuvraj unsure. I was surprise to know Zak wasn't playing, injury of a break, I don't know. I hoped he would play a big series He has couple of left handers, whom Zaks loves to bowl.

If the present Australian team is the weakest to tour India, then present Indian team is the weakest to host Australia. There are too many check boxes to fill, Dhoni's captaincy and batting prowess, Sehwag form, Tendulkar's career, middle order partnership of Pujara-Kohli-He-whoever other.

Although thin on experience, this Aus-India series will be interesting to see specially if India wins. :P