- It will amount to lying if someone mentions that die-hard fans of Team India are not concerned with the turn of events after the last series played against New Zealand. After a crushing two-Test match series win against visiting Bangladesh, Team India was expected to roll over against the Kiwis in a three-Test match series at home. However, what transpired in the series against the Kiwis is not only shocking to the millions of cricket fans in the country but also to the players and support staff of Team India too where none expected to see the fancied hosts getting whitewashed with such disdain. The abject surrender in their own backyards and against the guiles of the visiting spinners would have rendered the cricket-crazy fans in India shell-shocked.
PC: Cricket Addictor
- The timid way with which Indian cricketers were bamboozled by the less decorated Kiwi spinners must have made the connoisseurs wonder what was happening to the famed cricketers’ fabulous exploits on the home grounds. What was at stake before the beginning of the series was a place in the finals of the ICC Test Championship. Now that appears a distant dream since Team India finds itself squandering whatever advantages it had envisaged leading up to the three-match series. Of course, some of the biggest Indian cricketers’ names were besmirched, and carefully curated credentials over the years took a severe beating is stating the obvious. An unexpected turn of events meant going back to the boardroom to reassess the strategies for all concerned.
- With their pride pricked and reputations lying in tatters, Team India has crossed the seas to play a mouthwatering five-match Test series against Australia. Now, cricket fans familiar with Team Australia’s playing prowess would note that it’s not easy to overcome the hosts in their den. Nonetheless, Team India has emerged successful in their two previous tours Down Under must accord some solace for the battered visitors to regroup to mount a palpable challenge squaring off against Australia. Mind you, Team India must win the series 4-0 to reach the finals of the Test Championship. Going by the look of things, this task appears insurmountable as some of the key aging batters are not in their prime to score heavily to set up the bowlers to go for the jugular.
PC: DNA India
- Not for nothing, cricket is termed a game of uncertainties. And miracles do happen when most unexpected. The turnaround is always around the corner, and as such, Team India should not give up hopes of not only mounting a serious challenge to the marauding Aussies but also displaying a fearless brand of aggressive but calculated cricket to stay afloat and beat the best. It will take one or two defining cricketing moments to turn the tide and Team India is well equipped as well as bestowed with some of the best cricketing geniuses to have played the game. For this to fructify, the famed Indian batters must be at their best by notching up big scores to enable the bowlers to come into the equation. Indian fans would be fervently hoping for the miracle to unfold.
