Another Team, Another Venue, Same Story

India lost the first test match by 40 runs. If you take the day 3 and day 4 performance out of the picture, it is really a comeback of sorts. But inspite of a tremendous recovery which nearly won us the test, our inconsistent performance in a test match has resulted in a loss, again.

Just for the sake of equality, I will not bring in the 2011-2012 0-8 whitewash into picture while discussion. The team now is entirely different from the team back then.

A few months back, South Africa nearly managed to pull off a miracle chase, thanks to marathon centuries from De Villers and Faf Du Plessis. Now, till the very 4th day of the test, we were commanding for a victory in the test, thanks to some inspired performances from Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara. Just when our lead was poised to overcome the 500 run barrier, a spectacular lower middle order collapse lead to India folding up with a lead of 450 odd runs. And add to that, some uninspired bowling in the 4th innings which nearly cost the match which India should have won.

Now, even going into the second day of the 2nd test, India were in a commanding position of 181 for the loss of 1 wicket. But another spectacular collapse let down India.

Another country, another venue, same story. India were down the barrel coming into the third day. But bowlers and the batsmen nearly pulled off a miracle victory over the Kiwis. But some suicidal batting from Indian middle order, along with some dubious decisions, lead India’s 11th overseas loss in the last 12 matches abroad.

Now, there is a similar pattern in all the three tests. The team performs outrageously bad in any one of the innings of the test, which eventually leads to the team’s overall failure. Now that is not expected from a world class team, who’s dismal record away from home continues to worsen with each passing day. It is not about performing well in parts. To win the test match, the team must perform well throughout the match. What if bowlers had bowled well in the last innings of Johannesburg test? What if batsmen hadn’t failed in the 2nd test in SA and the first innings here?

India could have won the test today, and even at the Johannesburg, if not for the inconsistency and lack of killing instinct. The batsmen, especially the middle order, need to be responsible. Today’s Rohit Sharma’s and Jadeja’s dismissal was a pure case of lack of concentration. While Sharma poked an outswinger off the very first ball after the new ball was taken, Jadeja went for one shot too many, after he was caught in mid on trying to clear the outfield.

These are just bits and pieces of barriers the team needs to overcome. The team must realise that there are no Laxmans and Dravids left in the team and it is their responsibility to step up and perform when the team needs. Dhawan showed ample amount of maturity today, playing a perfect opener’s knock. This is the right time for the batsmen, and bowlers alike, to learn their mistake. Else whitewashes are inevitable in England and Australia.