Rambling thoughts
The recent loss to Aus by 333 runs at home
is a big blow. We were deceived by the current team’s performance, largely at home.
Weaker or not is not the issue.
Australia is not the strong team they were,
lost to SA at home recently
Pakistan fought well there but lost to Australia.
NZ beat them too.
Overseas – we have had some bad bad losses
We have had some horrendous performances over the last 30-40 years.
42 all out – India vs England 1974 (Wadekar led)
England thrashing us 3-0 in that series
Home
We lost badly to Pakistan (2006), Australia (2007), South Africa
at home
We did not have strong teams always.
It took a long time to build one – a lot changed after Kapil came into the scene
Kapil won in England 2-0
Dravid won in England 1-0
Dravid won in Pakistan and West Indies.
No other captain has won in England – not even Dhoni !
We got thrashed in England and Australia (Dhoni led!!)
The team of Sachin, Dravid, VVS, Sehwag, Ganguly have seen lots of defeats and showed great mental strength to fight – Kumble, Harby, Srinath, Prasad did their part
2001 Calcutta was the turnaround – Amazing performance by VVS and Dravid. And Harby
This was like 1983 world cup win.
Steve Waugh’s team had 16 wins in a row !!
Sadly there is a lot adulation around Sachin not enough appreciation of Dravid, Laxman
Virat is a great batsman yet as a captain he needs to show the transformation
Secondly why not make Ashwin vice-captain?
We may come back in the series but the team is still brittle. This is where captaincy matters.
Virat is not a Brearly or a Waugh.
His own performance will come under pressure.
This is also a mental game.
Our opponents are traditionally stronger in that department, at least as things stand.