Of number 1s and 'killer' instincts

Another day, another litany of criticism being shot at the Indian cricket team. In the midst of it all, I couldn't help but gaze in amazement at the manner in which cricket experts and fans alike, were reacting to these events. So let's counter this with a dose of reality.

After a frustrating day in the field, India were eventually set 180 to win at 4 runs an over. Ten Cricket's lunch time show, 'Straight Drive', featured two seasoned pundits, Arun Lal and Tony Greig, agreeing that India should easily chase down such a score. Lal saheb even went as far as to suggest that India shouldn't consider themselves a true number 1 side if they don't chase this, and went on to vent his disappointment at the prospect of India not taking on the chase. Many Indian fans, raised on a diet of IPL and slam bang, winning-World Cups-with-sixes style ODI cricket lapped it all up.

4 an over? Easy shit!! Bring on the powerplays!!!

The chase was on, but with 15 overs remaining, 85 needed off 90 deliveries, Laxman motioned to the umpire whether they could call it off, and once he received the nod of approval, he walked off with his buddy Rahul Dravid - who spent 2 hours at the crease to make 34 off 89. Shock and awe was the order of the day, with even Darren Sammy claiming he was surprised. Widespread condemnation ensued. You would think that Dravid's dropped catch off Chanderpaul (Dravid has been a liability in the slips for a long time now, despite the odd blinder here and there) or the 9th wicket partnership surviving 37 overs would warrant greater criticism and ridicule.

Let's deal with the surprise factor first. For those unaware, this ISN'T the first time India have given up a test in the name of risk-free cricket. By memory, Ahmedabad 2002 vs England, Nagpur 2006 vs England, the Oval 2007 vs England are some of the numerous examples of draws being conceded when a win was possible. It surprises me that an entire legion of cricket enthusiasts and followers failed to remember some of these instances when the batsmen called it off. The fact is, what happened today was not an aberration, it was a safety first approach that is CHARACTERISTIC of our Indian cricket team.

"Bah, THIS is how you win a series!"

If you look at the matches mentioned above, you may notice that the usual suspects took part in those matches, with Rahul Dravid's presence being particularly noteworthy for the amount of time he consumed at the crease. As long as India relies on the likes of Dravid and Laxman in the middle order, this safety first approach will be the norm. That begs the question, why do they play like this? Think back to the tour of 1996, when India failed to chase 120 at Bridgetown. A generation of cricketers scarred by bad memories are unlikely to take risks even when the situation suits. They are dead set in their methods, and will continue to be as long as they play. As the saying goes, old dogs don't learn new tricks. It's up to the next generation to take the team in a different direction, a bit like how Dhoni did with his bold declaration in the 2nd test. 

Funnily enough, I can hear the mob reacting..."But waaaaaaaaaaait, isn't this Indian side the number 1 team in the world? Aren't we fucking amazing, aren't we the team that should show KILLER INSTINCT in situations like this, by kicking ass and taking names?"  The frequently asked question is whether the Aussies of the 00s or the Windies of the 80s would have done the same. My response to this is, 'WHO FUCKING CARES?'. At the end of the day, India are indisputably the best test side in the world. How does a refusal to chase 85 off 90 have any bearing on this? They are at the top now and if they continue to win series they will deservedly be ranked the number 1 side in the world. Whether the Windies or the Aussies of the past would have done things differently is immaterial, the same exercise in futility as assuming what Bradman's average would have been had he played in the modern era. If comparisons are your thing, go wonder whether the Windies or Aussie sides exercised significantly greater control over the weather than India did.

"Not bad, but couldn't they be bigger?"

Ultimately, one man's trash is another man's treasure. 0-1 doesn't glimmer the way 0-2 or 0-3 does, but I am sure Pakistan wouldn't mind a 0-1 series win in WI, having never won there in their entire history, and niether would our nearest contenders England, who were embarrassingly bowled out for 51 (in a series clinching innings defeat)  during their last trip there. Heck, the Windies didn't even win and their crowd gave them a standing ovation! Complaining about a 0-1 win is a bit like complaining about the size of your girlfriend's tits while you wonder how much bigger the other girls were. When you consider that some people can't even get laid and would kill to have your B-cup wearing girl, you will realise how good you really have it.

Like most drivers on India's roads, Mr. Arun Lal and my fellow Indian cricket followers motor along in U-turns instead of staying on the right lane. Today's 'debacle' will be forgotten in a heart beat once India win a game or two in England. And that's when I will take the time to read over this post, and have a chuckle to myself.