Is it a Win or Survival

Despite a poor start in the series, India has won the Test-Series in England. It is a great achievement for Dravid and his men. But I am worried about the Captains’ attitude.

What makes a winner stand out of looser and moderate crowd is the hunger to win. Winners do not get satisfied with one achievement (telling themselves how great it is) and they continuously fight for more and more. Australian Cricket is a perfect example of it. Australians have taken their goals to such a high level that them loosing a game looks so unexpected.

This winning attitude was missing during third test. Despite a huge first innings lead, India did not force a follow-on on England. As per the reports, Indian team looked unconvinced about facing England bowling attack on the last day (if there would have been any need). The second disappointing surprise was slow pace of Indian batting (except Ganguly). I think captain Dravid has made his mind to settle down with a draw (and not loose the match with a dramatic turn). He was also eager to add a few runs to his own pocket (personally it has been a flop series for him so far), even if it costs a probably team win.

This series win does not prove too much about Indian Strength. If first test was not rain-affected, then final result would have been much different. But this truth does not reflect in Dravid’s attitude. He seem to be on cloud-nine. I think he has convinced himself how great a Captain he is. Even most of Indian fans must be convinced about the same (such short-sighted they are).

W hat I would have loved to see from India was a Must-Win attitude in third test. But instead of killing the bird, they were trying to make sure that the captured bird does not slip away from their pockets. This does not make a winner. It only makes surviver. And how long you survive is just a matter of chance.

Sweet taste of Victory

Finally Team India sealed one more victory on foreign soil. Apparently they are the second most (after Auz) successful Team on foreign soil in current millennium. Indian team overpowered English in every field of the game. Every Indian batsman looked determined (which is rarely expected) and bowlers did a great job. This test match will be remembered for long, for the great display by Indian Players. But this match will also be remembered for many other reasons:

(1) Sledging: Jelly-Beans offered to Zaheer by English team started non-cricketing fight on the field. There was sledging, there were gestures, and there was even physical touch (between srisanth and the english captain vaughan) on the field. While Srisanth has come out with a 50% match fee, english press is still haunting the England Cricket team and blaming the “lack of focus on Cricket” as the major factor for their loss.

(2) Poor Umpiring Decisions: There were many poor umpiring decisions made in this match. Simon Taufel who has won “ICC umpire of the year award” for last three years consecutively, made a double mistake. He gave Sachin and Saurav out (in first innings) whereas the TV replays indicated that they were not out. In the second England Innings, Michael Vaughan also got out on a controversial decision.

(3) Poor English Luck: This loss to England comes just after the victory slept out of their hands due to heavy rains. A week back, English team would not have expected being 1-0 down in the series. Poor English!

(4) Ganguly-Dravid Chemistry: Another memorable incidence of the match was Saurav and Dravid on the crease at the victory moment. Though many people believe that they can not stand each other, but, they were seen hugging after the victory.

(5) Another betting racket: Another betting racket got busted during the final day of this match. Though India performed greatly in this match. But whenever I hear any thing about betting, the meories of match-fixing starts hitting my heads.