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The aftermath of India-England test series

Ever since I have been following cricket, one thing that I found very common in newspapers was an analysis of all the players after an important or crucial tour. The writer would analyse each and every player on his performance and give him ratings accordingly. Perhaps, there are genuinely more important and vital issues going all thorough out the nation and hence I could not see any such article being scripted. So, I would like to take this opportunity to write down one. Though, I do not claim to be a cricket guru, but I do have a very substantial knowledge about cricket. So here is a report card for the Indian players on the tour.

Abhinav Mukund: Well well well, opportunities do not come your way much when you have chosen to be a part of the national Indian cricket team. This is one thing that he does need to keep in mind, though he started off promisingly, but it later appeared as if he was more scared of the bowlers than the bowls. But I am glad that he was at least given a chance over IPL fame Murali Vijay. At least Mukund gets runs at international level unlike pathetic Murali Vijay.
My rating: 4 out of 10

Gautam Gambhir: Ohh poor boy, had a tough series. Injured->out->in->injured. Tried fighting till he persisted in the final test even after being severely injured. That's the only instance Gambhir would be remembered about when talked about this series.
My rating: 5 out of 10

Virender Sehwag: Played the last 2 tests only, but I must say Viru did make a mark. A king's pair it was. And on both the occasions, of the very first delivery, asaan nahi tha. Pheww!!
My rating: 3 out of 10

Rahul Dravid: Notably the best Indian batsman on show. 3 centuries in 4 test matches is remarkable, but loners do not win battles Rahul, and great answer to the selectors by denouncing from ODIs. Bhot kar liya desh k liye, apni bhi kuch self respect hoti hai. Jab chaha nikal diya, jab chaha bula liya. Nonetheless, awesome batting, yes, you dropped two crucial catches, but then, for India this series was like who made less mistakes. 
My rating: 9 out of 10

Sachin Tendulkar: We will wait, Master for your 100th. Chalo theek hai, araam se bana lena. It's rather too impractical and idiotic mindset of people to be expecting you to score a ton every time you come out to bat. However, this test series did not see Sachin at his best, sadly!
My rating: 6 out of 10

VVS Laxman: A rather unexpected show put up by him. Though got out of genuinely good deliveries on a few occasions, but this seemed to be one of those tours when India's most "special" batsman decided to take a break from the sole torch bearer for the tailenders.
My rating: 5.5 out of 10

Yuvraj Singh: Once you clobbered Stuart Broad for 36. I miss those days. He has definitely improved, have you?
My rating: 6 out of 10

Suresh Raina: If for once, we could ignore your first innings score in the first test, your average is below 4.00 for this series. Instead of following Sehwag on the record for King pairs, it would be much better if you followed him on his records towards scoring tripe centuries. I wish.
My rating: 4.5 out of 10

MS Dhoni: The Captain Cool, MSD, at least you could now escape the wrath of spectators and media on your own form. You have two scores of 70 odd runs this series. But I must say, cool captaincy! First big series after becoming the world champions, and the result is what you call awesome-ness. Also, the main culprit for India's dismal performance. MSD, losers make excuses!
P.S: Happy Married life MSD!
My rating: 4 out of 10

Harbhajan Singh: All attitude and no result. Is baar to batting me bhi kuch nahi kar paye Bhajji which used to save you from getting chucked out of the team, but fortunately the inevitable had to happen this time.
My rating: 2.5 out of 10

Zaheer Khan: Get well soon, Zaheer. India misses its best bowler.
My rating: Well, he did bowl well till he was fit, but then fitness is a major issue that players need to tackle. Ratings not applicable here.

Praveen Kumar: Good performance. It did not appear to be your second test series. However, the fitness betrayal continued here as well, so did the fielding blues.
My rating: 8 out of 10

Amit Mishra: Why do our bowlers often forget the main purpose they are supposed to serve. Mishra ji, 84 runs bana lene se next time selection pakka nahi hoga. Bowling pe dhyan do.
My rating: 4 out of 10

Sreesanth: Bowled decently in patches, though threw away his efforts in the fire set up by his lack of patience and more of irrelevant enthusiasm at times. Ineffective, yet noticeable, Sreesanth ki life ki kahani!
My rating: 5.5 out of 10

Ishant Sharma: One of the better Indian bowlers on this tour. More of focus and less of blabber is what he requires. Appeared as if he can bat a bit as well. May be can guide his fellow mates.
My rating: 6.5 out of 10

RP Singh: What a performance, I mean, your premium fast bowler bowls at an average speed of 120 kmph, what more can you ask for. Congrats for such a "vital" performance RP. You have cemented your place in the side.
My rating: 1 out of 10

Well, I would say these ratings are my personal opinion and should not be taken too seriously. Just felt like scripting it!
All the best Indian team, come back soon and support the cause for anti-corruption. Make us realize you are of some worth.


10 comments:

  1. oouch..dat was harsh on indian cricket team... but they lost how many matches..ohh all the 4 ...very disappointing :(
    and the article is great..lots of appreciation
    ps: RP ko 1 rating bas khelne k liye di h kya :D

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  2. I know harsh it is. But then you get angry on those from whom you expect a lot. And yes, RP Singh would be better having not played, but our "Captain Cool" thought that a player who hasn't played any kind of cricket for months could do wonders!

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  3. Will share it with my mom, she is analyzing team India from few days...:)

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  4. I'd rather comment on the overall team rather than pick and dissect the performance of each and every player. Yes, they all performed on varying levels of fitness and pressure, but then each one is unique. But when they come and play together, they are a team and stand and fall together.

    A nice read albeit.

    Cheers,
    Blasphemous Aesthete

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  5. @Saru: I'll take that as a compliment :) thank you!

    @Anshul: Obviously so! But here, I just wanted to write such an article. I was just penning down the mind :)

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  6. I would like to title you as "Cricket Guru" dude.. This is a good analysis, and I am one of the hearts who expects 100 from every innings he plays but what to do. It is a tough time for Team India and Sachin.. (6 out of 10) Good.. But I feel dhoni should have got more points, after all he is lone batsman in third test..

    Someone is Special

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  7. @SiS: Thank you so much for that title :) Well, the ratings are given taking in consideration all the aspects of a player. For Dhoni, the captaincy bit was also taken into account, where I felt he failed miserably. He could not motivate his team when it was required and I felt he WAS the major culprit, though his batting was fair, not great for sure!

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  8. Team India should be thanking to the Anna Hazare that media was busy in Anna stuff and didnt screw the Team India much...Lol

    By the way, here is my IndiVine post. Check it and if you like it then please Promote it too there on IndiVine.

    http://www.indiblogger.in/indipost.php?post=72607

    Thanks :)

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  9. Fairly true, I would say :D

    By the way, good luck for the contest.

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  10. Thanks Sridhar. IPL or not, they screwed it up big time plus they did not had the best of luck as well.

    ReplyDelete

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