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[kaustav]

While the performance of India is terribly disappointing but one could have easily expected it; I am going to repeat what I have said a few times already---- first game of an Aussie tour, don't even think about an Indian win. I am sure they will improve from here onwards; I don't think the Aussies have the bowling firepower like the one England displayed a few months back to subdue this Indian batting line up for an entire series.

The concern about the age is absolutely valid. I feel India had reached the peak during the last couple of seasons during which it attained the number one status in the world and also won the world cup. However, India did not and will not be able to inspire the awe that the West Indies and Australia had displayed during their reign as the top side in World Cricket simply because of a not so lethal bowling line-up outside of the subcontinent. India is now looking at a massive rebuilding process and the middle order will look quite different in about 2 years time.




 

[kaustav]

Problem with India is the youth are failing. They havnt managed to find anyone adequate to fill ganguly's position....... Yuvraj and Raina are duds, Kholi seems the pick of them, but looked terrible at the highest level. Is that run machine Badrinath still plundering Ranji?

Good points man. These are the biggest nightmares for the supporters. Can one imagine the hole in the middle order without Sachin, Laxman and Dravid? Sehwag is not in his 20s either.

[Vic Nicholas]

I don't think the Aussies have the bowling firepower like the one England displayed a few months back to subdue this Indian batting line up for an entire series.

Given how Pattinson, Siddle and Hilfenhaus bowled in this test, I don't think the difference is that great (IMHO).

The biggest difference is that we do not have greentop pitches in Oz like in England. Greentops are like cryptonite to these Indians. Sydney will be more to their liking as it should take turn on days four and five, Adelaide which turns a little on day five is a road and Perth, the bounce will kill them.

[uknsaunders]

Schewag is 33. Unlike Dravid/Tendulkar, he isn't a technique man it's all hand eye. Therefore I doubt he'll last more than 2-3 years as his reflexes slow. He might survive as a middle order batter a bit longer, that's how ponting and hussey are managing albeit with better techniques.

[uknsaunders]

The biggest difference is that we do not have greentop pitches in Oz like in England.

Those weren't greentops in 2011 lol! A little more grass but Lords/Oval were as pretty much white and Trent Bridge/Edgbaston weren't far off by day 2.

[kaustav]

The world didn't have a strong india team for most of the 20th century and cricket seemed to manage ok lol

As a sidenote then,
India have managed to win 2 world cups, 1 T20 WC.
Pakistan too has won 1 WC and 1T20 WC.
Sri-Lanka has won 1 WC too.

I wonder why some teams have missed out on these even though they have had stronger teams for a longer time...lol

Sorry guys--had to bring that one up 

[FvanN]

As a sidenote then,
India have managed to win 2 world cups, 1 T20 WC.
Pakistan too has won 1 WC and 1T20 WC.
Sri-Lanka has won 1 WC too.

I wonder why some teams have missed out on these even though they have had stronger teams for a longer time...lol

Sorry guys--had to bring that one up 

Im staying out of this one cause my team chokes every time....

[Village Trundler]

Schewag is 33. Unlike Dravid/Tendulkar, he isn't a technique man it's all hand eye. Therefore I doubt he'll last more than 2-3 years as his reflexes slow. He might survive as a middle order batter a bit longer, that's how ponting and hussey are managing albeit with better techniques.

Very true. Lots of good readers of the game reckon he is in his twilight now.

Gambhir looks like he's been taking batting lessons off Phil Hughes too.

[uknsaunders]

As a sidenote then,
India have managed to win 2 world cups, 1 T20 WC.
Pakistan too has won 1 WC and 1T20 WC.
Sri-Lanka has won 1 WC too.

I wonder why some teams have missed out on these even though they have had stronger teams for a longer time...lol

Sorry guys--had to bring that one up 

England won the last t20 wc btw
Aussie won the 1987 wc (in india)

Neither were the strongest, on paper.

Proves my point. India won the 1983 wc when the Windies were clearly the best team. India weren't a great team in any format at that time. Didin't do cricket any harm.

[kaustav]

England won the last t20 wc btw
Aussie won the 1987 wc (in india)

Neither were the strongest, on paper.

Proves my point. India won the 1983 wc when the Windies were clearly the best team. India weren't a great team in any format at that time. Didin't do cricket any harm.

True; it seems we are on the same page then

[thedon]

uksaunders made a good point..I think Khans stint in county cricket developed him as a bowler, Ohja too.  The BCCI is riddled with corruption and this in turn is showing in the teams failures. BCCI is the richest board in world cricket, but grass roots cricket, and the nuture is young cricketers is somewhat ignored. State preferences for team selection has not always brought about the best 11 to be selected.

Kohli needs time. Gambhir needs to be dropped. Bring in Rahane. Laxman needs to be slowly phased out, bringing in Pujara.  I would have loved to see Rayadu in an Indian shirt.

I think the bowling attack looks ok. P.Kumar will be the obvious successor of khan. V.Arun will come good too. Ashwin is young and will only get better.

Normally the first test for India abroad is a no contest. Seeing India have actually made a fight of this one only inspires me to think we will go on and win the series!!!!  ( forever an optimist)

[uknsaunders]

Gambhir looks like he's been taking batting lessons off Phil Hughes too.

Looks shot to me after England. Everytime somebody bangs it in he doesn't like it. Middle order safety for him and not being available to tour 

[kaustav]

Yes, but brace yourself for a couple of years of struggle though as the old players retire and new ones try to take their place.

[thedon]

I know..still havent been able to replace dada

[Vic Nicholas]

Rohit Sharma, Pujara, Badrinath and Mukund need to be given an extended run.

Kohli is a show pony in the mould of Yuvraj Singh...loves the flat track and short boundries of India.

The bowling looks OK, though lacking in depth. I would bring in Unadkat before Praveen Kumar.

India have young players, but the BCCI is screwing them all over with their skewed priorities.