How and Where has the Indians gone wrong?

India's continued woes of poor form, has put the BCCI into a shock and shame. 

When I look back into the last 9 months of India's disastarous performance, I feel the following reasons simply weigh heavily, not that it requires a scientist to tell us.

Reflexes of Indian Batsman has waned:

Yes, to me, this is the prime most reason for this illfated away tour. When India played against W.Indies in India, the re was not only any swing in the air but also the ball will come onto the bat much slower. Thus Batsmen had time to wait and play for the shots. But, in England and Australia, the ball not only swings in the air but off the pitch as well. This coupled with ball coming onto the bat at around 150 kmph requires batsmens to have reflexes and poor reflexes lead down to the top order batsmen lead to the dismissal. This can be attributed to the ageing of the team. Out of 6 batsmen, we have 4 batsmen who have crossed their prime age and 3 batsmen who are bound for retirement 2 years ago. If one needs to see the average of the batsmen till date, it reads as Sehwag, 25, Gambhir-23, Dravid-27, Sachin-40, Laxman-17 and Kohli-40. Whereas Aussies average of the top order includes Warner-44, Cowan-34, Marsh-3, Ponting-109, Clarke-125, Hussey-59. Though Hussey and Ponting must be mulling over their retirement plans, their reflexes and ftness are much superior to that of Indians. This reflex problem has lead to catches being dropped at slips, with what Dravid and Laxman dropping catches allowing batsmen to score runs at will.

The avrage Opening Partnership is 15 during the last 9 months:

Yes, when No.3 and No.4 batsmen are at the crease within the 1^st 10 overs for about 16 innings, this tells the sorry state of affairs of the Indians openers. Thus the negotiating of new ball rests with the No.3 and No.4 and not with No.1 and No.2

When Ponting can Demote to No.4, why cant Dravid?

When Ponting was not scoring runs, Clarke demoted himself, to allow Ponting to play at No.4, so that the middle order does not cave in. This allowed Ponting to score runs heavily against Indians. When the Wall started caving in, innings after innings, it would have been wiser to send Kohli at No.3 and Laxman at No.6.

Indians did not play to their strength.

MSD was mindful of 2 bowlers injuring themselves again at the start of the tour, but still took the risk of playing both the fast bowlers in Zaheer and Ishant. India did not play to the advantage of the pitch that was offered – Melborne, Sydney and Adelaide. These  are pitches that will offer turn and bounce and  Aussies are not good players of left arm spin. Still Indians missed the trick by not trying Ohja on these conditions. Including him would also have been a slow run rate by Aussies as well.

Attitude, really a big question

The attitude of the Aussies were simply too good – When they lost to NewZealand, with 9 days to go for the start of the Test match against Indians, the Coach and the Seniors met them in Brisbane to provide finer batting skills that deprived of the much needed rest. But, Indians, were seen practicing only 3 days prior to the 3^rd test match, though there were 9 days rest between the 2^nd and the 3^rd. This sums up the attitude.

What should be done to revamp this?

Its easy to remain in this side but not talking much on the revamping side. Yes, this calls for a complete overhauling of the current system, if need to retain the No.1 slot in Test cricket and not mere tweaking this  Indian side.

Short Term Goal:

(a) I feel today, Indian selectors are expecting Senior players to understand the situation to make way for youngsters so that things will fall in its place automatically. Instead Give Dravid, Laxman and Sachin an altimatum - a time slot to depart from the scene. Allow Rohit, Kohli, Raina, Pujara, Badri to NCA to get most of the practice even during off-season. Give them a time of 2-3 years or 10 test matches before trying others.

(b) All Top Indian Test batsmen should play atleast 2-3 ranji Trophy matches, when there is no Test Cricket and their selection will be on the basis of having played the requisite matches. I haven't seen Sachin, Laxman, Sehwag, Gambir, MSD nor Dravid play for their respective state in the recent times

(c) Remove Duncan Fletcher as the Coach since I honestly feel that they disregard him. Remember last when the performance was miserable, it was later learnt that it was Greg Chappel who played the spoil sport and things got changed because of the presence of Gary Kirsten. Thus appoint aggressive former Indian players as the coach. To me, while Ganguly can be made as the Indian Coach (atleast this will allow a youngster to play for Bengal Ranji side :-)), and Kumble to be made as Motivational Mentor. Indian players have great regard for these two men.

(c) Take care of Rohit, Kohli in such a way that they should not play National T20 matches. Have horses for courses. Test cricket is a different league altogether. Preserve these players for preserving test cricket. Cricket is not about money it is about pride that they for India.

Long Term

Pitches in India should help fast bowlers. All curators in India should convene a meeting to discuss the soil from which it can help them to deliver bowling fast. There should be some pitches which should only aid spin. BCCI should appoint a committee and review the system every month to ensure that these things happen.

Top Indian Test batsmen and bowlers should play only 2-3 IPL matches, thus ensuring that the slog hitting is different from test cricket batting, but enure the payment is for the entire course of the tournament.

There has to be batsmen for Test cricket and bowlers for Test Cricket, so that injury scares are handled properly..

India A team should be sent to England and Australia every year. India A team should be the combination of players who have helped their team to reach the knock-out phase i.e., quarter-final level.

Summary:To me, the Ranji Trophy systems itself needs a completing overhauling since teams are satisfied with 1st innings lead. This defensive attitude and mindset is already set in their young age and this continues to evolve even after they wear their national cap. What is learnt in the young age refuse to die hard.....