Time for introspection
An analysis of individual performances in the Tests against England
Dileep Premachandran
23-Mar-2006
India's reputation as a formidable side on home soil took another pounding
in this drawn series. But for three or four individuals who gave it their
all, a weakened English side might even have snatched a famous victory. The
once-feted batting line-up appears down for the count and serious
revitalisation is needed before they embark on overseas adventures. The
freshness of youth, allied with Anil Kumble's experience, gave the bowling
an extra edge, but some appalling batting ensured that it came to naught
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Anil Kumble
Magnificent at Mohali, tireless at Mumbai. Words are inadequate to describe what he brings to this team. Illustrated how his repertoire has broadened with the dismissals of Bell and Collingwood at Mohali, and if the lion-hearted bowling wasn't enough, he was also third-highest scorer with the bat, singled out by Flintoff as "a tricky batsman to get rid of". Put down the odd chance at gully to blot the copy-book, but on the whole, he had nothing to do with India's dismal underachievement in the series.
8
Munaf Patel
His spells at Mohali and Mumbai (first innings) were a revelation, with genuine pace and reverse swing creating plenty of chances. Bowls with great control, and with a few tweaks here and there and some more variety, he can be the express bowler that India have sought ever since Javagal Srinath exited stage left.
Munaf Patel
His spells at Mohali and Mumbai (first innings) were a revelation, with genuine pace and reverse swing creating plenty of chances. Bowls with great control, and with a few tweaks here and there and some more variety, he can be the express bowler that India have sought ever since Javagal Srinath exited stage left.
8
S Sreesanth
The promise revealed on debut in Nagpur was confirmed by a sterling first-innings showing at Mumbai. Bowls at lively pace, and gets lovely shape away from the right-hander. Unlucky with some wretched catching, but in just two Tests, he has moved right to the front of the pace-bowling queue - along with Munaf. A manic defiant innings at Mumbai also showed that he has the fortitude to cope with tougher tests.
S Sreesanth
The promise revealed on debut in Nagpur was confirmed by a sterling first-innings showing at Mumbai. Bowls at lively pace, and gets lovely shape away from the right-hander. Unlucky with some wretched catching, but in just two Tests, he has moved right to the front of the pace-bowling queue - along with Munaf. A manic defiant innings at Mumbai also showed that he has the fortitude to cope with tougher tests.
8
Mohammad Kaif
Was outstanding in the one outing he got before making way for Yuvraj Singh. But for his 91, India might even have left Nagpur red-faced and humiliated. Never the most fluent shot-maker, he made up for it with sheer perseverance and superb temperament. Has problems while catching in the close-in cordon, but is an electric presence in the covers.
Mohammad Kaif
Was outstanding in the one outing he got before making way for Yuvraj Singh. But for his 91, India might even have left Nagpur red-faced and humiliated. Never the most fluent shot-maker, he made up for it with sheer perseverance and superb temperament. Has problems while catching in the close-in cordon, but is an electric presence in the covers.
7
Rahul Dravid
His failure in the final innings at Mumbai cost India the game, but the damage had been done earlier by his decision to field first on a pitch that was hardly verdant green. Did what he could with the bat throughout the series, and his gritty 95 at Mohali helped set up the win. Shelled some simple catches, and pouched a couple of stupendous ones. Still coming to grips with the captaincy, and not helped by the batting shambles around him.
Rahul Dravid
His failure in the final innings at Mumbai cost India the game, but the damage had been done earlier by his decision to field first on a pitch that was hardly verdant green. Did what he could with the bat throughout the series, and his gritty 95 at Mohali helped set up the win. Shelled some simple catches, and pouched a couple of stupendous ones. Still coming to grips with the captaincy, and not helped by the batting shambles around him.
7
Wasim Jaffer
Batted splendidly at Nagpur for a maiden century, but failed to convert his starts thereafter. Has the temperament for the job, and the range of strokes, but his technique will be severely tested in more trying conditions. As the series wore on, England figured out how to keep him scoreless and wear him down.
Wasim Jaffer
Batted splendidly at Nagpur for a maiden century, but failed to convert his starts thereafter. Has the temperament for the job, and the range of strokes, but his technique will be severely tested in more trying conditions. As the series wore on, England figured out how to keep him scoreless and wear him down.
6
Irfan Pathan
His superb batting gave India a vital first-innings lead at Mohali, but he was largely disappointing with the ball. Occasionally a threat when the ball was new and moving around, he offered next to nothing once it got old. Outbowled by both Munaf Patel and S Sreesanth, the question now is whether he deserves to be given the new ball. Unless there's dramatic improvement, his role looks likely to be that of the third seamer/allrounder/stock bowler.
Irfan Pathan
His superb batting gave India a vital first-innings lead at Mohali, but he was largely disappointing with the ball. Occasionally a threat when the ball was new and moving around, he offered next to nothing once it got old. Outbowled by both Munaf Patel and S Sreesanth, the question now is whether he deserves to be given the new ball. Unless there's dramatic improvement, his role looks likely to be that of the third seamer/allrounder/stock bowler.
5
Mahendra Singh Dhoni
Didn't enhance his reputation in a series that fetched him only 106 runs. Revealed the responsible side of his game in the first innings at Mumbai where he made a restrained 64, but ruined it with an utterly irresponsible effort in the second. Was generally sound behind the stumps till it unravelled on the fourth afternoon at the Wankhede, when a missed stumping and catch off Flintoff may have given India 50 extra runs to chase.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni
Didn't enhance his reputation in a series that fetched him only 106 runs. Revealed the responsible side of his game in the first innings at Mumbai where he made a restrained 64, but ruined it with an utterly irresponsible effort in the second. Was generally sound behind the stumps till it unravelled on the fourth afternoon at the Wankhede, when a missed stumping and catch off Flintoff may have given India 50 extra runs to chase.
5
Harbhajan Singh
Didn't really bowl as badly as the figures suggest, but was nothing like as threatening as he was against the Aussies five years ago. The fear of bowling the doosra too often has made him predictable, and until a vastly improved spell or two in Mumbai, he really wasn't an adequate foil for Kumble.
Harbhajan Singh
Didn't really bowl as badly as the figures suggest, but was nothing like as threatening as he was against the Aussies five years ago. The fear of bowling the doosra too often has made him predictable, and until a vastly improved spell or two in Mumbai, he really wasn't an adequate foil for Kumble.
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4
Virender Sehwag
His poor general fitness and sloth-like reflexes at slip are one of Indian cricket's biggest worries at the moment. The English bowlers zoned in on his discomfiture against the short ball, and he was never a factor except for the unbeaten 76 which eased India's path to victory at Mohali.
Virender Sehwag
His poor general fitness and sloth-like reflexes at slip are one of Indian cricket's biggest worries at the moment. The English bowlers zoned in on his discomfiture against the short ball, and he was never a factor except for the unbeaten 76 which eased India's path to victory at Mohali.
4
Sachin Tendulkar
A series to forget, and one that ended with another injury cloud hovering over his future in the game. But for a free-spirited dash to 28 in the last session of mayhem at Nagpur, there was no reminder of the Tendulkar who had averaged 76.5 against England prior to this series. Did little with the ball, and was safe rather than spectacular in the field.
Sachin Tendulkar
A series to forget, and one that ended with another injury cloud hovering over his future in the game. But for a free-spirited dash to 28 in the last session of mayhem at Nagpur, there was no reminder of the Tendulkar who had averaged 76.5 against England prior to this series. Did little with the ball, and was safe rather than spectacular in the field.
4
VVS Laxman
His series amounted to the one ball he faced in Nagpur, and some erratic slip catching. With India's team management known to favour a five-bowler strategy away from home, he'll have to make the most of the chances that come his way in the West Indies. His catching close-in was missed in Mumbai, with Yuvraj Singh at his greasy-fingered best.
VVS Laxman
His series amounted to the one ball he faced in Nagpur, and some erratic slip catching. With India's team management known to favour a five-bowler strategy away from home, he'll have to make the most of the chances that come his way in the West Indies. His catching close-in was missed in Mumbai, with Yuvraj Singh at his greasy-fingered best.
4
Yuvraj Singh
Displayed hints of class in the first innings at Mumbai, but was otherwise well below par. Forced to field in the close cordon, he dropped more than he caught. A series against a less formidable opposition will probably help to carve out his own middle-order niche.
Yuvraj Singh
Displayed hints of class in the first innings at Mumbai, but was otherwise well below par. Forced to field in the close cordon, he dropped more than he caught. A series against a less formidable opposition will probably help to carve out his own middle-order niche.
4
Piyush Chawla
Got only 14.1 overs to show what he could do in Mohali, and while he didn't disgrace himself, there were signs that he needs a bit more experience and nous before he can replace the irreplaceable Kumble. The potential is clearly there, and the wicket of Flintoff was a good way to start what might be a fairly distinguished career.
Piyush Chawla
Got only 14.1 overs to show what he could do in Mohali, and while he didn't disgrace himself, there were signs that he needs a bit more experience and nous before he can replace the irreplaceable Kumble. The potential is clearly there, and the wicket of Flintoff was a good way to start what might be a fairly distinguished career.
Dileep Premachandran is features editor of Cricinfo