Time for introspection
An analysis of individual performances in the Tests against England
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Dileep Premachandran is features editor of Cricinfo
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