There’s one thing called luck, and there’s another called labour. It’s only a fusion of the two that results in results — desirable ones. They’re mutually dependent, if you know what I mean. Take one and the other falls flat on its face, limp and lifeless. The Indians had the worst of both. And that resulted in results, only the undesired one.
The first innings wouldn’t be something that the Indians would want to revisit. But revisit they did, sooner than later, and collapsed in the most dramatic way possible, slumping and bowing down to an innings defeat. Some unimaginitive cricket and some fiery performances by the English team put the Indian car in the reverse gear and today, in the five match series, the Indians are down 1-2. With just a match to go, the pressure is soaring and the Indians are still unconscious.
They’ve been hunted and humiliated. And that too, in the most classic fashion. No, I’m not trying to hurl brickbats at the Indian team. But look at this: the Anderson verdict goes against them. He escapes scot free and comes back to wipe off the Indian lower order in the very first innings. The ICC refuses to lend a helping hand, even though it’s being steered by an Indian. The English team makes a sweeping statement by crushing India. The media goes bonkers and humiliates the Indians and their ‘crybaby’ attitude. The Indian team nosedives to a stunning collapse against the hosts. Clearly, the English team is rolling on the floor, laughing holding its tummies, pointing at the Indians.
The first innings was a pathetic show by the Indians. But that was still pardonable considering how Stuart Broad and Anderson were firing in. But then, look at the second innings. Destructor of the first innings Stuart Broad was on a hospital bed suffering from probably a broken nose. Destructor number 2 Anderson wasn’t in great shape either, healthwise. What then prompted the great Indian collapse? The top order has failed to click as a unit. It’s a grave fact that has haunted India time and again. Maybe time to change the permutations and combinations? In fact, the lower order has been performing much better and way more consistently than the openers. That’s a concern which the Indians will have to fix soon. The next one is a must-win tie. Reckless shots and inexplicable lethargy was what characterised the Indian performance.
In the next one atleast, hope the Indian top order finds its feet. Because without that, there’s going to be no sting. And even with their best performance, the only thing they can manage is a draw.
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