Is it begining of the END?

'Thats in the air and has gone many a miles',Shastri's words were and still are echoing in the ears of cricket lovers in the nation where the game is worshipped. Indian team did live upto the expectations and won the ICC World Cup 2011. The nation was gripped by the celebrations wave and thousands gathered in different parts of the country to be a part of the moment and proudly say 'Yes I was alive when India won the World Cup'. Of all the reactions, the special one was by Indian middle-order batsman Virat Kohli, who on being asked about carrying Sachin Tendulkar on his shoulders replied,' He has carried the burden of the team for two decades, so its a tribute to the man who in his career has strived hard to change the face of Indian cricket.

Ting-Tong, wake up call. World Cup is over, so is IPL edition IV. The cricket calender following the World Cup exposed a different side of Indian cricket. West Indian tour was not a happy outing for World Champions, they did manage to win the ODI and Test series but the victory did not compliment the standards set by India. Players started to look rusty and not in groove of things. Young lads didn't make the most of the opportunity and infact managed an ordinary outing. FIngers were raised on newly appointed coach, Duncun Fletcher. Veterans of the game blamed the IPL for the debacle, but it was just the begining of the END.

Much anticipated India's tour of India kicked off with veterans like Ian Botham, Ravi Shastri and Sunil Gavaskar engaged in war of words. Botham was in no hesitation when he uttered,'How can India hope to beat us'. Former England captain Nasser Hussain launched an all out attack against the BCCI for not using the DRS(Decision review system). It seemed that World Cup was history and the events which followed were no less than an unsolved mystery. Centrestage was at Lord's- Mecca of cricket, which was the venue for the 2000th Test match(overall) and 100th Test match between India and England. India did commence proceedings on a high with Zaheer Khan making the ball talk like never before. Indian pace spearhead bowled 13.2 overs before he pulled a muscle and never returned. India was crippled and managed with three cowlers, it was in shere desparation that Dhoni shed his gloves and rolled his arms.

No India would like to remeber events that followed, Indians were completely outplayed in all the departments and only positive coming out of the series was of Rahul Dravid's magnificent run accompanied by Amit Mishra's heroics with the bat. Sachin was on the waiting side of the 100th International Century, Sreesanth failed to make a mark and Gambhirs situation was a riddle to solve. Lord's, Edgbaston, Birmingham and The Oval, four venues and similar results. Series result 4-0, complete white wash, Indian team dethroned from the No.1 Test crown and infact BEGINING OF THE END of Indian supremacy over world cricket.

So they think they can BAT?

Bright sunshine, an even Lord’s wicket and the best in the business? .The team that went into the epic clash with oodles of confidence, had a reality check. Coming into this series, India had descent preparations in the Caribbean. The only warm-up match against Somerset saw the visitors on the back-foot as they were outplayed. Strauss striking form was just signs of things to come, apart from Raina, no one made any major contributions. It was like the best in the business were left only to statistics and records as a club side gave them a run for their money.

Likes of Yuvraj, Dhoni, Tendulkar, Dravid and Laxman failed to impress in their early stint on English soil. The Test remained no exception either, where the best batting line up in the world failed to cross the 300 mark in either of the innings. Injuries did hurt them bad but they are not an excuse to under perform. First innings saw India batting on a sunny day with the ball moving off the pitch and in the air. England bowlers were up for the challenge and were pitching the ball in right areas. Gambhir perished early by an incoming Broad delivery which the Delhi opener completely missed and was comprehensively bowled. Mukund showed promise and didn’t hesitate in playing his shots before he inside edged one wide broad delivery on the stumps.

Lord’s was graced by two of the finest in the business, Tendulkar and Dravid occupied the crease. The duo looked tentative at the start with Tremlett hovering around the corridor of uncertainty. Post lunch scenario was something which no English fan would have appreciated. A different Tendulkar emerged who smacked the English attack. Lord’s witnessed some of the finest in the books before the legend nicked one to second-slip. Mecca of cricket saw the legendary bat walk back to the pavilion with a mere 34 his name. Walked Laxman and couldn’t control his wrist as he scooped one to fine leg, Dhoni battled but only for 28. Dravid continued the battle and went on to score his half-century. Harbhajan’s stay was brief; Kumar showed fight and played some shots. None except Dravid was able to play or survive in these conditions.

We claim to be the best batting line up in the World, are we? The answer is yes they are, but there scope seems limited to flat or spinning tracks. "Most of the things that could have gone wrong in the game went wrong. It was tough for both the bowlers and the batsmen," Indian captain uttered these words after the match, is he done making excuses or like a tail-ender he still has fight left for the same?.

"Yes, we could have done with one more partnership from the top-order batsmen. But it was tough because most of our batsmen were batting in slots different to their original number. Rahul opened, Sachin batted at a different number, Gautam batted at a different number. That also added pressure." Comments like these leave the nation where the game is worshipped In a dismal state. If players of world class caliber can’t adjust to changing circumstances then I believe no one can. Captain cool launched another of his defenses by lashing out at the uneven bounce

"What we saw different from the 2007 series this time was the variable bounce. It became tough. In 2007, there was much more bounce but it was even too. It was interesting to see where I was standing as a keeper then. Zaheer bowls his overs from where I stand, and I used to do so by being 2-3 yards behind in 2007. Here I was standing 2-3 yards in front," Dhoni said.

Are we done or is there more to follow? Is it right blaming the uneven bounce? Were the Indian line up so incompetent that they couldn’t survive a day’s play. What made Tendulkar go into the shell, Laxman into poor shot selection, Dravid in loss of concentration? Fletcher and company have a lot to work, if they fail to do the same Trent Bridge would show no mercy either.
Dhoni commenting India’s slow start to the series as a ritual amuses none of the follower. If you are the best in the business Bat like one. Approximately 100 centuries in the Team is a evident fact about what the line up is capable to do. On their day, they can win a Test match solely by a strong outing with the bat. It’s time for Indian brigade to march their way to victory in the second Test match at Trent Bridge. Lord’s is history; they should think ahead and come back strong. If they are No.1 In the business, there’s no better opportunity to prove the same.