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.