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.