Australia v India -Preview and Predictions
It's the series everyone has been waiting for, India v Australia, me in particular as I'm desperate to see the Aussies challenged for a change. A world no.3 vs no.1 ('Tis a pity that the English, who need the weather gods to save them are at no 2) looks mouthwatering and its definitely India's best chance of pulling off something special. But after looking through the crystal ball I can see only one team winning this. Here's why...
Why Australia will win
2)Aussie agressiveness - The Aussies are ruthless, possess tenacity in spades and are at your face all the time. The opposing team's partnership maybe 100+ but there still appers to be some pressure on them. This killer instinct is sorely lacking in India.
3)Ricky Ponting - The batting of the 2 teams is fairly matched but there is one gem which sparkles above all the rest. Ponting has been prolific this season and back to back tons vs the Kiwis looks ominous for India. The only weakness with Ponting is that early on in his innings he still falls over and is prone to LBW's. India's best chance is with the left-arm inswing of RP Singh.
But with Punter in this kind of form and his success against India last time, you'd do well to put your money behind him. For the Indians the message is clear- Get him early, or get tonked.
4)Theyre Australia! - Isn't that reason enough? :)
Why India will struggle
1)Poor fielding, running between the wickets - When India have a bad day at the field, they rank as one of the most pathetic fielding sides in the world. The series in England being a case in point. If I remember right they could hardly catch a single ball cleanly at Lord's. Its apparent that the appointment of a fielding coach hasn't helped much with only youngsters like Dinesh Kaarthick and Yuvraj ready to put their body on the line. The softer grounds in Australia should get them to dive and be athletic in the field, if it doesn't, India are roasted.
You drop a Hussey or Ponting once, dont worry, youll have the whole innings to regret! So I agree on this with Ian Chappel when he said that "Australia are gonna run them ragged!"
I still maintain that India have a long way to go in improving their running between the wickets. Apart from a few 20 20 games theres still a lot left desired. The seniors esp. have to pull up their socks and run fast as Australia's long boundaries and excellent fielders will sorely expose any weakness, which I think they will.
2)The famous Indian droop - You may argue that any side when being smashed all over the place droop, but from what I've observed this is most evident in the case of India. All it takes for them to go into their shell is a partnership of just 35-50 runs. After that the intensity is gone, bowlers just put the ball on the pitch without thinking, in short they're waiting for things to happen. But they may as well wait all day if this happens this summer.
If the symptoms of this disease persist when Australia are 120 for no loss on day 1 at the MCG, rest assured, India have a long tour ahead.
3)Lack of acclimatization - Despite what Tendulkar says India are way short of match practise in Australia. Playing on dead pitches in India just before coming here certainly wasnt a bright spark. They're lucky that the MCG will be a bit slow and give them time because if they aren't confident heading to Perth, they'll be facing a lot of chin music.
4)Poor selection - I've trashed India's chances of winning but they can still give a fight or maybe even spring a surprise or 2 ONLY if they play both Yuvraj and Sehwag. What India need to topple Australia is some unpredictability and a few moments of genius. Catching Australia off guard appears to be India's best chance. And who more capable than Sehwag or Yuvraj to do that?
And Anil Kumble's bounce will also be key. He troubled Australia last time and has to do it again. His captaincy will definitely be tested when the Aussies are going hammer and tongs at India esp. early on against the new ball.
Why are Australia the worlds best cricket team? They do the simple things the best. Undoubtedly they have the best balance in batting bowling and fielding, also they do their homework and play the mind games the best. It appears that this will be too much for the Indians.
The weather might play a role in one of the tests and I suppose India can draw another. Adelaide seems their best bet but unfortunately for them, it would be too late. Add to India's poor bowling lineup their moody fielding and running between the wickets, the odds are stacked against them and hence I don't think they can win a test match.
So all things said and done, its verdict time. I've looked through the crystal ball and tried to give India the best chance, but the result is overwhelming.
My prediction 2-0 Australia...Yours?
| Posted by Ajesh Nag on Sun 23 Dec |  15 comments |
1-0 India.
Posted by Varghese on 2007-12-23 01:32:39
Posted by Ajesh Nag on 2007-12-23 01:44:20
Posted by TA on 2007-12-23 02:42:30
Australia's bowling is also better than last time we played them at home (in a drawn series). The quality of our bowling against Sri Lanka in the 2 Test series shouldn't be underestimated - we smashed them and then Sri Lanka went on to smash England. So they're not pushovers (although again, lacking in preparation before the Test series).
The main concern - the ease with which Sangakarra put on 190. None of the bowlers could get him out - only Rudi Koertzen had a chance. I worry that some of the Indian behemoths might repeat the performance but then Sangakarra is the world #1 batsman at the moment.
Posted by JC on 2007-12-23 08:41:54
http://clean-bowled.blogspot.com/2007/12/why-india-will-win.html
Posted by Amit on 2007-12-23 09:59:19
Posted by David on 2007-12-23 10:07:21
Could go either way though. Don't write off absence of Warne/McGrath and the resolve of the visitors.
Posted by Dan Tas on 2007-12-23 12:09:57
"Statistics are like miniskirts, they reveal more than what they hide."
and this one is my all time favorite by sidhu
"In life, as in chess, it is foresight which will win."
The indians must get to know what they are up against.if they do know they'll understand that the only thing that can help india from here on is very very good cricket not for 1 session or 2 sessions,But consistect cricket for in three sessions a day for 5 days.
Like ajesh pointed out the baggie greens seem to have there work cut out in the bowling department.The indians must plan on sticking around in the crease for sometime.
The indians batsman might do some real basic mistakes like hanging there bat out,getting committed to the front foot more maybe even getting their front foot across to much(watch out for those unnecessary run outs) .
This is where i think Dravid was so very important last time round(vvs also).He proved to be a real handful for the aussies.A batsman like him who can keep his wicket and still make the scorers work a fair bit is indeed important to a batting line up.I bet most of India on Tuesday would be doing yagnas and pooja's for dravid to be in good nick.(they better pray)
Wasim Jaffer looks in amazing form.Harsha Boghale used to say
"if ur openers play good cricket the middle order bats twice as good"
Jaffer is a batsman who has good technique.Tries to plays in the V,shows the full face of the bat more often than not.
If he plays out the new ball and hold it one end then the middle order have good chance posting a good score.The big four+jaffer must the king pins in trying to dismantle the ominous aussie bowling.(thats everybody)
In the bowling and fielding the indians must buck up.esp in fielding.i dont care if the fielders dont take any extraordinary catches(well they must)but i certainly hope they dont drop any.
I have hope that one of the big four might finish off in a blaze of glory.
Like i said before,consistency is the order of the day.
If india play good consistent cricket i think this will be a reverting battle.
I hate making predictions but i think it'll be 1-0 to the aussies.(they win that one in perth)
Posted by vishnu on 2007-12-23 14:31:04
On the Aus-India series.... I read this by Ian Chappell today on Cricinfo:
"The big difference between the Indian line-up and others that have toured Australia lately is that the Indians know how to make big scores. They have the skill and the experience to battle through the tough periods they will undoubtedly face against a confident Australian side. One of the reasons for Australia's dominance at home is the ability of their batsmen to survive tough periods and go on to make big scores, while their bowlers make the opposition struggle for runs and, eventually, wilt...... Australia definitely have the batting to continue in that vein but the question is, do they have the bowling to dominate top-class players now that Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath are missing?"
Now, that was one valid question posed by IanC. Many a times, Indian teams promise a lot but wither away when it matters. Despite the home heroics of 2001 and drawn 1-1 series in Ozzieland in 2003... Indians remain vulnerable, in my opinion.
The only shimmering hope is the new attitude of the Indians...No, I dont mean the meaningless aggression of a say, Sreesanth (luckily, he is not in the tour party!). I meant the hunger for performing well.... and particularly, amongst the seniors. I mean, for Ganguly to comeback and score the highest number of test runs for an Indian in 2007 is a phenomenal feat. GregC must be eating dust.. or probably smiling that his ploy has worked afterall... i.e. to kindle Sourav Gang to playing his best cricket.
Indian batting, I guess is in safe hands. We now have guys who can play the bounce. Good sense prevailed at the end in the Sehwag selection. His 195 at Melbourne last time around still haunts the Ozzies.
The Indian bowling remains the weaklink. If Zaheer Khan does what Agarkar briefly did in 2003, and Irfan keeps it plain and accurate, and Kumble does a Warne on Aus wickets,.... IF, IF......these IFs remain to be seen...
Of all the Aus players, Gilchrist always comes up with the from-the-heart comments.. He has said that the Indians have played Aus the best amongst all other nations. Now, that is a tribute! Being a good second best after Aus itself is a massive cricketing achievement!!
Cheers
Mahesh
Posted by Mahesh on 2007-12-24 04:51:14
I will go for a 1-1 draw again, though I wish a 2-1 for India. It will never be a 1-0 or 2-0 in favour of India, however well they play.
If the big batting guns of India fire, India cannot lose a match, and I reckon that they will fire atleast twice out of the 4 tests. Now the question is will the Indian bowlers back up the batsmen and win atleast a match. I reckon, they might!
Amongst the Ozzie bowlers, the guy to trouble the Indian batsmen will remain Brett Lee and second in line, Mitchell Johnson. Indians have never read Mitchell J properly as yet. They struggled against him everywhere, more recently in India.
Johnson has always got the senior batsmen cheaply. If India survive Lee and Johnson in the first 50 overs, Indians will post 500, and will be hard to beat from there.
And, the task is still unfinished. Like JC said, the main task would be to get Ponting and Hussey out. These 2 remain the men to dismiss.. or the men who should never ever be given a chance/life!
Cheers
Mahesh
Posted by Mahesh on 2007-12-24 05:01:13
" Ifs and buts are like pots and pans, they all go tinkers"
Posted by vishnu on 2007-12-24 15:01:26
Posted by Vijay on 2007-12-25 06:21:18
Posted by JC on 2007-12-26 08:47:32
They are yet to dominate 20-20.
Cheers
Posted by Mahesh on 2007-12-27 01:35:33
Posted by Vijay on 2008-01-05 13:20:09
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