Are Indians the best team in the world?

Hi Guys,

It has been a very very long time, since I wrote about cricket. I was writing about lot of fascinating things and didn’t think of writing about cricket. Cricket seemed to be boring. But, now the Ashes and the India- South Africa Series turned things. They have created lot of interest and I also thought of writing, after seeing India bundled out for 136. As I am writing this, South Africans are leading by 100 runs with 8 wickets in hand.

Indians are currently the No. 1 Test Team in the world and the South Africans are No.2. From the way things have been going on, Indians don’t even look to be closer to the spot. I decided to take a look at India’s previous results. From July 2008, Indians have played 10 series. Of that they have won 5 of 6 in home and drew 1 with South Africa. Outside, they have won at New Zealand, Bangladesh. They once drew with Sri Lanka and the other time they lost to the Island nation. So apart from the New Zealand series they have not been very impressive even in Sri Lanka. They haven’t toured England, Australia and South Africa. This has been very much helpful to claim the top seat.

Let’s look at South Africa. From July 2008, they have played just 8 series, 3 in home soil and 5 away. They have toured India, West Indies, Australia and England. Of that they won Australia, England and West Indies series convincingly and drew with India (that too mainly because, after losing the first test, the organisers made a spin friendly track). In home, they drew with England, won Bangladesh and lost to Australia.

After going through, these stats I think South Africa deserves to be in the top spot. In ICC Rankings, the current rank of the teams is considered. Another factor to be considered is the location. India beating Australia in India is not big, but India beating Australia in Australia is big. But in both cases ICC awards same points. So, the rankings are name shake being at No. 1 doesn’t mean India is the best team in the world.

Again coming back to the series, what happened to our fast bowlers? Even in the fast bouncy pitches they are not taking wickets. Particularly Ishant Sharma who was rocking in Australia 3 years back isn’t even near to that form. Other bowlers are newer to the zone and so again and again, India relies on only one bowler and when he is injured our bowling department fails, irrespective of the pitch.

The top score in Indian innings was Sachin - 36. Currently all the 4 South African players have scored above him. What a pity? So currently it seems that Indians are going to face innings defeat and this means India will come down from 130 to 126 and SA will move from 116 to 120 in the rankings.

Rather than boasting on the home records, India should try to improve their game, before losing the top spot. Also, mind you India has won only 1 test match in South Africa.

To me, this test seems to be over for India unless some miracle happens and let’s look forward for the next one.

Happy Reading!!!