I have a very faint memory of India’s 54 against SL in the last century. Sanath scoring a brilliant 189* and India folded like a pack of cards against the Lankan greats, Chaminda Vaas and Murli. Well it was a limited overs game, yet the pain that inflicted on my little understanding of the game and my love for the game — was huge. And all of this when your connection to cricket was radios and the Hindi morning papers alone.
Come 2001, India played the Aussies for a 3-Test and 5-limited overs game here in India. Like many Indian born in the early 90s — I was proud of my team. VVS, Dravid and Bhajji played the best cricket of their lives. I remember-VVS was not out at 275* the last day and missed on a wonderful triple — but the 281 was equally brilliant.
Come 2003–04, India’s tour of Australia for 4-tests— I faintly recall a commentator saying this is the best batting side to ever travel to the Aussies shores. Our guys were brilliant, the game we won was all Agarkar and Dravid.
I was proud.
Come 2007, the WC in the West Indies, now I was at my boarding school — didn’t have the luxury to watch any cricket, so all the connection to cricket was because of Times of India. We fucked up. More than shame — it was I don’t even fucking care about these people. Losing to BD, fucking BD of 2007.
India toured England in 2007, I was probably in my 9th standard in the boarding school, had a transistor with me now — for the first time in my life I could have faith in Zaheer Khan or so to say Indian bowling. Heard commentary to the ODI games and the Test games, post dinner in my Dorm.
2011–12 was the worst year for India — twin (0–4) drubbing against England and Australia — away games. It stung really bad. Really really bad. The way Dravid played in England — was the only thing that made me happy and to some extent Amit Mishra--not a batter but played a gritty knock(s).
Enough for prelude — sometimes I am/was ashamed of my team. Bunch of fucking chickens. Unable to fight. Unable to hold their heads high. Fucking subcontinent bullies. This 36 takes things a little further — to the extent where I feel like saying, SORRY DOESN’T MAKE A DEAD MAN ALIVE.
3–4 times in as many years, these buggers have made you so ashamed and helpless, CT 2017 SF, the whole of England series 2018, WC 19 SF vs NZ and the second innings in Adelaide.
I don’t have much understanding of cricket — but I can read faces and body language. The ball does too much — they go for it and miss. When the ball does very little - they nick every fucking thing to the cordon and gully — as it did in Adelaide on a Friday.
I was watching Rameez Raja deconstructing — the debacle. Great suggestion from him - get a wet tennis ball, and play 300 deliveries from 10 yards — everyday, every fucking day. Would they put that effort in?
You guys are an afraid bunch. Taking eyes off the ball. Afraid of getting hit. Don’t know what to play and what to let go off. There is too much space between your bat and pad, when playing for an incoming delivery - all of you. And when something comes a little fuller, and you are forced to play, you are bloody playing it for a big outswinger, when it is a slight one.
Credits to Josh, Cummins and Starc for a wonderful 90 minutes of fast bowling.
But they were bowling good, but not that brilliant. I mean it was not something so special. It was just a bunch of fast bowlers bowling smart.
You can’t look uncomfortable on the screen and say — it is a one off thing, we are going to drawing board. Don’t say sorry please. We don’t want to hear that. Aren’t you guys the fucking best of 1.4b people? Aren’t you paid really well? Why don’t you put in the bloody efforts?
Here is a free advice-go watch Sachin(119) Perth(1992), Dravid(244) Adelaide(2004), Lara(277) SCG(1992), Zaheer Abbas(240) Oval(1974), Zaheer Abbas(274) Edgbaston(1971–72), Sunil Gavaskar in West Indies(1971), and whole of Pakistan’s trip of West Indies 1988 — don’t forget to watch Miandad against the big 4, he scored two centuries.
I will see whether you guys hit back. :)
A hopeless cricket fan