Dhoni's men have looked ragged and woefully short of expectations in England
Mohinder Amarnath would never tire of a story from his exploits in the Caribbean.
“After playing the ball, a batsman would normally survey the field before taking stance for the next. In the West Indies one would avoid it.” Why? “Andy Roberts at third man, Michael Holding at long leg, Joel Garner at gully and Malcolm Marshall running in from a distance; there was no respite really and the customary glance at the field before facing a ball hardly helped.”
This was during times when the West Indies dominated world cricket on a bigger canvas than Don Bradman's Invincibles. Teams were not ranked then; they were acknowledged for their force and the West Indies was brutally ruthless. It crushed all opposition, in all conditions, on all surfaces. Clive Lloyd and his men excelled at annihilating the opponents with amazing regularity.
Steve Waugh's team also grew in confidence and self-belief, winning at home and away, to be rated one of the finest combinations ever in the game. “The current Indian team does not come anywhere close to that distinction,” emphasises former opener, selector and coach Aunshuman Gaekwad.
The ICC's current method of ranking the teams was introduced in May 2003. Australia, according to statistician Rajneesh Gupta, dominated the rankings until August 2009. South Africa remained number one for a little over three months (between August 2009 and December 2009) and India became No.1 on December 6, 2009 after beating Sri Lanka 2-0 in a three-match home series.
Australia's domination of Test cricket began in 1994-95, unofficially, when it dethroned the West Indies from the apex position with a 2-1 away win. West Indies was the undisputed king from 1975-76 to 1994-95, winning 72 and losing 21 of the 149 Tests it played. Australia, from 1995 to 2009, won 107 and lost 32 of the 166 Tests.
India, since it became No 1, has played 23 Tests, winning 11 and losing six. It, however, is yet to play a Test series in Australia and New Zealand after being ranked No. 1. It has also not played Pakistan in the last two years.
Having faced the West Indian might at its peak, the gritty Gaekwad made an interesting observation on what the players thought of the West Indies' authority on the cricket field.
“They were a class apart and truly the best team I have ever known. One has read and heard of Don Bradman's team but the West Indies was something we experienced. There was not on minus point about the team. It was good in all departments. I am not sure if we can say the same about the current Indian team which is ranked No 1 in the world.”
A champion, individual or team, has to be audacious and the acumen to dominate should be innate. Silence and concentration, as promoted by Kapil Dev, can make the difference. “Champions don't shout or make tall claims. Their deeds should speak,” maintains Kapil, who never had the fear of fight. “I was always ready.”
The Indians, in the opinion of most, have looked ragged and woefully short of expectations. “How can a team aspire to remain No 1 if it has to depend on one batsman (Rahul Dravid) and one bowler (Zaheer Khan). India has been forced to play (Virender) Sehwag because he provides the cushion for our greats in the middle order. A No. 1 team would not depend on individuals,” said Maninder Singh, who was part of the team that tamed England in England in 1986.
In his autobiography, legendary coach Alex Ferguson writes, “A true test of any championship team is to go to a fortress and win.” The West Indies was good at it. Steve Waugh-led Australia was good at it too. India is yet to win a series in Australia and South Africa.
As Gaekwad pointed out, “I don't believe in this ranking system. It all changes according to opposition and hosts. If you play at home and continue to beat Zimbabwe and Bangladesh, you would obviously stay at the top. A champion team has to do well away from home. Like the West Indies and Australia of old days.”
Mindset of a champion
Michael Phelps, one of the greatest swimmers ever, gives an insight into the mindset of a champion in his autobiography.
“When I'm focused, there is not one single thing, person, anything that can stand in the way of my doing something. There is not. If I want something bad enough, I feel I'm gonna get there.” Well, this attitude was reflected when the Indian team pursued its World Cup dreams. Sadly, it has looked a different outfit in testing conditions in England.
“Most under-prepared” was how some former English stars had described India's approach during the ongoing series.
Geoff Boycott called the team “like Bangladesh” and Sunil Gavaskar branded it “like schoolboys.”
When Tony Greig remarked “I intend to make them grovel” in 1976, the summer turned into a nightmare for him as West Indies buried England with exceptional aggression. Clive Lloyd's team, in a remarkable show, made the Englishmen grovel. India, which also went with high hopes to England, has suffered in all departments.
“The team, forget the injuries to some players, has looked pathetic. Bowling has been mediocre. We have a leg-spinner who bowls with a third-man,” noted Maninder, who also questioned the role of the selectors and all those associated with spotting and grooming young talent.
“What results do you expect if a seam bowler conducts a camp for spinners?” he asked.
West Indies and Australia dominated in different eras because the team had substitute to fall back on.
India is still looking for them from its stable of IPL ‘stars'.
