One more edition
of Gavaskar-Border trophy is over. The Indians have won second time in a row a
test series in Australia. Two years back in 2019, India had won a series in
Australia for the first time, something that eluded since their first tour Down
Under at the end of 1947. Australia so as to speak was a sort of final frontier
for the Indian team. Now that they have won a series in Australia twice, it
need not be a mental block. The current final frontier would be South Africa
where India are yet to win a series though they have won tests over there.
India has won a test series in West Indies, England, Pakistan, New Zealand, Sri
Lanka and of course the minor countries like Zimbabwe and Bangladesh. India is
yet to play a test in Afghanistan and Ireland, the two babies of Test cricket.
As India came back to win the series, the natural point of discussion revolves
around the relative greatness of each of those series victories. It might be
moot to have a subjective perception often based on the generational divide.
The older ones would prefer the series of the yore, the younger ones prefer the
current. Yet, as one does a post-mortem of greatness, it would be instructive
to remember each seris is unique in its own way. While there would be
quantitative attempts, the subjective rule will often override the other
considerations.
When one
compares the previous series, India had dominated the series right from the
word go. Though India did lose the second test, the dominance was never in
doubt. Yet, in the current series, India struggled in the first test, reaching
their nadir in terms of their lowest test score. Given the aggression which the
Australians are known for, it was believed that India would find it extremely
difficult to save the series. Skipper Kohli flew back for paternity leave and
through the series India lost half their resources to injuries not to speak of
hard quarantine rules that prevailed due to the COVID-19 crisis. India going
into the last test had perhaps one of the most inexperienced bowling attacks in
recent times while the batting strength too was depleted. Notwithstanding
injures, India could have very well won the Sydney test which they drew. But
Gabba, the favourite hunting ground of the home side appeared to be a different
ball game together. What made the series memorable was a comeback from 36 all
out at Adelaide to nearly half of the players out of action due to injury, the
quarantine rules amidst the COVID-19 hanging over the heads to the least
experienced bowling attack to a side that is ferocious when it comes to
competition. Yet there would be number of people who would be tempted to
compare with the comeback in 2001 wherein India came from nowhere to win the
test in Eden Gardens followed by one in Chidambaram Stadium to win the series.
As with any
other series, each have their own characteristics. India had followed on, lost
four wickets, there was an out-of-form Rahul Dravid playing a supporting cast
to VVS Laxman, then Harbhajan Singh leading a very inexperienced attack to bowl
India to victory. The bowling strength could be comparable in terms of match
experience. Yet the moment then was very different than what exists in the
current series. While each offered their insights into the great Indian
fightback, they too had their differences which have to be savoured. For
instance, how different would be India’s victory over West Indies way back in
1976 while successfully chasing 406 in the final innings. The West Indian
attack was led by Michael Holding though the Indian batting was in its full
strength. Yet in those days, full strength often meant Sunil Gavaskar and GR
Vishwanath with others playing a minor role. India was not one of those sides
which used to win constantly and therefore a victory at Port-of-Spain was
something very different to be savoured. In fact going further, it would be
interesting to see how Indian performance fared in 2003-04 when India won the
Adelaide test to go one up in the series and make Australia do all the chasing
in the remaining two tests. Again, it was a different context, different ball
game altogether. If one were to look India’s performances in England would 2007
count as something extradordinary or would it be 2002 series when it saw a rare
occasion of the Big Three Tendulkar,Dravid and Ganguly getting hundreds in the
same test. While on achievements, the Indian series win in England in 1986
might also bring its own sweet memories so does the biggest triumph of all the
1971 series win in England following the one in the West Indies. It must be remembered
India had just won 13 tests in the whole of the twentieth century outside
India. The victories overseas are more of recent phenomenon something that
began with Saurav Ganguly leading India to win in Bangladesh in 2000 on the
latter’s maiden appearance as Test playing country.
Therefore, when
one looks at the different Indian victories overseas, each have had a context
to them. India had perhaps psychological barrier in winning abroad. Whenever
they came, they were rare and to be savoured. For most part of the early Indian
cricketing journey, even a draw or at times a first innings lead itself was to
be celebrated. The journey from an also- ran in overseas tests to one winning
frequently even after getting bundled out for the lowest ever test score is
something that has been pretty long and perhaps exciting. There is no doubt a
temptation to equate victories at different points of time and compare their
significance. If the 1971 series wins heralded India’s arrival on the global
cricketing scene, the 1983 World Cup win made India a power of its own,
something demonstrated in World Cup moving from England to India. India rightly
would savour this win. It is perhaps justified that Ajiynkya Rahane might get
the Test captaincy on a permanent basis than stand-in for Virat Kohli. It would
be definitely deserving. There might be some of the players who in all
probability will shine quite high while few others fall by the wayside. Like
any other victories this must be celebrated for its own uniqueness rather than
engaging in comparison with the other victories achieved in the past.
Comments
Post a Comment