CRICKET FAN: INDIA IN TEST CRICKET - GANGULY

Wednesday, 6 August 2008

INDIA IN TEST CRICKET - GANGULY – DRAVID- WRIGHT PERIOD

Duration: 2000 Bangladesh series to 2006 West Indies series

Main Actors: Rahul Dravid

Supporting Actors: VVS Laxman, Sehwag

Guest Role: Harbhajan Singh

Captains: Ganguly, Dravid & Sehwag

Highs: Series wins in Pakistan (2004) & West Indies (2006). Series victory against Mighty Aussies at home (2001). Series draw against England (2002) & Australia (2003-04).

Lows: Series loss in New Zealand (2002-03) & Pakistan (2006). Series loss against Aussies at home (2004). Squandering the lead in the series to a draw against Pakistan at home (2005).

India had the best batting line-up ever in their cricketing history in this period. Infact one can say that it was one of the all time top batting sides. Ganguly had great eye for the talent. His greatest move had been that of playing Sehwag as an opener. In Rahul Dravid he had most loyal deputy and greatest match-winner. Dravid, who played for English county Kent, suggested John Wright’s name for the post of Indian coach, where Wright was head coach. The Ganguly- Dravid-Wright triangle has really changed the face of Indian cricket. Indian team started to win abroad regularly.

India’s batting might covered up for the bowling deficiencies. Dravid played many match-winning knocks. He turned out to be the best Indian Test batsman ever. Sehwag was instrumental in keeping healthy run rate and has turned out to be the best opening batsman India has ever produced after Gavaskar. Laxman played some crucial innings, especially against Aussies. Sachin though had a healthy batting average during this period, was not a great force.

India started to produce more pace bowlers. Zaheer Khan, Agarkar, Nehra, Pathan and Balaji were the pace bowlers unearthed during this era. But none of them managed to be regulars and all were inconsistent. Harbhajan had one great series against Australia in 2001 where he literally terminated their batting lineup which earned him the nickname Turbanator. The rest of his career has been very disappointing. Anil Kumble, who was sidelined for the first half of this period, remerged in the second half of this period.

Wright’s tenure did not end in great note. Ganguly’s form had really affected his captaincy. Greg Chappell was appointed as coach at the behest of Ganguly. Soon Ganguly was thrown out of the team because of his poor performances and bad work ethics. Dravid-Chappell combine tried to move India into next level. But the failures in one-day arena had cut short Chappell’s tenure.

Captains

Played

Won

Lost

Draw

Win/Loss

1.61

1.25