Pathetic Indians

[Django]

How is that the Pakistan batsmen could score at more than 5 runs an over against two of the "best" spinners in the world in home conditions and why is it that the so-called "strong" Indian batting line-up struggles against ordinary Pakistan spinners on the last day?

[Trescothick]

Different conditions... Different atmosphere... Many things could explain it. As you may have seen in cricket over the years; sometimes its harder to score runs than at other times and its unexplainable.. Once you get in your stride its fine..

Every batsmen has struggled a few times in their innings so i wouldnt call them pathetic

[Zainub]

Your reasons are in correct I'm afraid. The difference was not in conditions and/or atmosphere the pitch did not change much from the time we batted in our 2nd innings and the time India did in their 2nd innings ...the difference (and hence forth the reason) was the INTENT.

Pakistan went out to bat looking to get a lot of runs quickly, and went out there firmly with the one and clear aim in their mind, that regardless of what happens they will look (albite sensibly) for at least four to five runs an over. India did something different. As long as Virendar Sehwag was out there they aimed for a win, (and kept scoring at 4 an over even) but as soon as he was out ...all positive intent was picked up, and kept away in a safe, safely locked. Consequentially they allowed the Pakistani bowlers to build pressure.

This has been discussed very well by Dileep Premachandran (assitant editor of cricinfo) in his India Verdict today.

Originally Posted by Premachandran

The capitulation today, especially after Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir had survived the opening hour, exemplified that, with the palpable lack of desire in stark contrast to the Pakistanis, who snapped away like hungry wolves.

The run-rate was close to four an over when Sehwag departed, but subsequently there wasn't even a trace of ambition. The stubborn refusal to put away loose deliveries, or do anything to upset the bowlers' rhythm, ensured that there was never any pressure on Inzamam-ul-Haq or the fielders who had looked rattled while Sehwag was still around. A match which could have had any of three outcomes was suddenly reduced to a grim battle for survival.

A team with four world-class batsmen summarily decided that the exit of the most explosive of that quartet warranted the digging of trenches. Only, for some of those batsmen, it was more burial mound than trench. Anil Kumble showed the way to his more illustrious colleagues later in the day, defending with straight bat and stoutness of heart while ruthlessly pummelling anything that asked to be hit. If everyone in the Indian team had his determination and courage, they wouldn't lose a game.

ps: without no question what so ever, at least one of the Indian batsmen was by defination pathetic. What else can we describe Saurav Ganguly as?

[vvvrulz]

India last night reverted back to their old 1990's mentality. No backbone whatsoever. With a team boasting a batting line-up which most other nations can only dream about, why were they completely outclassed to a bowling attack with really nothing much to speak of.

Pakistan played with their hearts, thats why.

[Paoli]

All Balaji had to do was keep Kaneria out, and instead he offered no shot....They could've done it, six overs isn't that long to hold on...Especially with Anil Kumble who is a real street fighter with the bat.

[AussieCricketLover]

Kaneria stitched up the Aussies when India were over here, I wouldnt be calling him second rate by a long way, some things people have to remember is, Form plays a huge part in ones ability to be able to put pressure on in any sport let alone cricket.

[vvvrulz]

I wouldn't blame Balaji, he isn't a batsman and has chipped in with runs in the series.

The likes of Ganguly, Karthik, Laxman... surely could have put in more hard work to see out the day.

[Shaka]

Batting on the last day to save a test match has always been difficult, if you check up the history of such games you'll find that's the case. And Pakistan's spinners were anything but ordinairy yesterday. Kaneria and Afridi bowled with relentless accuracy and skill, and India found it difficult to handle much like Pakistan did against Harbajhan and Kumble in the previous test.

[Paoli]

Especially in the sub continent, where most pitches are never batsman friendly, let alone on the last day.

Afridi bowled the best I've ever seen him and was unrelenting....India should've drawn though, courtesy of Lakshmipathy Balaji...But Kaneria was unrelenting in the end, too good for a no.11

[vvvrulz]

Realise that he is a number 11, what about Ganguly's pitiful swipe at Shahid Afridi.