Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Are we really the best cricket team in the world?

It is really stupid of anyone who thinks that we are the no. 1 team in the world right now. To come anywhere close to being called no. 1, the team has to perform well in all conditions, against all opponents and for a consistent period of time. Just beating Australia, that too at home, is not enough to be coined numero uno. Just about three months back, we were mesmerized by Sri Lanka's spin bowling and lost miserably, just about six months back we lost badly to SA .... at home!!! .... were bowled out for less than hundred in the first innings. And still we consider ourselves the world beaters.
The truth infact is that we are no where close to what the Australian team was like in the last decade. Australia, ever since they tied that world cup semi final in 99, never looked back. Its been almost 10 years since then and that team won 3 world cups, beat every county home and away and won more than ninety percent of the games they played. They scored over 4 an over in tests and took the game to unseen levels. Even when they lost, say the 2001 series against India, the famous 400+ ODI against SA etc, the quality of cricket that was on display was breathtaking.
Point is that while Dhoni's boys are doing well currently, but their objectives should not just include winning the next series against England and then basking in the glory. But they should try to raise their game to a level that would transcend them to heights achieved by the Australian team in the last decade. Only then would they deserve to be called the no. 1 side in the world. Getting the world champions tag is not so easy afterall.

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