TEAM INDIA'S AWAY WORRIES

 

The last time the Indian team won a test match outside the country was against the WINDIES in July 2011. After the massive whitewash against England in the next tour where they lost 4-0 and lost their No.1 ranking to the hosts, it has been a downfall when it came to the following tours after. If in the summer they lost to England by 4-0, in the winter it was Australia's turn to humiliate the Indians as they lost to them 4-0 again. This raised some questions about sacking Dhoni as the Indian Captain. He was backed by the selectors and was made to extend his stint as Indian Captain. The next assignment that was awaiting him was the 2 test series against a low ranked New Zealand.Following the retirement of Rahul Dravid in March that year, prior to that series VVS Laxman also announced his retirement from International Cricket. Thus the Indian middle order was relatively new with Sachin Tendulkar alone being the exception. But the replacements Pujara and Kohli showed some talent and India defeated New Zealand 2-0 and following that it was against England where they won the first test at Ahmedabhad, but the England led by Monty Panesar's quick spin bounced back to win the series 2-1, for the first time in 24 years. Then Australia toured India and it was the Dhoni's turn to avenge for the losses down under. And he did start off in style with smashing 226 runs in  the first test and India won the series 4-0. Adding to these big victories came the 2 innings wins against the WINDIES in  Sachin's Farewell series. After the retirement of Sachin, the next tour was against South Africa where the first test ended in a thrilling draw and they lost the second match. In the next tour to New Zealand, they lost the first match of the series before settling for a draw the next match after they were in a winning position. Now the same saga continued in England as they took the top 9 wickets for 298 before the last wicket added 198 runs and England took the lead. By this test Indias's horrible streak extends to 15 tests without a win outside India. With the second test beginning today at the Lord's its up to MS to see whether to extend the unsuccessful run or put an end to it.




S.T. Guha Karthikeyan