Indo-Pak Series 2006 - Yawn...

I have an unique theory as to India's recent test loss. They were bored to defeat. Bored, as in having to sit in an chemistry class for over 5 hours and not to be confused with bored as in drilling, although that usage also applies in this case.

The dead, flat, batsman's pitches which Pakistan prepared are the worst kind for cricket. Any sort of psychological advantage Indians held after the 1st test at Lahore were quickly dispensed by the lifelessness of the Faisalabad pitch. Give credit to Rahul Dravid for picking 5 bowlers and the initial enthusiasm displayed by young R.P.Singh and a re-energized Zaheer Khan to dismiss Pakistan in the 1st innings. But Pakistan's 2nd Innings really did the damage on the 4th day, the wicket neither suiting the Indian spinners nor the pace bowlers. With no turn and no pace, Younis Khan and Mohammed Yousuf went about dismantling the Indian attack.

Let me try to get into Dravid's mind for a moment and try to analyze what he might've been thinking.At any point in a test match, as a bowling and fielding side, there has to be some kind of positive optimism which the captain and players exude. On a flat track, they hope to contain matters till the situation becomes more favorable. In this case it would mean let the fast bowlers bowl to defensive fields, block the boundaries, consistent tight fielding to regulate Pakistani scoring and then when the pitch provides glimpses of some turn or wear and tear, attack with Kumble and Harbhajan Singh. But this would never happen. There would be no rescue from the spinners as the pitch refused to crumble and allow for spin and the tennis-ball like bounce ensured that Pakistan batsmen could play over the top with a certain sense of freedom. Pakistan, to their credit grabbed all opportunities they were given and even when there was talk amongst the commentators (mostly Dean Jones) about declaration, such kindness was not shown on the Indian bowlers.

By the time the Indian cricket team reached Karachi for the 3rd test, they were mentally bored and tired. The Adrenaline and upbeat tempo which India had shown on their last trip was sorely missing. How else would you explain letting Pakistan off the hook after Irfan Pathan's sensational hattrick? And then proceeding to fail to post competitive scores when required and losing the match by a huge margin.

I don't think anybody really was upset at the Indian loss. Most people I met and who are passionate supporters could only shrug their shoulders upon hearing India's defeat. I suppose that pretty much sums up this test series. None of the high's and lows of the previous trip.

In the end, besides being bored,it came down to which team had the better variety of bowlers and Pakistan certainly seem to have a more potent attack this time around on such surfaces. Irfan Pathan has some lost some pace and the vicious in-swinger which were crucial in his initial years. He needs to get back that zip and pace to regain his prime form. Zaheer Khan is not the fast bowler he was 2 years ago. He seems overweight and relies heavily on reverse swing. I feel we have a safe bowling rotation which does not neccasarily translate into good. We need to get Balaji back into the rotation and one express fast bowler who's capable of shaking things up for others like Pathan and Khan to exploit.

-Nav