India and Test Cricket?

I have been a supporter of the T20 revolution. I have always welcomed the IPL with open arms. I am not the one who says, "T20 is not cricket". I do believe playing Twenty 20 does require a completely different set of skills which are worth appreciating.

Recent developments in Indian cricket worry me. Are we disrespecting the purest form of the game? It is not just the 8-0 away defeats that really bother me. I am also not particularly concerned about the fact that two English spinners were able to run through an Indian batting line up. I do understand that in sport, such things do happen. Did we not bowl out South Africa for 80 odd on a green top a few years back. Then, did we not win against South Africa in Durban on another green top? And the WACA win? Playing on extreme conditions have backfired for so many other teams (while playing against us). So, the Mumbai loss is not a concern for me. Even as we stand at the brink of losing another test at Kolkata, it is not the result that really concerns me.

What bothers me is no one in our cricket administration seems to be really concerned about the away loses. There seems to be no preparation for our next away tournament in South Africa. What is the batting line up we would have? Would a Sehwag - Gambhir opening combination still work? Despite the failure in 8 matches, would we persist with the same combination? Who will bat at number 6. And at number 4? Is Sachin going to South Africa? If he is not going to South Africa, isn't it better that a youngster gets chance to bat in home conditions before heads to South Africa? What about our bowling attack? Would Zaheer go there? If he is not going, would it not be better to give a young pacer a go, before an important overseas tour? There are so many such questions to which our administrators seem to have no answers.

It almost seems to me that India is not giving enough respect to Test cricket ; in fact we have stared disrespecting the purest form of the game, which is really sad. I am not calling for sacking Dhoni, but no question marks on a captain's place even after losing 8 away games is unheard off in any cricketing administration. India's nonchalance towards this entire issue shows that we are really not concerned about doing well in Tests. 

Let me get one thing quite straight, I rarely whine about the Indian team losing. I honestly do not mind it. I understand that in sport sometimes things just do not work. But, I get irritated when the team is not sad about doing so poorly. I get a feeling that the only people bothered about India doing well in Test match cricket are fans like me, the commentators and columnists.  

I am not a fan who wants India to win all the time. I know it is not possible. And by that I am actually asking for too much. All I want is an honest effort every time they take the field. I want to see in the intensity. The rush of the blood because they are playing for India. It is that intensity that has driven me to watch the game. But now, that seems to have gone. I have become quite nonchalant with the results; because I get the feeling I am the only one who cares.

I know there is a lot of talent in India. We can still surprise everyone and win in South Africa. But for that something has to change - The Attitude. If that requires to drop MS, so be it.

Well as an Indian fan my line up for the first Australia Test is:

Unmukt Chand, Abhinav Mukund, Cheteshwar Pujara (captain), Ajinkya Rahane, Virat Kohli, Manoj Tiwary, Wridhiman Saha (wicket-keeper), Ravi Ashwin, Umesh Yadav, Ashok Dinda, Pragyan Ojha.  Ravindra Jadeja (12th Man)