Oh thanks god, it was not a white wash.It could very easily have been 6-0 instead for 4-2. I am saying this because the two matches which India won was totally under the control of the Aussies for most part of the game and India literally snatched victory from the jaws of defeat on both occasions. Contrary to this, all the four games that the Aussies won were one-sided and India lost its grip even before the half way stage. Our players showed no inclination to fight it out.It was a collective failure from the Indian team. No consistent performer both with the ball and well with bat. One innings of brilliance from Yuvraj on a lost cause, One match winning figures from Karthik was all on offer from our team on a 7 match series. Sachin once again turned out to be the leading Indian run scorer for the second time in-succession which goes on to shown that India still is heavily dependent on him. Our new ball bowlers were pathetic through out the series. Consistently being in-consistent with their line and length. In comparison,Australian bowlers were on target hitting the line just out side the off stump consistently.This made the life of Ricky Ponting very easy. Stack his field with fielders on the offside. Indian in turn were very wayward and one could not fault Dhoni much on this. He should be commended for resting Dravid on the final one day owing to to awful form. I would have been happier if that place was taken by Rohit or Badri instead of Dinesh Karthik.
It took only two players to win the series for Australia. Hayden and Symonds. I just wonder when are we going to have a plan in place for Hayden. If we cannot get him out at least try to contain the runs flowing from his bat. Aussie had a firm plan in place for each of the Indian players be it a batsman or a bowler
Let me try to evaluate the performance of each player and rate them.
Excellent :
Murli Karthik: By far the best of the bowler in the Indian side. was consistently economical. Thoroughly deserved the six wicket haul. Marks : 7/10
Good:
Bhajji : Though was not among the wickets was also economical when the others were going at more than six an over. Mark 4/10
Uttappa:
Played a couple of matured innings. If his 18 Balls 30 in the slog over turned out to be a match winning one, his 47 in the final one-day showed his willingness to stay and fight. Marks : 4/10
Zaheer Khan :
Had a mixed tournament. Bowled splendidly in the final one-day inspite of runs flowing at the other end . Marks: 4/10
Pathan : Was the only bowler who consistently end up figures of less than five runs per over despite the fact that Aussies reached 300 on about four occasions.But did not deliver any match winning figures. Marks 4/10
Dhoni: Just one good innings in this series. But a little cameo that was. Very ordinary series otherwise. His match winning abilities are vanishing day by day. Marks 3/10
Sachin : Gave good starts but could not convert it to big ones. Literally unreliable when batting second. But still ended up being the highest run scorer for India. Marks 3/10
Poor :
RP Singh and Sreesanth : Just Pathetic and nothing else. Bowled on both sides of the wickets. But did pick up wickets in the initial matches. Main culprits in allowing Australia reach 300 on four ccasions.Marks 2/10
Yuvraj : Just one innings of brilliance (121). Nothing else to show on other matches Marks 2/10
Ganguly : Helped India to a good start in one match. Nothing else. Should be rested against Pakistan.Marks 2/10
Dravid : A No Show literally from this great batsman. Should be given a chance with Pakistan Marks 0/10
