Ayaz Memon
The debate`s heating up on whether the team currently touring New Zealand is not the best ever in Indian cricket history. I have no doubt that this is true for limited overs games, but where Tests are concerned I still have some compunctions despite the two contrastingly superb performances in this series yet. Some other teams of the past - of 1971-73, `75-76 and 86-87 for example - were very, very good too.
The relative ease with which the 2nd Test was saved cannot undermine the grit that was needed to achieve this result. To switch from attack and flair in the 1st Test to grim, back-to-the-wall defence in the 2nd needed not just versatile skills, but also great ambition. I know of many teams in the past which would have thrown in the towel after surrendering a 1st innings lead in excess of 300.
This team has sizzle and spunk, no doubt. It has self-belief and a positive attitude which have been uncommon in the context of Indian cricket, thanks in no small measure because of a charismatic captain. But it is not in the mental aspect alone that MS Dhoni`s side seems different: it also has an assemblage of terrific talent, and very good balance.
Sehwag and Gambhir must surely rate as the best opening pair in the world. The former`s destructive genius finds a superb foil in his left-handed partner who has shown the extraordinary ability to win or save a match off his own bat. In that sense, Gambhir is one up on even Sehwag.
Dravid, Tendulkar, Laxman, Yuvraj and Dhoni complete the batting line-up, and I dare say there has been none other either as gifted or as intimidating. Theories about seniors being on the wane have been proved to be hogwash. The weakest link is astonishingly Yuvraj who can be brilliant on his day.
The bowling has depth and variety, though it admittedly needs to look sharp even on plumb tracks. Zaheer Khan is at the peak of his prowess and Ishant Sharma has given us enough evidence of how he might be in a few years if he builds on the form he has shown in his first two seasons. There is a plethora of good support fast bowlers. The spin department may not look as flushwith match-winners, but Amit Mishra, Pragyan Ojha and Piyush Chawla must rate as the three most promising young slow bowlers in the world. Harbhajan, of course, has over 300 wickets and is a dreaded bowler everywhere.
In effect, this team has the mix and depth of talent and the experience that any coach `n` captain would dream about, and in the past 18 months has 8 victories and 5 losses from 22 Tests, which is a terrific record by all accounts. So why am I still ambivalent to naming it the best Indian Test side ever?
Fielding primarily, which I believe remains embarrassingly poor. No team which aspires to be number one can drop so many catches, have so many laggards in the field. Add to this tardy running between the wickets, and you have a two-headed problem which Dhoni must address a.s.a.p. if he has to maintain the momentum which will take India to the top.
The other is winning consistency. The attribute of `best` is far too easily doled out these days to individuals and teams, and just as easily revised if there are some setbacks. It happened with the Indian teams of 1971, `75 and `86 too which enjoyed a few good series` but could not sustain the momentum. Truly great teams -- in modern cricket, the West Indies in the 70s and 80s, and Australia for the past 15 years - were defined as much by the ruthlessness as the regularity of their winning ways.
Now, if this team wins all the Test series` this year, it will not only be the best-ever from India, but also the best side in the world. The match at Basin Reserve beginning tomorrow is a good starting point towards this end.
