SCG Test: India's bowlers betray a lack of understanding of cricket

“If there is a fate worse than being an Indian cricket fan I have not heard of it.”

-- An India fan’s comment in the Guardian’s live commentary of the India vs Australia Test in Sydney.

You couldn’t help but identify with the statement. In the last session on day 4 of the fourth Test, India’s bowlers conceded 213 runs in 34 overs at a run-rate of 6.27. This after they had fought back through some sensible batting in the first two sessions of the day. But it took one session (as has been the case all series) of poor cricket to wash all that hard work away.

India might turn around and say that Australia are only 348 runs ahead – they are still in with a chance of winning the game. But we all know that the reality is far more cruel. Chasing down 348 runs on a pitch with turn and variable bounce is not going to be easy. In Adelaide too, but for Michael Clarke’s sporting declaration, India would not have had a chance. In Sydney too, we are depending on Steven Smith’s sporting spirit and thirst for victory.

If Smith declares overnight, India will have a slim chance of winning – they will need to chase perfectly – but Australia will have a far greater say in how things unfold. In Sourav Ganguly’s book, it is ‘70-30 in Australia’s favour.’

But a greater and perhaps more frustrating issue for India has been the inability of their bowlers to understand the flow of the game. A whole tour has passed but still the same old mistakes are made. They talk about learning but clearly haven’t been.

The day before, Mohammad Shami spoke about sitting in the dressing room and watching the Australian bowlers go about their business.

“They know the wicket, the bounce, what line and length they have to bowl. They have played here more. But we are watching them and we are learning, we are getting better.”

Getting better at press conferences perhaps.

Because in terms of actual improvement while bowling – this team has shown precious little. Not once on this tour have India looked like taking twenty wickets and that betrays a lack of understanding of the game.

R Ashwin started off the innings brilliantly. Given the new ball, he quickly sent danger man David Warner back. If Warner had got going, India would have been in even bigger trouble. Then, he dismissed Shane Watson too. Australia were going for quick runs but they were 46-2, the ball was turning and bouncing wickedly, and Virat Kohli was pretty charged up.

Then Umesh Yadav came into the attack – in the 12th over. The first ball was going down leg and Steve Smith helped it to fine leg for four. The second (a no-ball) was short and wide and also smashed for four. Then, incredibly… he bowled two dot balls… completely against the run of play. The fourth ball was short again – and it was pulled in front of square. The last ball of the over was same and hit for four more — this time behind square. This was poor bowling not worthy of any international cricketer; certainly not of one who masquerades as a professional.

The runs came quick and fast after that. But wickets kept India in the game – at one point, Australia were 165-5, 262 runs ahead. The visitors were in with a genuine chance.

But then Wriddhiman Saha missed a stumping chance with Joe Burns on 17 and in response, the batsman smashed Ashwin for 14 runs (4-4-6 off consecutive balls) in his next over. It went steadily downhill thereafter. The run-rate kept climbing and India started looking pretty haggard.

It got so desperate that India turned to Umesh Yadav once again.

He started off with a short ball – and gave away four runs on his first ball back. The second one was also short – and Haddin hit it over deep cover for four. Strangely enough, Kohli gave him another over – hoping that maybe the fast bowler would learn from his mistakes — but Umesh showed a huge disregard for that.

Burns smashed him for four consecutive fours in his next over. In total, Umesh Yadav conceded 45 runs in three overs. It wasn’t just poor bowling, it was also poor thinking. There was a point in time when Pakistan skipper Imran Khan used to tell Wasim Akram exactly what ball to bowl before each delivery and if that is what it takes, then that is what Kohli needs to do as well.

After the end of play, Ashwin tried to paint a positive picture.

“We definitely conceded more runs than we would have liked this evening. But the pitch is still not too bad for batting,” he said. “I mean, this is a wicket where you apply and bat – it will be hard to get you out, you can put a price on your wicket.”

“If presented with a chance to victory, we will go for it in as sensible a manner. We are here to win games of cricket – no two ways about it,” he further added.

But that is a big if and depends on many factors following a certain set path.

“The wicket spun and it will only get tougher,” said Burns. “I am sure we will create ten opportunities. It will be all about grabbing them. Spin will play a major part but there was some reverse and variable bounce.”

This is a statement which reveals Burns’ confidence in his bowlers. Something that given the current brainless state of our bowling, India will almost never have.