You have blamed everybody else for hounding Australia after just one defeat.
And then you yourself go on to announce India as the next world champions. All that on the basis of just one test win. It is very funny that the whole of India have suddenly started imagining themselves as world champions, after just one win.
With the current team we have India can never achieve what Australia have achieved.
I for one sympathise with the Aussies. Not that I didn't enjoy their defeat, fabulous game from India, but that apart....
It's difficult for winners, so used to winning, to accept defeat. That too to a team ranked at the bottom of the ladder like India. Imagine how we all felt when India wobbled in their first test against Bangladesh?? If Sunil Joshi had not taken the fight to the opposition the unthinkable would have happened. I am not equating India to BDesh here, but from the Aussie point of view, in their own back-yard, based on previous experience, the nation expected nothing less than a white wash. Then Jerry turned on Tom.....
Another point which most writers seem to love to make... compare the WI dominance of the 80s with the current Aussie dominance and say that it will end in a few years if not at once... may be... but most probably NOT. Know why?? The Aussies have a fab system in place. Their A Team can beat most national teams.. They already have identified guys like Tait, Clarke and that other bowler.. They have super batsmen like Love, Hodge waiting in the wings.. WI never had any such. They had no system. Don't forget that. It is an insult to Cricket Australia.
A wonderful article. Clearly gives the picture as to how sportivly defeats have to be accepted. Buchhanan behaves like a Hitlor. What a comment! He is asking aussies team- what progress they have made. The records and performance of aussies team speaks about that. Their strategy is to win and if they fail once doesnt make it a bad strategy. We would have seldom seen aussies playing for a draw. Agreed that coach is important. But without talent of the players coach is a liability to the nation.Can Bucchanan make holland team play and win like Australia? But for sledging and unwanted comments ( i e.off the field), Aussies are highly professional.
Mr. Salil what u wrote "Is one defeat all it takes" is kool man. I think all the times India had the capability of winning the matches but they (Indian players) never used to be mentally strong. But this time in the second test with Australia Indian players were stronger than Austaralians. If they continue to be mentally strong then winning part of the cycle may start.
A fantastic article. You hit the nail right on the head. I was born in Australia to Indian parents. I am therefore an Indian-Australian, or an Australian-Indian. At any rate, an Australia vs India test series is always special to me. I am, however, an unfaltering supporter of the Austrlian cricket team. The loss in Adelaide has been portrayed so negatively I am shocked. People must remember, when you are so far out in front, it can sometimes be easy to not notice the competitors catching up. People think coming from behind is hard...but I would say that if you're good enough, coming from behind is easier than leading from the front. This is because you know exactly what it is you have to do to win. It's like having a coach showing you what to do. Now the aussies have a new target to aim at. A new record to break. The Australian cricket publication 'Inside Edge' recently released a special edition of the magazine dedicated to answering the question, 'Is this [the Australia cricket team] the greatest team ever?'. They should have waited until January 7th before they tried to answer.
I agree with the author. Why this mourning by Australia for just One and only Win by a touring country. We won because we were better on that particular day. One win cannot make or break anyone. Aussies should be reminded that they are breakable. No one should read anything more than this. As rightly said by Zulu...No one died...Hence enjoy future cricket and Aussies do not mourn.
