India: at a glance

India? Not as good as they should be. Never have been, really. Tendulkar? Over-rated. Dravid? Under-rated. The new pace attack? Potentially, bloody amazing.

These are my views on India. They are also right.

I have always liked the Indian test team; more than any other (England aside). Traditionally, their bowling attack has centred around Delphic-like spinners and their batting focuses on the boring arts of batting: patience and judgement. Spin bowling and boring batting are my two favourite things in cricket. India exemplify both these virtues.

In recent years, however, the character of Indian cricket has changed. The batting line-up, although the statistically most intimidating for many years, is strangely fragile. In the recent tour to South Africa, although the batsmen were capable of putting the team into a strong position, they were liable to collapse.

Whereas, during the same tour, the seam bowlers flourished. Sri Sreesanth became a match-winner. Zaheer Khan re-discovered his old devastating self. And, additional to this dangerous new-ball partnership, India has found itself with a host of young up-and-coming quicks pushing through the ranks. They should all do well in English conditions.

Although, saying that, so should Steve Harmison.

I’ll write another post about the batters later. You know, when I can be bothered.