They Play Old School Of Cricket..!

Ponting said these words on Indian test team at the start of the series. The Indian Team which has the fab four: so many test matches of experience, so many tons of runs between them! The Indian Team which has Kumble and Zaheer; the veteran of so many test matches, so many wickets between them! Is Ponting joking? Of Is there any wisdom in his talk?

Records and history both would be on Ponting’s side! The Indians have played more number of draws in the last few decades than any other! The percentage of draws this Indian team achieve is equal to percentage of draws in test matches played in pre-90 era, which is two decades ago!

The first test at Bangalore isn’t different from this trend! Ponting was quite generous when he set 299 in 83 overs at 3.6 runs per over for India. But what happened after this is testimony to Ponting’s statement! It was alright…everyone knew only one team was playing for victory. But, Ponting had a fielder at third man and cover-point throughout 5th day. He had many fielders spread to restrict singles. Ponting was wary of the target! Only one team playing for victory and only one team playing to avoid defeat! The Indians were like blind-men rowing boat; at their own pace waiting for boat to hit bottom. It’s a pity to see aussies, the champion side, play this Indian team, a brand of old school of cricket-Draw the Match!