By Gaurang
September 8 2011

India are World Champions in the ODI format, having won the World Cup just months ago.  Yet they have suddenly been playing less like Champs and more like Chumps.  What gives?

First let us admit that the Indian team currently playing England in the ODI series is basically a India second XI.  With Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh, Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh missing for one reason or another, the side is less than half representative of the World Cup winning side.

Yet, the hallmark of Champion sides is that they generally have a deep bench.  But India's bench strength has been quite weak.  So much so, that Rahul Dravid, was recalled from de facto ODI retirement to play not just ODIs but even make his T20 International debut, though he and the other "seniors" Sachin Tendulkar, and Sourav Ganguly, voluntarily decided to skip the inaugural T20 World Cup nearly half a decade ago, giving the current Captian M.S. Dhoni, his big break as leader.

The fickle English weather has not done the World Champions any favors.  The first match which was washed out, and the second one was reduced to basically a T20 game.. why they picked the wierd number of 23 overs per side don't ask me... seems like they really wanted to call this an ODI and not a T20...

England are current world Champions in T20... so it was not that surprising that they won the second match... India will have to prove that they still have the stomach for the fight of a Champion side, if not quite the personnel in the remaining three matches, if their right to call themselves World Champions is not to be seriously questioned.

A side note that probably explains a lot about why India are in the state they are in is the news that Harbhajan Singh has declared himself now fully fit, and able to play in the Champions League T20 bash that will immediately follow the ODI series.  Bhajji has made it amply clear where his priorities are.  I wonder how many of the missing in action "Stars" will return to play for their respective IPL club sides in the Champions League. 

From Champs To Chumps?

Discussion started by Indian Cricket Fever (IP Logged), 08/09/2011 18:27

Indian Cricket Fever
08/09/2011 18:27

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ThinEdge
09/09/2011 14:45

COMPLACENT!!!!!!!!!

When I made that comment immediately after the conclusion of the 3rd TEST in the Caribbean, I was soundly ridiculed on this MB.... I was told India can NEVER go the way of the Windies/ Sri Lanka etc.

Calling the game off against the West Indies showed a complete lack of confidence and killer instinct of a champion side.

And a few weeks later look at what has happen to the World's #1 ... demolished!!!!

India no doubt has talent and the ability to be good ...but currently not the unity, determination and fire to be great!!!

Personally I do believe the IPL scene is more detrimental than fostering Indian cricket ... to some extent a few other nations.

All said and done.... the $$$ will win out.

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Spirit of Cricket
09/09/2011 17:30

Don't most of us care about $$$?

Actually I think they're mentally and physically exhausted.

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Birbal
09/09/2011 17:44

Yes we care about $$$ ...but there is professional pride too...

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