India and the World Test Championship

After scaling high ground in Australia, India has been given a reality check in the WTC championship by Newzealand. They claimed the inaugural ICC World test championship of cricket defeating India by 8 wickets at Southampton. A team which could fight back with a line-up of reserve palyers against Australia in their backyard , faltered at the most crucial moment with all the senior players back in action. The Kiwis deserved to win , not because of superior team composition, but because of a better strategy and inspired tactics. They also had several conditions in their favor like the weather, the toss and valuable test match preparedness in the form of a series victory against England. So near yet so far, Virat Kohli’s team will rue this lost opportunity. Playing conditions in England are always a challenge for batsmen ,especially from the sub-continent. The swinging ball, deployed menacingly by the kiwi bowlers , exposed the susceptibility of the Indian batters in the corridor of uncertainty, The Indian pacers who could generate more pace from the p[itch than the Newzealand bowlers, could not swing the ball as much as they wanted. Temparamentally, the Newzealand players were more assured and composed while the approach of the Indian batsmen in the second innings was a little vague. The attempt to accelerate the runrate could have been stopped to bide time and force a draw after the loss of crucial wickets; an approch which earned a memorable draw in the Sydney test. Test cricket has been the ultimate form to test the skill of the players. Despite the interruptions, the quality of cricket over the 4 days of the match was outstanding. Well done Newzealand and well tried India. As it is said in cricket it is the demons inside you that you have to vanquish first to defeat the opposition. Looking forward to the 5 test series against England.