India's 100th Test win achieved in the Kanpur match against Sri Lanka last week must act as high-octane fuel to make it to the top.
India's 100th Test win achieved in the Kanpur match against Sri Lanka last week must act as high-octane fuel to make it to the top. I am not referring to mere rankings where India has achieved a great deal in recent months, but a wholesome flow of away wins.
A win abroad was a rarity before the start of the millennium, but things changed when Sourav Ganguly took over as captain and teamed up with New Zealand coach John Wright. The baton was passed on smoothly to Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble and Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who have enjoyed decent success abroad.
India has a long road ahead to get close to Australia's dominance abroad. That's why it seems a bit funny that Dhoni's Indians can be No 1 soon without having beaten Australia in a series Down Under. Makes you wonder what sense rankings make. But then, that's what happens when superiority or inferiority is decided by mere stats.
However formidable, India has to correct some grey areas, which could come in the way of them being the true No 1 Test team. Their pace attack looks iffy with Zaheer Khan just coming out of injury and Ishant Sharma having lost his bite which he was able to display in good quantity. Sreesanth's comeback is good news, but he will have to sustain his success.
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Spin bowling is a worry because there is far too much dependence on Harbhajan Singh. If he goes through a terrible phase, India don't appear to have a tweaker who can bowl a side out. The lack of an all-rounder is another hole that India needs to plug.
Back-up stocks have to rise and this is where strong first-class cricket will play a huge role. Quality is not going to drop in the hands of the selectors unless there are some serious domestic performances.
I remember someone asking the late India batsman Dilip Sardesai why his state side Mumbai was so invincible in the 1960s and 1970s. Sardesai didn't have to think hard for an answer. "We were a damn good side, but the guys who were waiting in the reserves were as good if not better."
Sardesai knew quite a bit of cricket dominance. Mumbai never lost out on a Ranji Trophy title when he wore that lion-crested cap.
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