Champions League T20- a reflection of India's inability to cope with foreign conditions?

Two and half matches, two defeats. That’s what sums up Kolkata Knight Rider’s performance in this year’s Champions League T20. This is, in fact, the second time that a club tournament involving the team has been held in South Africa and on both the occasions, the Kolkata team has been lacklustre. People who are keen on cricket are bent on putting these performances under the microscope and scrutinizing. I do not boast of being a cricket guru and that is why I will limit myself to expert opinions and the little information that I was able to gather.

The conditions in South Africa are completely different from what we are accustomed to in the sub-continent. Factors like grass, dew and wind play major role in the pitches of Centurion, Johannesburg and Durban. Most of these places being on higher altitudes are more prone to changing  wind and weather patterns. As a result, the kookaburra balls start behaving unnaturally. Some of the balls have good carry-through to the wicket-keeper while some tend to keep low. The unusual nature of the wind makes it even more difficult for the batsman to play shots because they are really not sure which delivery is going to swing which way. The strong wind also helps the ball to skid through the surface at a fiery pace making bowlers even more dangerous.

It’s not only the Indian batsmen who suffer here. The problem is universal. Here I should remind the readers, in case they begin to think that I am being judgemental, that this is not my opinion at all. The verdict was given only a few days back by the legendary batsman turned commentator Sunil Gavaskar. While responding to Australian opener David Warner’s comments that Indian batsmen are usually uncomfortable against the pace and bounce on the South African wickets, Gavaskar said that the problem is universal. Even Australian batsmen struggle against short deliveries.

That is why it won’t be fair to blame Gambhir or McCulum (captain KKR-2009 IPL) and their men only. The problem is universal. Moreover, Bengal has never been known to be the best in India, leave alone the world when it comes to cricket. Be it the issue of limited exposure or the lack of natural talents, the problem has persisted. And the case just discussed has added on to the affliction. What is more surprising is to see even a local star like Jacques Kallis finding himself in deep water while confronting the swing and pace.

Here I would again like to refer to a well-known commentator who, while analyzing the dismissals of Gautam Gambhir, said that his style of playing is typical of a sub-continent batsman-just trying to poke it to the mid-wicket for runs. That’s not how one plays on South African soil. What surprises me is the fact that this is the same batsman who had braved the Protean chin-music just a year back to earn his country its first series draw on South African soil. In Gambhir’s case, it’s probably more of an issue of form than anything else.

Therefore, I am not be drawing any conclusion about the inability and uselessness of Indian batsmen on foreign soil as most people tend to do (particularly after India’s eight nil drubbing on foreign soil). I would simply say that it’s easier saying than doing and that is why it’s better to wait for the right chances and keep your fingers crossed.