Is this the best Indian ODI outfit ever?

We are a hopeful people obsessed with a game of chance. Yet, Harsha Bhogle, quintessentially knowledgeable, pertinently poetic and tremendously realistic, said something on air that reflected exactly what many Indian cricket lovers were thinking. He pointed to Mike Artherton that this Indian outfit stood out for two interesting reasons – it was a great fielding unit and it boasted of an out-and-out quick. The title would get some fans of yesteryear crazy, some of them disillusioned by India’s consistency, or lack of it. Yet, the author can be forgiven for looking at potential and potential alone and believing this outfit could make headlines come the 2015 ODI World Cup down under.

One of the most glaring aspects of the outfit was its agility. In nearly 2 decades, the first ODI of the Champions Trophy probably was the first time India had a better fielding unit than SA. With an average age of 26, the team doesn’t have any bad fielders per se and for once, Dhoni doesn’t have to hide anyone. Even the fast bowlers like Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav are decent fielders capable of putting in the  odd dive. The circle boasts of electric speed in the form of Jadeja, Raina, Rohit, Karthik, Dhawan and Kohli. It was a moment of magic on the field from Jadeja, in fact, that brought India right back into the game after SA were cruising at one stage. The team boasts of a genuine quick in the form of Umesh Yadav, who can hit 144kph (90mph) consistently without endeavoring too hard. It also boasts of a genuine swing bowler in Bhuvanesh Kumar, who is a good 10kph faster than Praveen Kumar. Throw in the skills of Ravichandran Ashwin and India has 3 reliable bowlers.

What they didn’t have for decades was a genuine all-rounder. Ravindra Jadeja is doing well at No.7. In fact, in India’s match against SA, he had contributed substantially with the bat, ball and on the field. For a change, it was outside India. With the best keeper-batsman in ODIs and with a bowler who can bat as well as Jadeja can, the team has balance. R Ashwin at No.8 and B Kumar at No.9 add some spunk to the tail. The squad also boasts of Irfan Pathan, who could be a handy bat if he can outperform the erratic Ishant with the ball, especially on seamer-friendly pitches. One of the reasons India won the first ODI against SA was the mismatch in conceptions. While SA walked in thinking of a team that cannot play fast, short-pitched bowling, they were faced with a batting line-up where at least 4 batsmen were reasonably comfortable against the short-pitched stuff. Dhoni, Kohli and Rohit are extremely good pullers of the ball, sometimes thumping the short ball in front of square, which is an emphatic sign. Dhawan can handle pacers with reasonable comfort and so can Karthik. This is a batting line-up which is good at handling pace and in fact, enjoys it. Even Raina, on his day, has excellent hands when the ball is in his zone. The new rules allowing 2 bouncers will hurt him. Nevertheless, he has plenty of time to work on his shortcomings. A better approach to short bowling will only be an added feather for one of the best finishers in the business for India.

A good batting lineup, agile fielding, good bowling options in seam and spin departments and a calm but clever tactician at the helm make the team a good one. Shane Warne, known as the best captains Australia never had, pointed out that this Indian team on its day can win a lot more abroad that its predecessors. It is too early to point out that this ODI team is better than the squads of the past like the 2003 WC finalist team, which boasted of Ganguly, Dravid, Srinath, Zaheer and Sachin. However, it is a team that can get the fans excited. It is a team that has potential. One can only hope it justifies the talent with results. A young, impactful, fiery and yet solid opening pair did exactly that in the first ODI. One can’t wait to see what follows next.