India's tour of Australia: SWOT analysis of the Indian team
“Inside my heart is breaking... But the smile still goes on... The show must go on...”When the famed English Rock Band Queen penned these words way back in 1991, little would one have guessed that 23 years hence, in 2014, the lyrics would hold true for a bunch of cricketers who played the sport simply out of pure passion.Life between the 22 yards had always been associated with joys dished out by hard-fought victories and frustrating losses.But that was before 27th November 2014.The cricketing fraternity stood traumatised as it saw the loss of a member on the field of play whenAustralian Phil Hughes succumbed to injuries 2 days after being hit on the head by a Sean Abbott bouncer. Needless to say, it left the rest of the players numbed and shell shocked.For long, “tragedy” was a term loosely used in the game but this was life’s own way of unravelling its harsh tragedy upon the sport.Cricket took a backseat as the world united in mourning the death of a son with the Australian team deeply overwhelmed in grief and emotion at the loss of their dear colleague.The much awaited 4 test match series between India and Australia, which was to begin from 4th December, was pushed back 5 days, in order to give the Australians along with the cricketing family the chance to mourn and come to terms with this void, which had been mercilessly created by fate.An overwhelming funeral later, it was finally time to realise that life, just like the ocean, has to go on and as India prepares to face Australia in their den, Hughes’ eternal shadow is sure to tower on in what will be an emotional series.Here’s a look at the SWOT (strength-weakness-opportunity-threat) analysis of the Indian cricket team and their chances in the four tests which will kick-start a gruelling season ahead.
#1 Strengths
India has always been considered a batting-heavy team with the presence of the Fab Four in the middle order. If they piled on the runs, the chances of the team emerging victorious increased manifold. Let’s be honest. Despite being offered the best of conditions the bowling attack was never expected to win matches abroad, let alone help pocket a series. There would always be a pedestrian third seamer who was capable of taking off all the pressure which had been created by the other two pacers.
After a long time the bowling attack inspires confidence and even though they might not send shivers down the opposition, they still have the ability to hunt as a pack and give Australia a taste of their own medicine.
Bhuvaneshwar Kumar’s accurate seam position compliments Mohammad Shami’s reverse swing well and in Umesh Yadav and Varun Aaron, the team has bowlers who can hurl the cherry consistently at 140kmph while Ishant Sharma has the onus of leading the attack. The 4 youngsters have picked up a total of 100 wickets in 32 games and in favourable conditions they are expected to be a handful.
Amongst the batsmen Virat Kohli, who has long been India’s mainstay, will have the responsibility of guiding India to totals which can be defended. He announced his Test arrival with a 116 in Adelaide the last time India toured Down Under in 2012 and since then has racked up 1855 runs in 29 test matches. A below average tour to England, where he managed only 134 runs in 10 innings would have left him disappointed and he would be raring to make amends.
Along with Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane have the technique and temperament to withstand the short pitched deliveries (which will be in plentiful!) and fine performances will help ease the pressure on Kohli and the players to follow.
Lack of expectations, given the decimation received by the team in 2011-12, could also go in their favour.