India's tour to http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c56013 - Have injuries decided the fate of the Indian team? - Opinion
Before even a ball had been bowled, India's tour to England had been touted as one of the most significant encounters in Test Cricket history, alongside the much famous Ashes.
Almost one and a half month into the series, the battle has already been won by an English line-up which is arguably the best side in world cricket at present.
They have everything going for them, a top-notch batting order composed of match winners, and to top it all, they have a bowling attack which can make the ball talk, especially in the English conditions.
Now looking at their opponents, it was not in Captain marvelous, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MS-Dhoni-c2028’s wildest dreams that they would get such a rude awakening so soon, especially after they recently beat the best cricketing nations to win a well deserved World Cup.
The tides turned quickly as the Men in Blue had no replies for the ruthless English contingent, which certainly caused havoc, not only for the touring party, but even for the BCCI back at home in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750.
The defeat in the second One-Dayer showed the frailties of an attack, or even an squad, which is down to the bones after http://www.senore.com/Cricket/SR-Tendulkar-c2556 was the latest causality to injuries.
One cannot take anything away from an inform Poms outfit, which has the ability to rule the cricketing arena for many years to come, just like the great teams of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/West-Indies-c760 in the past.
However, if one glances through the course of the whole series, it must be said that injuries have severely hampered the Indians, who will certainly have to rethink their priorities.
The first day of the first Test at Lord’s, India lost their one and only premier seamer, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Z-Khan-c98379. The left-armer had been one of the consistent performers for the last couple of years and his hamstring injury meant that India had to adjust their bowling options, especially in the pace department, where they have always been lacking.
Next in line for treatment was their front line spinner, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Harbhajan-Singh-c61453, who tore an abdominal muscle and had to fly back home leaving a stranded Indian team.
Dhoni now banked on his batsmen, since they have been the main strength of the team for decades; however, injuries to http://www.senore.com/Cricket/G-Gambhir-c1447 meant that the team never really had a proper chance.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/I-Sharma-c1566 as the duo joined the long list of injured players.
The ODI series did not see much of a difference, as http://www.senore.com/Cricket/SCJ-Broad-c2465 injuring him with an inch perfect bouncer, which left his index finger in serious pain.
The last nail in the coffin was the ouster of the Master Blaster himself, when he aggravated an old toe injury, which forced him to fly back, leaving a battered Indian contingent in tatters.
Coupled with poor luck, it can be said that injuries have decided the Men in Blue’s fate; however, with three fixtures yet to come, one cannot rule out the visitors completely.
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