Team India were smacked ‘˜twice on the face’ by England ‘“ once on the pitch where they were humiliated by a 266-run loss at Southampton and then at the ICC judgement table.
Team India were smacked ‘twice on the face’ by England – once on the pitch where they were humiliated by a 266-run loss at Southampton and then at the ICC judgement table where MS Dhoni’s insistence to press charges against James Anderson were pressed down by the cricket’s authority body.
The Judicial Commissioner Gordon Lewis found both Anderson and Ravindra Jadeja not guilty in an alleged pushing incident involving the two players after a marathon six-hour hearing. The incident took place during the 1st Test match at Trent Bridge and since then, has taken the sheen away from the cricket.
Furthermore, MS Dhoni and India received flak from the British press for their farcical behaviour towards Anderson. A column read, “… a finding that represents clear humiliation for India and their captain MS Dhoni, who initiated proceedings after a spat between the two at Trent Bridge,” wrote the famous Daily Telegraph under headline, ‘India humiliated as England’s James Anderson in clear’.
Moreover, India is facing injury problems as well with the likes of Ishant Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Wriddhaman Saha (replaced with Naman Ojha) all on the treatment table. More or less, India are facing the ire of being taken down flat on the mat from all corners possible and the one possibility available is playing sensitive cricket.
Team India have always been found wanting on the judicial table as well as on the cricket field. With reports suggesting that there were some ‘ranting’ involved between MS Dhoni and James Anderson, the latter accepted to sledging the young Indian all-rounder. Though BCCI are not happy with decision and are willing to appeal again at the ICC with more evidence coming through.
In such a case, Team India must entirely focus on their goal – winning the series. With England on a high after the win, the visitors might be jaded and low on morale with the decisions from the ICC as well as the loss at the Rose Bowl. Some of the bowlers including Mohammed Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar look tired and might need a rest. MS Dhoni and the management must forget the ‘behind the walls’ drama and fully concentrate on the action on hand.
With the series as well as the name on the line, it’s about time MS Dhoni stepped up the gear and delivered the ‘killer blow’ on to the arch rivals England. The ghosts of 2011 have well and truly awaken after that demoralizing defeat in Southampton but this is 2014 and a new Team India with a breath of fresh air amongst them! ‘Yes We Can’ could really reinvigorate the passion amongst these young Indian lads.
