India vs Australia 2015-16 ODI series has been a run-fest so far © Getty Images (File Photo)
It began in 2013, after an entertaining Test series that India won 4-0. Australia suffered a humiliating defeat in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, for it was India’s first 4-0 whitewash. It did not help that Australia’s internal issues, most prominently the ‘Homework-gate scandal’ were embarrassing by any standards. Unperturbed, they returned with George Bailey as captain to complete their limited-overs leg of their India tour later in the year. India and Australia played a one-off T20I first, with both teams scoring more than 200, and the hosts winning the clash by 6 wickets, with 2 balls in hand. But then, it was not the real thing. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: India vs Australia 2015-16, 2nd ODI at Brisbane
Next up was a seven-match ODI series, which started off the run-fest that has become a customary norm whenever India and Australia clash. In that series, one match (the fifth ODI at Cuttack) as washed out completely; before that, in Ranchi, the match had to be abandoned because of rains. Australia had scored 295 for 8 batting first, and India were 27 for no loss in 4.1 overs when play was interrupted.
In the five completed ODIs India and Australia registered a mind-boggling total of 3,274 runs (that is an average of 327 runs per 50 overs — average, not highest), and all 10 wickets in 10 completed innings fell only twice. MS Dhoni: India have to score more runs and stop giving freebies to Australian batsmen
There is a belief that the ongoing India vs Australia series Down Under is not a ‘high-stake’ one as is the case usually whenever these two teams clash. The fact that there is no major 50-over competition in horizon may be the reason. Both India and Australia have introduced new players and have reaped benefits, but have paid the price as well.
However, it is the intensity that has been missing for some time. Battles between bat and ball are being outrageously won by the former on most of the occasions. In only two ODIs played so far, a whopping 1,236 runs have been scored and a mere 19 wickets have fallen.
Where is the competition that the fans seek between the batsmen and the bowlers?
While there is no doubt that the rivalries in India versus Australia contests are not as intriguing as before, the least the frenetic fans of both sides expect are fierce battles between bat and ball. While batsmen continue to make merry, be it in India or Australia, bowlers have generally taken flak, and a lot of it. Both India and Australia have regularly avenged the harsh treatment dished out to their bowlers. MS Dhoni struggling but should not be singled out: Sunil Gavaskar
The rivalries that used to spice up the India-Australia contests have been replaced by brilliances of certain individuals. Rohit Sharma is enjoying a fabulous run against Australia, and George Bailey has emerged as the new nemesis for the Indians. Records have been broken and reset rapidly, but unfortunately, the bowlers are in hiding.
Especially from the perspective of the Indian fans, there are massive disappointments. Evidently, there is a huge chasm between India and Australia, the world champions. The hosts, in the ongoing series, have made use of every opportunity that came their way, whereas India have lost the plot twice after building good platforms with bat; they have conceded plenty of extras and have dropped catches, both unpardonable errors in 2016. While Australia have managed their workload extremely well with whatever resources that are available, India continue to squander what they already have. India vs Australia 2015-16, 2nd ODI: MS Dhoni admits 300-plus score insufficient
India has been on a consistent decline in one-day cricket ever since the end of ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. Dhoni’s batting and captaincy are not the same anymore, and despite having the same set of players who ensured the team reach semi-final round last year, India have been struggling on all accounts.
On the other hand, Australia, who lost as many as six frontline players including Michael Clarke, Brad Haddin and Mitchell Johnson, are looking strong as ever.
Scores around 300 have been proven inadequate time and again, and flat decks have implied more pain in the lives of bowlers. Bowlers from both camps have been on the receiving end, but it is the Indians who have been humiliated more. Australia slam India by 7 wickets in 2nd ODI at Brisbane to take 2-0 lead
The question that arises here is simple: what attraction does the ongoing India versus Australia series have, when it is evident that the matches will be one-sided (heavily tilted in batsman’s favour) and India will continue to make small mistakes?
India have flourished as well as faltered with the bat, but they have posted totals in excess of 300. Not only the bowlers have failed to defend it, but the general fight has been missing. Australia have sauntered to wins in both ODIs, and yet there is no promise that the situation will improve at India’s end. This implies that more defeats on cards and more heartburn for the fans.
With the defeat at Brisbane on Friday, India’s winless streak against Australia extended to 10 matches across formats. They will be playing the third ODI on Sunday, which promises to be a run-fest once again. It will provide India a chance to make amends at their end and bounce back, as Australia are now only one win away from sealing the series.
(Devarchit Varma is senior writer with CricketCountry. He can be followed on Twitter @Devarchit)