It's been a long month and we are not yet done.
It started with the last match of the longest ever Test series (spanning a full year between the first and last Test). When the Final Test began earlier in the month, we dominated for four days. The fifth day was all about Bazball cricket and how it took off, thanks to the English batsmen, particularly Bairstow and Root.
The match was disappointing for Indians not just because we lost a golden opportunity to beat England in England in Test cricket but also because we seemed to have exceeded expectations for most of the Test match. Don't forget, India just came straightaway from IPL cricket into what was a one-off Test in this year, in English conditions. If you observe our recent results, you would notice that we have been poor starters on foreign soil, especially in SENA countries.
Last year's WTC Final against New Zealand is another example where we would have surely been better off without having to play just one Test out of nowhere. A series allows scope for redemption and comebacks. A one-off contest, especially in alien conditions, has basically been our Achilles heel.
Which is why, it was all the more commendable how we dominated this Test. Yet, on the final day, we lost. With more resolute batting, with more disciplined bowling, we could have easily drawn the match, at the very least.
Nevertheless, the 1-1 result was a tough pill only because we knew we were this close from making history and lost that moment because we fluffed our chances out of nowhere. It is still a compliment to this team that we are bemoaning a 1-1 series draw in England as almost a loss because we know the potential and ability of this team.
It was the same disappointment we felt after what happened in the last two Tests against South Africa in South Africa in January. Our third innings batting and our last day bowling have let us down in two consecutive, crucial away-series moments, and it was truly disappointing to not get over the line.
Be that as it may, overall, we have still acquitted ourselves very well. The team won the T20 and ODI series in England and now, at the time of writing this, we have already won the ODI leg of the WI tour too, with basically a second-string team.
As the T20 season approaches again with the WI T20 series later and Asia Cup in August, culminating in the all-important T20 World Cup in October, let's wish our team well and continue to let them have our backs.
Go well, Team India - Jai Ho!
