4 reasons to go easy on the Indian cricket team

The Indian cricket team is being heavily criticised by the experts, former cricketers and fans from all across the world following their defeat in the second Test. More than the defeat, it is the manner in which the team lost. The Indian team was completely outplayed in all the departments at the Home of Cricket.

The batting, in particular, looked toothless as the batsmen looked helpless against the moving ball. There was definitely a lack of application and maybe even preparation.

Most of the people think that the team deserves all the criticism they have received. It is indeed true that the team has struggled to live up to the expectations. But, are we being too critical of them since this is Indian cricket? Here are a few points that suggest the same.

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#1. This defeat is the first of this kind

Kohli and Co in Australia

If we take a look at all the Test matches this team led by Virat Kohli has ever played, you will never find any match where they were outplayed like this. In all, Virat Kohli has lost 7 Tests as a captain and this was the only time the team was never in the competition, although it can be argued that the overseas sample space is very small.

Excluding West Indies, before the series, Kohli had captained the team in 5 overseas Test matches, two against Australia in the 2014-15 tour (1st and 4th test) and three against South Africa earlier this year.

Out of the five, India managed to win just one, drawing one and losing three. But the three matches along with the Birmingham Test were closely contested and could have gone either way. On paper, the record doesn't look good but it is pretty common these days.

#2. Every team failing in away test series

Bangladesh went on to beat Australia in home series

The Indian team has been struggling in overseas Test series post the victorious World Cup campaign in 2011. But this scenario is not limited only to the Indian team. In the last 7-8 years, we have seen very few away Test series wins by the teams across the world. The visiting team hasn't only lost but has been outplayed on most occasions.

The sub-continent sides have struggled in typical seaming conditions whereas the overseas players have looked helpless against spin in the sub-continent. India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka have lost matches abroad. Having said that, one must also remember England and Australia have lost Test matches even in Bangladesh in recent times.

All the teams have struggled to adapt to alien conditions. If playing seam and swing is an art, so is playing spin. There have been instances where the pitch has been called "bad" because of excessive spin. But if batsmen struggle on tracks and conditions that offer movement throughout, it is labeled as lack of technique. We have been doing this for quite some time now and this has to stop.

#3. Comparing this team to the golden generation

A solid No.3 batsman like Dravid is missed in overseas conditions

We humans have a habit of not appreciating what we have and always comparing it to what we once had. Similar is the case with this current Indian squad. It doesn't matter what they achieve, people will always compare them with the golden generation of Indian cricket (Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, Sourav Ganguly, Virender Sehwag in a single batting line up) and always make sure that the current side comes second.

But it is not fair to compare the two different teams for a few reasons. Firstly, they are from two different eras and the game has evolved a lot since then. Secondly, that was arguably the best batting line up India has ever had and may never be bested.

It is worth remembering that all the great batsmen also had their ups and downs. The same experts and fans who call them the best and troll the current side used to bash them for the same when they played.

In sports, we often forget that at the end of the day only one will succeed and the other will lose. Every sports person has off days, even the ones we consider as the best have had their share of failure.

#4. This team has achieved a lot in the recent years

The core of the team has been the same

India is currently the number one test side (also 2nd in ODIs and T20Is). India reached the number one spot after playing great cricket on a con. The Indian team won 9 successive Test series, which included wins over big teams like Australia, England, South Africa and New Zealand. Most were at home, but we have already discussed the home-away debate.

The 9 series wins have not come easy and required contributions from every player. The core of the team has remained the same. So, these are the same players that helped India get to the top of the ratings as almost every individual played a crucial part at some stage.

It doesn't mean that their work is done and they can get away with performing poorly. But, this is a relatively young side and they have done enough to deserve some backing. It is good to talk about the defeat and reflect upon the shortcomings, but the bashing received by the team is a little too harsh.