What’s the story?
Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar, who handed over the ICC Test Championship mace to Virat Kohli at the conclusion of the four-match Test series against Australia believes that success abroad is the next step for the Indian team.
"That's (winning overseas) what we always want to do, that's the test we set ourselves as players. We are familiar with home conditions. It is great that we do well at home, it is pretty much expected. But winning overseas is a completely different satisfaction. It's a greater satisfaction that in conditions that you are not used to, you have done well. The team is on the right track with Anil Kumble as the coach because Anil not only has massive experience he was also an aggressive bowler.
The context
India have well and truly conquered the other teams during their home season. The Kiwis, English, Bangladeshis and Aussies proved to be no match for the hosts as the Indian team went from strength to strength to win 10 of the 13 games they played this season.
The details
‘India are not a team that travels well’ – This is a tag that Virat Kohli and his men will truly look to get rid off in the coming months. India’s struggles while traveling abroad during MS Dhoni’s reign were one of the factors that tarnished the former captain’s legacy.
In the home season, India played 13 matches, winning 10, drawing 2 and losing just one match. In comparison, in their last 13 matches on foreign soil, they won 4, drew 5 and lost 4 matches. Keep in mind that India were victorious in their last two series’ abroad, against the struggling Windies and a below-par Lankan side.
The real challenge is when they come up against the likes of the English, the South Africans, and the Australians. India last won a series in England in 2007, while they are yet to beat South Africa or Australia away from home.
India will travel to South Africa in November-December and will be keen to show the world they are ready to do well on the road.
Author’s take
The Indian team under Virat Kohli has never gotten carried away. They have discovered a new steeliness and seem determined to achieve as much success as possible. A number of Indian legends have reiterated that the team will achieve real success when they win abroad. Given the way they are playing currently, they will be a match for any team on their soil.
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