We hate swings and turning tracks but we are the best.

Indian batsmen and the curse of overseas

A tour to forget for Dhawan, Rahane, Pujara, and Vijay.

With the exception of the last match, KL Rahul lacked belief in the previous four matches. Shikhar Dhawan is clearly no more menacing when it comes to open the batting in the longer format of the game. With the paltry 162 runs in the four test matches, the Southpaw was dismissed by the English bowlers for a score which is by far better than the Gabbar’s standards. The time is surely running out for the Delhi lad. Pujara showcased the grit and class of Rahul Dravid in the penultimate test but was ineffective against the swing and failed miserably on the tracks which expected a stalwart like him to stand tall and carry the team. Murali Vijay might have bid goodbye to his Test Career with a golden duck in the second test match. Again, another batsman failed to reach the expectations. The biggest disappointment was Ajinkya Rahane. Someone who was considered to carry the legacy of the great Dravid in the tests is failing to leave a mark in the game. Just like Pujara, Rahane too showed his form and class in two innings in the entire series and in others he looked unconvincing and out of touch against the swing of Englishmen. Out of 10 innings, he just performed in only 2. South Africa tour was no amazing either. The player was/is considered one of the best overseas players had scored his last century away from home in 2016 at Jamaica. In 2018 he has scored 314 runs with an average of 24. Stats do not do justice to a player of Rahane’s calibre but he was supposed to be the silent guardian, the watchful protector.

Did the expectations bury the talent?