Blogs Indian Cricket Team, Poor Travelers or Excellent Hosts?
November 26th, 2007 by prashantTraditionally it has been said that the Indian Cricket Team is a poor traveler. Is that true anymore? In the last 5 years alone, Indians have drawn (and almost won) a Test series in Australia (which no other team has done in recent past), pushed South Africa in their home to eventually lose the series 2-1, Won a Test and ODI Series in Pakistan, Won a Test Series in the Caribbeans, Won a Test Series in England. Isn’t that an impressive record?
At home on the other hand, India only managed to draw a Test series against a lowly English team, drew a Test series against Pakistan and lost the ODI one. Also, one of the stats that was mentioned after India’s win yesterday after chasing 203 runs was that this was only the second time India has successfully chase a total in excess of 200 at home. I was personally very surprised.
If we look at India’s performance at World Cups, the only time they have either reached the final or won it was when they were playing away from home. Even the T20 WC was won while playing away. The best WC performance in the sub-continent has been a semi-final loss to Sri Lanka.
So, I would venture to say that the Indian team in fact is a very good traveler as well as very good host (for the visiting team).
What do you all think?
November 27th, 2007 at 11:35 am
I agree with Prashant! Indians have always known to be good hosts…for more than 2000 years! Why not continue that tradition in cricket as well?
March 26th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
After a very interesting, hard-fought and reasonably successful tour down-under, playing at home against South Africa, will India revert back to it’s “good-host” position?
The first day of the 1st test did not play-out well for India. Let’s watch and see how it continues.