A Tale of Two (Cricketing) Countries

When India lost the Second Test match against the Kiwis by 113 runs they not only lost the Match, they lost the Series, they lost the chance to top the WC Test Ratings and they lost for the first time in 12 years a Home Series ! More than anything they lost honour !

In a cricket-obsessed nation like ours and die-hard critics and fans with their knives out, defeat in a cricket field is difficult to swallow than a poor performance rating at work – the Debacle (including the First Test loss) is being analysed more than the ‘Budget’ ever was. Some experts are eating the humble pie while naysayers cockily claim ‘We said so’ !

Charles Dickens, not known for his prowess in the gentleman’s game, had written pithy opening lines in his classic ‘Tale of Two cities’ that would fit today’s ‘Cricket’ context :   

“It was the best of times’ (Kiwis had pacers, wily spinners & Gods on their side)   

‘It was the worst of times’ ( India had listless players, low intent &  DRS calls  )     

‘It was the age of wisdom’ (Capt. Latham was brave and marshalled troops well )

‘It was the age of foolishness’(Capt Rohit was defensive, clueless and bereft of ideas)

‘It was the epoch of belief’‘ ( Kiwis were underdogs, no Williamson or superstars)

‘It was the epoch of incredulity’ (India had a problem of plenty but made poor choices)

‘It was the season of Light’ (All the Kiwis chipped in, some were just outstanding )    

‘It was the season of Darkness’ (Our big stars looked at sea & champions out of form)

‘It was the spring of hope’ ( Kiwis were focused, professional &  played to plan)   

‘It was the winter of despair’ ( Indians belied huge expectations of  billion fans)  

‘They had everything plus DRS’ (Nothing succeeds like success, all Kiwis performed)

‘We had nothing but ‘Collapses’(Nothing fails like failure, First Test hit  India hard)  

‘They will leave after the ‘Plunder’ (Kiwis leave with the heads high, history created )  

‘We are going direct ‘Down Under’(Indians travel to Australia, plenty to ponder over)

( PS : Apologies to Mr Dickens for few bold changes above, inspired by the Kiwis !)