India in Top 3 in Every Format
By Gaurang
August 21 2016
In the hand wringing that websites such as cricinfo have encouraged about India's likely drop from No. 1 to No. 2 due to the rain ruined 4th Test in Trindad and Pakistan reaching No. 1 in Test cricket for the first time ever in their history, the pundits have failed to recognize an even more significant achievement by the Indian side. It now is ranked in the top 3 in every format of the game. No other team currently is so consistently good in all formats.
To be good in one format is comendable, but to have the depth and breadth of talent to be among the top 3 teams in every format of the game is indeed a stellar achievement, which the Indian team and Indian fans can be mighty proud of.
Currently India is No. 1 in Tests, No. 3 in ODIs and No. 2 in T20Is... and the Indian women's team is No. 4 and rising fast in the ICC rankings too...
This truly indicates a cricket renaissance in the country. Never has Indian cricket been in such great shape both on and off the field. The BCCI's coffers are full... and they are spreading the largesse around quite liberally, improving facilities for cricket all across the country. The commercial success of the IPL has meant that many a young Indian cricketer can now seriously consider cricket as a financially paying career choice. And this is not limited to the IPL alone, even Ranji Trophy players are now paid much better than ever in history, making in the range of Rs. 10 lakhs or more per year just playing the game, instead of making a pittance and then supporting themselves with side jobs in banks, and other corporate houses.
What is also heartening is that the BCCI under new leadership, after the ouster of the odious N. Srinivasan, has moved to once again balance all three formats. For the first time since the early 80s India will be playing as many as a dozen Tests in a home season, including a full five Test series against England, the one country that has maintained its zest for that format.
Indian fans can thus look forward to a blockbuster home season, which should see the team consolidate its position in every format. The old fuddy duddys who wax nostalgic about Wadekar, the Spin Quartet, Gavaskar, and even the not so old ones who look back wistfully at the Tendulkar and Ganguly era should recognize that this is truly the Golden Era of Indian cricket. If India were to simultaneously be No. 1 in every format, that would truly be a pinnacle that would be historic and a crowning acheivement of this Golden Era.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2017:03:23:16:48:03 by Birbal.
Anyway, India is likely to RECLAIM the top spot in Test cricket in September...when they play New Zealand at home...
Pakistan it should be noted are languishing at No.9 in ODIs (behind Bangladesh) and No. 7 in T20Is...
So while the Test feat is commendable...it should be kept in perspective...
The reign of Misbah and his boys was short indeed... Captain Kohli and his men have bumped them off their No. 1 spot...
Don't expect much hoopla at Coconut central...i.e. cr@pinfo... but sad thing is even in regular Indian media this will not be highlighted much...
But in a way it's good...what is totally expected is not something that is "newsworthy" no is it...?smiling smiley
So currently India are No. 1 in Test, No. 2 in T20s and No. 3 in ODIs....
The goal of No. 1 in EVERY category is within reach...
India are so far ahead that even if they lose to Bangladesh in Bangladesh's debut Test in India they will remain No. 1...
together with their No. 7 and No. 8 T20I and ODI rankings... they show the utter state of disaster the lack of the ability to play IN Pakistan is causing...
We all know the REASONS for why nobody wants to play IN Pakistan... but still the Govt. there hides its head in the sand and says we are not a terror sponsoring nation... Sure!!!
Quote:Birbal
Pakistan sink to No. 6 in Tests rankings behind New Zealand...
together with their No. 7 and No. 8 T20I and ODI rankings... they show the utter state of disaster the lack of the ability to play IN Pakistan is causing...
We all know the REASONS for why nobody wants to play IN Pakistan... but still the Govt. there hides its head in the sand and says we are not a terror sponsoring nation... Sure!!!
Pakistan are no 1 in T20 - right?
Quote:AkbarQuote:Birbal
Pakistan sink to No. 6 in Tests rankings behind New Zealand...
together with their No. 7 and No. 8 T20I and ODI rankings... they show the utter state of disaster the lack of the ability to play IN Pakistan is causing...
We all know the REASONS for why nobody wants to play IN Pakistan... but still the Govt. there hides its head in the sand and says we are not a terror sponsoring nation... Sure!!!
Pakistan are no 1 in T20 - right?
Check the date of that post.... this was over two years ago... yes they've improved in the shortest format... maybe it is IPL Jealousy.. but for all other formats they are down in the dumps...
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2019:01:27:22:35:35 by Birbal.
Quote:BirbalQuote:Check the date of that post.... this was over two years ago... yes they've improved in the shortest format... maybe it is IPL Jealousy.. but for all other formats they are down in the dumps...AkbarQuote:Birbal
Pakistan sink to No. 6 in Tests rankings behind New Zealand...
together with their No. 7 and No. 8 T20I and ODI rankings... they show the utter state of disaster the lack of the ability to play IN Pakistan is causing...
We all know the REASONS for why nobody wants to play IN Pakistan... but still the Govt. there hides its head in the sand and says we are not a terror sponsoring nation... Sure!!!
Pakistan are no 1 in T20 - right?
Oh my bad. Wasn't paying attention.