Current Indian Test team - The best in the world?

[Shutdown Corner]

A first choice XI of:

Dhawan
M Vijay
Pujara
Kohli
Rahane
Ashwin
Saha
Pandya
Jadeja
Shami
Umesh

Looks pretty strong. They can bat down to #9 without compromising on their bowling strength due to having 3 all-rounders. Although the lower middle order seems a bit weak with Ashwin batting a bit high at 6, and Saha not being that great as a batsman, having a guy of Jaddu's class at #9 means the batting is very deep.

Of course in seaming conditions, Bhuvi/Ishant would probably take Jaddu's place or Pandya's. Plus you have a wicket taking spinner like Kuldeep sitting on the bench as well.

This looks like a team with as much potential as any other team out there right now, no?

 

[htariq25]

I would say South Africa and Australia r slightly better bcos India lower middle order looks vulnerable in foreign conditions and also their bowling attack could be exposed in non spinning conditions as their key weapons r ashwin and jadeja. We saw this exposure of their bowling last time they toured Australia and New Zealand and also England

 

[NoBallZombie]

They look good and have the ranking to show for it as well but saying that they are actually the best in the world is a bit premature i think. Let them play one full year on non-subcontinental wickets and we can have our verdict then

 

[Sachin136]

They look good and have the ranking to show for it as well but saying that they are actually the best in the world is a bit premature i think. Let them play one full year on non-subcontinental wickets and we can have our verdict then

The pitches for the WI, NZ and England series were flat for the most part.

 

[CanadianG00se]

Not the best in world. Next round of away tour will determine if they can compete away from home in SA/Eng then they can claim to be best. However, as of now they are certainly a champion team in asian conditions.

 

[sali]

Can't bowl a good team out twice outside the subcontinent. Can't play on the bouncing tracks. Its a very good team until it comes across a good batting or bowling line up outside of the subcontinent.

 

[Zeshan547]

Yeah surely best but only at home and as long as they don't play Pakistan at home, they surely murder every other touring team there. And we all know how these home lions become away mouse the moment they step out of Asia bar pathetic Windies, for India to be undoubtedly best team have to Win or Atleast draw test series in OZ, SA and England in there next away tours and then have to beat Pak anywhere in the world, till then it's all hypothetical.

 

[Sachin136]

Yeah surely best but only at home and as long as they don't play Pakistan at home, they surely murder every other touring team there. And we all know how these home lions become away mouse the moment they step out of Asia bar pathetic Windies, for India to be undoubtedly best team have to Win or Atleast draw test series in OZ, SA and England in there next away tours and then have to beat Pak anywhere in the world, till then it's all hypothetical.

No, to be the best team in the world, they don't have to win/draw series in England, Australia and South Africa and win against Pakistan. That is just some made up requirement. There is nothing special about beating a 6th ranked team.

 

[Abdullah719]

They are the current #1 ranked Test team.


If they do well in South Africa, they will be clearly the best... however I'm seeing claims on other threads of this team being the greatest of all time which is rather puzzling.

 

[Junaids]

No, not at all.

Very good in Asia. Very, very good in Asia. Their combination of spin with reverse swing bowled by fast bowlers works well on low bounce wickets.

But South Africa has lost only 1 away series in TEN YEARS.

India has lost its last series away in Australia, England and South Africa.

Until they rectify their inability to avoid defeat in alien conditions, they cannot be considered to be a competitive Test team.

 

[Chrish]

No.

It's between India, SA and Australia ATM

 

[Sadevdesai]

No Team is Unbeatable .... yessss !!! But this Indian Team is certainly a very good one. They beat up badly on a depleted SL Team, but it is not over yet, so let's just wait.

 

[Zeshan547]

No, to be the best team in the world, they don't have to win/draw series in England, Australia and South Africa and win against Pakistan. That is just some made up requirement. There is nothing special about beating a 6th ranked team.

To be undoubtedly overall best team both home and away in all conditions they have to fulfill above requirements bro, otherwise there will always remain question about the legitimacy of their no.1 ranking, they are very good team, yes, no.1 in ranking yes, but overall best team in all conditions, big big question mark....

 

[msb314]

[MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION]

The Indian test is average at best - make no mistake SL is in minnow category now and should not be a benchmark for judging teams.

 

[Leo23]

we will get the answer after they tour aus eng and sa. in asia they are an excellent team.

 

[CanadianG00se]

No, not at all.

Very good in Asia. Very, very good in Asia. Their combination of spin with reverse swing bowled by fast bowlers works well on low bounce wickets.

But South Africa has lost only 1 away series in TEN YEARS.

India has lost its last series away in Australia, England and South Africa.

Until they rectify their inability to avoid defeat in alien conditions, they cannot be considered to be a competitive Test team.

How many series did South Africa lost at home in same period??

 

[CanadianG00se]

[MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION]

The Indian test is average at best - make no mistake SL is in minnow category now and should not be a benchmark for judging teams.

This Indian team is definately not just some average team. However, they are yet to be tested in away conditions. We should judge them after their away tour of South Africa and England next year.

 

[Sachin136]

How many series did South Africa lost at home in same period??

3 lost and 3 drawn.

 

[joly]

Bowling is top notch in all conditions,Batting is vulnerable and Slip catching is horrible

 

[joly]

They are the current #1 ranked Test team.


If they do well in South Africa, they will be clearly the best... however I'm seeing claims on other threads of this team being the greatest of all time which is rather puzzling.

Not even the best 3 Indian test team, forget best team

 

[Adil_94]

if the world consists of the subcontinent then yeah ������rby rby

 

[thehub]

No, not at all.

Very good in Asia. Very, very good in Asia. Their combination of spin with reverse swing bowled by fast bowlers works well on low bounce wickets.

But South Africa has lost only 1 away series in TEN YEARS.

India has lost its last series away in Australia, England and South Africa.

Until they rectify their inability to avoid defeat in alien conditions, they cannot be considered to be a competitive Test team.

You need to be first good at home to call yourself the best team in the world. One of the worst teams at home going by stats in last 10 yrs. so no way SA can be called best in the world.

 

[Ozymandiasza]

You need to be first good at home to call yourself the best team in the world. One of the worst teams at home going by stats in last 10 yrs. so no way SA can be called best in the world.

Being 4th is the 'one of the worst'?

Combining home, away and neutral, South Africa has been the best test team in the last 10 years by some margin.

 

[Coconut]

Yup, they r easily the best test team atm.

Yadav, Shami and bhuvi r easily the top 3 fast bowlers in Asia, Ashwin is the best spinner in the world, Ash-Jaddu is the 2nd most deadliest combo in the world after STARC-HAZ combo and most importantly India's top 5 is by far the best top 5 in the world.

Currently THEY R undoubtedly the best test team in the world and has the potential to become one of the greatest test team of all time.

 

[Coconut]

Being 4th is the 'one of the worst'?

Combining home, away and neutral, South Africa has been the best test team in the last 10 years by some margin.

No team should be taken too seriously if they regularly get hammered at home.

 

[Ozymandiasza]

No team should be taken too seriously if they regularly get hammered at home.

Remind me again when India hammered us at home?

No team should be taken too seriously if they hardly ever win away from home. Home track bullies, I believe is the term.

 

[Sachin136]

Remind me again when India hammered us?

No team should be taken too seriously if they hardly ever win away from home. Home track bullies, I believe is the term.

What does that have to do with South Africa being relatively weak at home?

India won in WI, SL, had 2 drawn matches and came close to winning one in Australia, had one drawn match and came close to winning one in New Zealand, and almost won another match in South Africa. That's much better than how South Africa did in India.

 

[Ozymandiasza]

Wow, SL and WI. Well done.

Pity coming close doesn't mean win, hey?

 

[aloo paratha]

What does that have to do with South Africa being relatively weak at home?

India won in WI, SL, had 2 drawn matches and came close to winning one in Australia, had one drawn match and came close to winning one in New Zealand, and almost won another match in South Africa. That's much better than how South Africa did in India.

Because at least they don't make green tracks like India make square turners from day 1

 

[Sachin136]

Wow, SL and WI. Well done.

Pity coming close doesn't mean win, hey?

England and Pakistan couldn't win in WI and Australia got whitewashed in SL. Why do they not count but when South Africa wins in England or Australia in similar conditions, they're the best team in the world?

At least coming close is better than what South Africa did in India.

 

[Sachin136]

Because at least they don't make green tracks like India make square turners from day 1

In this entire home season, India produced 2 turners.

They don't make green tracks? England, New Zealand and South Africa have produced very difficult pitches for the visiting team recently. Surely as a Pakistani fan you remember their series with New Zealand?

 

[Ozymandiasza]

England and Pakistan couldn't win in WI and Australia got whitewashed in SL. Why do they not count but when South Africa wins in England or Australia in similar conditions, they're the best team in the world?

At least coming close is better than what South Africa did in India.

Because they've only lost one away series and it was against India at home when Amla captained. It really isn't rocket science.

 

[CanadianG00se]

Because they've only lost one away series and it was against India at home when Amla captained. It really isn't rocket science.

Even if Faf was captain of that series, South Africa would've still got the phainty. South African team is totally inept of playing spin on turning pitches. Even a Ranji team would beat this South African team on rank turner.

 

[aloo paratha]

In this entire home season, India produced 2 turners.

They don't make green tracks? England, New Zealand and South Africa have produced very difficult pitches for the visiting team recently. Surely as a Pakistani fan you remember their series with New Zealand?

I was talking in particular about South Africa, and how you guys produce unplayable pitches for your series with SA in order to beat them.

 

[CanadianG00se]

I was talking in particular about South Africa, and how you guys produce unplayable pitches for your series with SA in order to beat them.

South Africa are equally guilty of producing green mambas too. But i see no one complaining then. I see people see green mambas as 'Sporting Wicket' and rank turner as disgrace.

 

[aloo paratha]

South Africa are equally guilty of producing green mambas too. But i see no one complaining then. I see people see green mambas as 'Sporting Wicket' and rank turner as disgrace.

When's the last time SA produced a green track?? I don't recall one in the last 2-3 years.

 

[Bilal7]

No. They're not a better team than South Africa, England, Australia and Pakistan. There is no clear-cut 'best' team at the moment. The top five or six teams all have their strengths and weaknesses.

 

[msb314]

This Indian team is definately not just some average team. However, they are yet to be tested in away conditions. We should judge them after their away tour of South Africa and England next year.

Their success came on dustbowls of India - that does not convince me they are a top Test team. Atleast not yet.

As you said - if they do well in away conditions I will certainly rank them higher but as of yet they are average.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Yes. We are best at home.

 

[squarecut]

The ICC ranking system determines who stands where. Performance over three years period and also strength of the opposition is taken into consideration while awarding points for winning against them. Teams get more point for winning against top teams than for winning against lower ranked team. The details are explained in ICC site.

One cannot become number one just by defeating lower ranked teams. One needs to consistenly beat high ranked teams to become number 1. India is number 1 because they have beaten all teams and they hold bilateral rubbers against all the opponents. Rules are same for all teams. Other teams too can become number one if they are able to perform that way.

To say that they are good only at home and poor abroad means nothing. If other teams lose in India then it means that other teams too are poor abroad when facing India. The fact that they are ranked lower means their record is not all that great even in their own backyard. So all things considered, Indian team is number one at the moment. Sour grapes and all that stuff does not alter the fact.

 

[thehub]

Yes. Playing in SL is like playing at home for some. but SA playing in Aus is playing overseas.

 

[silentkiller187]

Come to the UAE and try and win on the deadest of dead wickets, in a near empty stadium for 4 out of 5 d

 

[Coconut]

Yes. We are best at home.

Well India has already beaten England in England, NZ in NZ. THEY have also drawn against saffers and almost won the series in Australia (but couldn't do so due to biased umpiring). Can u name a single Asian team other that India that has won a single test against Australia in Australia in last 15/20 years?

None of the other Asian teams can even dream of drawing a test against Australia in Australia whereas India was almost on he verge of winning the series. INDIA is by far the best Asian team in last two decades and currently the best test team in the world.

 

[thehub]

No. They're not a better team than South Africa, England, Australia and Pakistan. There is no clear-cut 'best' team at the moment. The top five or six teams all have their strengths and weaknesses.

Lol at slipping in Pak there.

 

[Coconut]

Lol at slipping in Pak there.

It's embarrassing, isn't it? Comparing a no 6 team with the the no 1 team in the world. Why should we leave out Lanka and windies then?

 

[pakistan cricket fan]

England and Pakistan couldn't win in WI and Australia got whitewashed in SL. Why do they not count but when South Africa wins in England or Australia in similar conditions, they're the best team in the world?

At least coming close is better than what South Africa did in India.

I think you are wrong Pakistan did win vs WI in WI 1 - 2.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Yes relatively they are the best. I am expecting Pujara to do well in next overseas tours which will lead to India doing well. The guy is one of the most valuable player (for one's respective team) in cricket today. Whenever he performs India win/draw series. He didnt perform overseas last time and India lost.

 

[Hasan123]

I think they are the best test team in the world. To cement it they just perform overseas though.

India are underated in tests and ovverated in odis.

 

[Sachin136]

I think you are wrong Pakistan did win vs WI in WI 1 - 2.

Yes, I meant couldn't win all matches (and England couldn't even win the series).

 

[CanadianG00se]

Their success came on dustbowls of India - that does not convince me they are a top Test team. Atleast not yet.

As you said - if they do well in away conditions I will certainly rank them higher but as of yet they are average.

I never claimed them to be the best team, i just dont agree with you calling them 'average team'. An average team don't get to number #1 ranking.

 

[pakistan cricket fan]

Yes, I meant couldn't win all matches (and England couldn't even win the series).

Ok then you are right.

 

[thehub]

It's embarrassing, isn't it? Comparing a no 6 team with the the no 1 team in the world. Why should we leave out Lanka and windies then?

He is someone who seriously feels Pak is the best team in the world. Can't help it.

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

They are a very good team in Asia (there's no debate on that) however, the jury's out on their away credentials and unless and until they hold their own in alien swinging / seaming track I believe they cannot entirely claim they're the best in the world.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Yes, if the world equates to India and Sri Lanka. While their bowling has improved, I don't see it as good enough to force results overseas barring NZ.

 

[Shutdown Corner]

They are a very good team in Asia (there's no debate on that) however, the jury's out on their away credentials and unless and until they hold their own in alien swinging / seaming track I believe they cannot entirely claim they're the best in the world.

That should apply to England, South Africa, and Australia to win on rank turners. ENG got flat tracks and still couldnt compete.

 

[The_Odd_One]

Yes, the most settled team with most of the players hitting their peaks.

Australia is all about Smith and SA has no world class test batsman anymore. England's entire middle order is Joe Root.

India is the most balanced team right now.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Well India has already beaten England in England, NZ in NZ. THEY have also drawn against saffers and almost won the series in Australia (but couldn't do so due to biased umpiring). Can u name a single Asian team other that India that has won a single test against Australia in Australia in last 15/20 years?

None of the other Asian teams can even dream of drawing a test against Australia in Australia whereas India was almost on he verge of winning the series. INDIA is by far the best Asian team in last two decades and currently the best test team in the world.

Meh read the above posts again and then come again. We were comparing South Africa's and India's away records.