India is becoming the new Australia of the 2000s

[Ab Fan]

Since 2016, India have won every ODI series except the one in England. The series win includes win in Aus, SA, WI and SL.

And they won it with Jadhav, Karthik, Rayudu and DHoni.

 

[Sachin136]

Since 2016, India have won every ODI series except the one in England. The series win includes win in Aus, SA, WI and SL.

And they won it with Jadhav, Karthik, Rayudu and DHoni.

Jadhav is not a bad player. He just struggles with injuries.

 

[Pakhs]

Inida will need to win 3 WCs in a row for that and also not lose 4-1 to England.

 

[Pakhs]

Since 2016, India have won every ODI series except the one in England. The series win includes win in Aus, SA, WI and SL.

And they won it with Jadhav, Karthik, Rayudu and DHoni.

And guess what its England who have been the best side since the last WC.

 

[MesonK]

No. Other teams are going down.

 

[Ab Fan]

And guess what its England who have been the best side since the last WC.

England are good but what exactly have they won in ODIs in Asia?

 

[Ab Fan]

Jadhav is not a bad player. He just struggles with injuries.

I personally feel even Karthik is quite a capable finisher. If Dhoni had got out with 30-40 runs left, Karthik would have sealed the win.

 

[JattMaula]

England are good but what exactly have they won in ODIs in Asia?

Oh I hope pitches slow down in WC in later stages. England's panic will be epic.

 

[Shafi]

Current Indian team has atleast 3 batting great than any of our batsmen in cricketing era.

 

[ind_win]

hyperbole, let India win in SA.
Let India win another WC.

Then this thread becomes relevant.

Ind are doing good but not at that level as the thread title says.

 

[Hasan123]

India are the best test team but in LO they have a big weakness in the middle order which will be exposed at the WC. I think England are the best ODI team in the world.

 

[dani2k]

Nice joke. Short term, let us see how we perform against NZ, long term : how we perform in the WC and the next test series against Eng, NZ and SA as these teams are the strongest at home. If all these are in India's favor then we may have a case.

Till then, one series at a time and try to put the best foot forward.

 

[Pakhs]

England are good but what exactly have they won in ODIs in Asia?

The WC is in England so it doesnt matter at present at all. Also wickets for ODIs are standardised everywhere in the world now accept UAE which is because its not a home board of top 8 regular sides.

They do have a slight weakness against quality spin which may be exposed in the later part of the WC with wickets getting tired but lets see.

 

[Rahul1]

The WC is in England so it doesnt matter at present at all. Also wickets for ODIs are standardised everywhere in the world now accept UAE which is because its not a home board of top 8 regular sides.

They do have a slight weakness against quality spin which may be exposed in the later part of the WC with wickets getting tired but lets see.

Cute. But would you say the same thing if the world cup was in India and someone asked the same question about India's performance away from Asia? Your response would probably be something like "lol what a pathetic team India is".

 

[Rahul1]

The WC is in England so it doesnt matter at present at all. Also wickets for ODIs are standardised everywhere in the world now accept UAE which is because its not a home board of top 8 regular sides.

They do have a slight weakness against quality spin which may be exposed in the later part of the WC with wickets getting tired but lets see.

Cute. But would you say the same thing if the world cup was in India and someone asked the same question about India's performance away from Asia? Your response would probably be something like "lol what a pathetic team India is".

 

[Ab Fan]

The WC is in England so it doesnt matter at present at all. Also wickets for ODIs are standardised everywhere in the world now accept UAE which is because its not a home board of top 8 regular sides.

They do have a slight weakness against quality spin which may be exposed in the later part of the WC with wickets getting tired but lets see.

England have played two Champions Trophy at home this decade as well. One was won by us and the other was won by our beloved Padosis, ie, you.

Apart from these two, the two WC matches have been won by home countries. This means England more often than not have failed to turn it on even after being favourites and being utilizing home conditions. So, we can't exactly buy this statement that England are the best team in the world unless they win a big ICC tournament or win ODI series in alien conditions.

India, on other hand, have won ODI series in SA,WI,SL and Australia. So, as many as four countries and dominated everyone at home since 2016.

 

[ezhil]

Aus won the world cup 99 with their captain's grit and some luck .they peaked after the cup.from 99-2003 they won almost everything they played except Ind test series .so India r not in the same bracket

 

[Pakhs]

England have played two Champions Trophy at home this decade as well. One was won by us and the other was won by our beloved Padosis, ie, you.

Apart from these two, the two WC matches have been won by home countries. This means England more often than not have failed to turn it on even after being favourites and being utilizing home conditions. So, we can't exactly buy this statement that England are the best team in the world unless they win a big ICC tournament or win ODI series in alien conditions.

India, on other hand, have won ODI series in SA,WI,SL and Australia. So, as many as four countries and dominated everyone at home since 2016.

Your first statement is correct but this time they are clear favorites according to most pundits. India have Won away series in most countries they played in accept England. Because only England currently is better specially considering WC is in England. Dont forget India actually played some good ODIs game against England but they still out gunned them and won. It was not as if India didnt play well and likely to do any better.

As I said the only weakness England have compared to India is that they dont play quality spin as well. But I am not sure if it will come in to play.

 

[CricFan2012]

They are quite clearly the most balanced and powerful side in world cricket at the moment.

Rohit
Dhawan
Kohli
Dhoni
Bumrah
Shami
Kuldeep

Seven players that can walk into any side at the moment, while Hardik and chahal are almost getting there.

As a Pakistani fan I'm jealous at the same time but also respect the hard work the Indian cricketers put into their game.

India really do have an offside chance of defeating England in the final of the World Cup. Even though this team is powerful, England batsman will be scoring 350-400 in those roads every other game.

 

[Joseph Gomes]

Since 2016, India have won every ODI series except the one in England. The series win includes win in Aus, SA, WI and SL.

And they won it with Jadhav, Karthik, Rayudu and DHoni.

Not surprising given India has possibly the greatest top order in ODI history.

 

[mystical man]

As an Indian supporter I can say no and the captain of the indian team kohli himself acknowledged that the middle order is weak and till that is covered we cannot match Australia of the 2000s

 

[CricFan2012]

As an Indian supporter I can say no and the captain of the indian team kohli himself acknowledged that the middle order is weak and till that is covered we cannot match Australia of the 2000s

Dhoni has had an alright 2019, albeit its flawed as he's been dropped like 2-3 times across his innings, but he's showing that he wants to score at a quicker pace.

Having the best top 3 in the world and then a performing dhoni pretty much covers the middle order, and even then when the middle order performs it will be a bonus.

 

[Abdullah719]

Not yet.

 

[sweep_shot]

There were only two invincible teams - Windies from 80's and Aussies from 2000's.

India hasn't reached that level yet.

 

[austerlitz]

Need an actual middle order.

 

[Madplayer]

India is Asia's best bet to reach the level of those 2 great teams. However, the thing that seperates those two teams from other talented teams is their mental strength and confidence to win from any situation. Relentless in their approach, ruthless in attitude and resilient in moments of setbacks.

 

[Realromeo]

Australia had Damian Martyn, Andrew Symonds, Lehman and Bevan in the middle order. We had Pandya, Jadeja, Shankar and DK lol

 

[Madplayer]

Australia had Damian Martyn, Andrew Symonds, Lehman and Bevan in the middle order. We had Pandya, Jadeja, Shankar and DK lol

Michael Clarke too. Every single one of them capable of winning a match on their own.

 

[Dingolfy]

India is Asia's best bet to reach the level of those 2 great teams. However, the thing that seperates those two teams from other talented teams is their mental strength and confidence to win from any situation. Relentless in their approach, ruthless in attitude and resilient in moments of setbacks.

Spot on. We desis are still soft and need to get more ruthless and mentally strong to even reach near what 2000’s Aussie team was.

 

[TNAmarkFromIndia]

If only this team had a middle order like Yuvraj, Dhoni and Raina at their peak.

 

[QalandarFan]

There were only two invincible teams - Windies from 80's and Aussies from 2000's.

India hasn't reached that level yet.

No team will ever reach that level of dominance again. Those teams were just freakish. Not to educated on the Windies team of the 80's. But the Aussies of 2000's had players outside their 15-20 top picks that would easily walk into every other team in the world. Such was the insane depth chart in the country for 20 odd years. A ferocious team was the Aussie's of 2000's that should never be compared to any other team in the world as it is an insult to their dominance.

 

[Mean&Green]

That 2000s Australia is still around actually cause they might be in another World Cup final which pisses me off I hope against hope it’s either newzeland or england who will lift the trophy in sha allah

 

[Usman Chadda]

Spot on. We desis are still soft and need to get more ruthless and mentally strong to even reach near what 2000’s Aussie team was.

Not just about mental strength. Besides Sharma and Kohli, your batting lacked in quality.

You are not winning WCs with the likes of KL Rahul, Karthik or Pandya in your batting line-up.

 

[marlonbrowndo]

Nope not even close

2 years later I stand corrected

 

[Dingolfy]

Not just about mental strength. Besides Sharma and Kohli, your batting lacked in quality.

You are not winning WCs with the likes of KL Rahul, Karthik or Pandya in your batting line-up.

They beat every other team in the tourney other than England at their own home. They are enough for current ODI pattas. Kiwis had even worse batting than us and they are now in their second consecutive WC final.

 

[hur rizvi]

This is not even best ever team from Asia

 

[Abdullah719]

India's dominant home run in 2010s only behind mighty Aussies of 2000s, but overseas performance has worsened

"There are some big tournaments coming up. But ultimately, if I fast forward it, the Indian Test tour in about three or four years time, to me that's the ultimate. We will judge ourselves on whether we're a great cricket team if we beat India in India" - These were the words of Justin Langer in his first press conference as Australia's head coach, last year, and had re-expressed the desire earlier in November following India's clean sweep against South Africa at home.

But why so?

37 wins in 50 matches with just four defeats. 16 wins out of the total 18 series played which includes a present streak of 12 unbeaten contests. As the decade nears its end, Team India have capped off the period with best-ever home record in Tests clearly outlining the margin of difficulty in beating India in India. However, their overseas ventures through the decade have largely been the same, albeit a downfall compared to their performance in the 2000s. But solely riding on their performance in the home stretch, India have finished the decade with a figure that only stands behind The Australian team of 2000s and the formidable Windies of the 1980s.

2010s, India’s best decade at home

In the last three decades, India have lost just four rubbers at home out of the total 48 series played with the equation standing simple - only a solitary loss per decade. And in this decade, it came against England, in 2012, which was their first-ever Test series win in India since 1984-85. Overall, India won 37 matches off the total 50 at home. While the win percentage has improved immensely for India compared to their 21 wins in 47 matches in 2000s, India have reduced their number of defeats to exactly half. To further proof India's home dominance in this decade, India won almost the same number of matches at home (38) and lost thrice as many matches (13) between 1990 and 2009 as compared to their numbers in this decade.

[table=class:grid][tr][td]Decade[/td][td]Matches[/td][td]Win[/td][td]Loss[/td][td]Tie[/td][td]Draw[/td][td]Win %[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]1950-1959[/td][td]25[/td][td]6[/td][td]8[/td][td]0[/td][td]11[/td][td]24.00[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]1960-1969[/td][td]36[/td][td]6[/td][td]8[/td][td]0[/td][td]22[/td][td]16.67[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]1970-1979[/td][td]34[/td][td]11[/td][td]7[/td][td]0[/td][td]16[/td][td]32.35[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]1980-1989[/td][td]42[/td][td]8[/td][td]9[/td][td]1[/td][td]24[/td][td]19.05[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]1990-1999[/td][td]30[/td][td]17[/td][td]5[/td][td]0[/td][td]8[/td][td]56.67[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]2000-2009[/td][td]47[/td][td]21[/td][td]8[/td][td]0[/td][td]18[/td][td]44.68[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]2010-2019[/td][td]50[/td][td]37[/td][td]4[/td][td]0[/td][td]9[/td][td]74.00[/td][/tr][/table]

If you look at India's decade-wise record, the period of 50s, 60s and 80s witnessed more defeats than victories on home turf. The 1970s was the only exception as India won 11 and lost seven in 34 games, the era that saw the quartet of Bhagwat Chandrasekhar, Erapali Prasanna, Bishan Singh Bedi, and Srinivas Venkatraghavan at their peak. Towards the end of the previous century, India picked up the winning rhythm at home. In fact, in the 1990s, India were unbeaten in any bilateral series, although both West Indies and Pakistan had come close. At the turn of the millennium, when India were going through a tough phase in the sport, Hansie Cronje's South Africa had stunned the hosts 2-0 in February 2000, which was India's first defeat at home since 1986/87. They then lost 2-1 to the mighty Aussie side in their 2004/05 tour. Meanwhile, Pakistan (2005), England (2006) and South Africa (2008) all came close to scripting an upset.

The Indian team, then under MS Dhoni, started this decade against Graeme Smith's dominating South African side and managed to end the series in a draw with a stunning comeback win at the Eden Gardens. India's only defeat in the decade came in 2012, when Alastair Cook's England cleverly countered the spin attack to claim a 2-1 series win. Since then, India have won all 12 Test series at home, winning 28 off 34 games and losing only one - against Australia in Pune in 2017. The astounding and record-breaking run also includes a streak of 19 Test wins under the captaincy of Virat Kohli - the most under any Indian skipper.

Spin, the primary reason behind India’s dominance

Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja have played the most influential role in India's grand home run through the decade. In fact, India's rise in dominance have been directly proportional to their rise in formidability in Test circuit. Between 2010 and 2019, the pair took 411 wicket between themselves at an average of 24.109 with 28 five-wicket hauls and seven ten-fers. Ashwin stands as the highest wicket-taker for India in the decade with 254 scalps in 43 matches at 22.80, followed by Jadeja who bagged 157 wickets at 21.06 in 33 matches.

Overall, Indian spinners averaged 25.40 in this decade while picking 598 wickets - the most they have bagged in a decade at their best-ever average.

However, the same decade witnessed a change in responsibility from a spin-dominated attack (in terms of bowling numbers) to a pace-dominated attack.

All through Dhoni's Test captaincy untill a sudden retirement in 2014 and the first half of Kohli's captaincy, spin remained India's potent weapon when it came to bowling. The spinners bagged 759 wickets in 85 matches at an average of 29.72 and a strike rate of 63.2 between January 2010 to December 2017. The numbers are in fact the best for any spin attack within the time frame. And at home, the spinners picked 524 wickets in 42 matches between 2010 and 2017 at an average of 25.73 and a strike rate of 59.3 - again, the best for any spin attack (barring the strike rate which was a tad behind Sri Lanka's). The spinners alone amounted to 70.6 per cent of the total wickets India picked at home in that time frame. Ashwin and Jadeja shared more than half of the total wickets the spinners mounted and were in fact responsible for 25 wins off the total 33 Tests the two played together. India lost just one Test (against Australia in Pune in 2017) when both Ashwin and Jadeja featued in the playing XI at home.

On the other hand, the pacers, between 2010 and 2017, managed to pick 604 wickets for India in 85 matches, averaging 36.15 and having a strike rate of 64. Only Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and West Indies had more average than Indian pacers while their strike rate stood sixth among the 10 Test-playing nations. At home, the pace unit picked 218 wickets in 42 matches at 32.55 with a strike rate of 63.9. Only Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe stood behind India on that list. The pacers amounted to 29.38 per cent of the total wickets India picked at home.

With the start of India's overseas journey in 2018, the spinners came less in handy giving opportunity for the pacers to break away from the shackles of playing as a second fiddle in the bowling attack. While the spinners managed 128 wickets in the 22 matches they played in the last two years, averaging 26.46 (best among nations who have played more than 5 matches) with a strike rate of 56.6 (second among nations who have played more than 5 matches), the pacers finished with 274 wickets in 22 matches at an average of 20.74 (best nations who have played more than 5 matches) and a strike rate of 41.8 (best in the last two years). The percentage share of total wickets suddenly stood 31.84 for spinners and 68.15 for the pacers.

Interestingly, the story remained the same even on home turf. The spinners were as effective as they wore previously, but the pacers were better than ever that Indian cricket witnessed in its rich history. The spinners bagged 74 wickets in eight matches at home in the last two years at an average of 23.05 (best) and strike rate of 47.05 (also, best), while the pace unit picked 80 wickets in seven matches at an ever-impressive average of 15.30 and a strike rate of 29.8 (best). Such was the dominance of the pace attack that the pair of Ashwin and Jadeja had gone wicketless in India's maiden pick-ball Test match, against Bangladesh, played in Kolkata.

But is India's best home run, the best-ever in world cricket?

Among teams who have played more than 20 Tests at home in a decade over the last 70 years, India's current run of 37 wins in 50 matches stands only behind the mighty Australian side of the 2000s which was led by Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting. They had won 45 of their total 59 Tests they played, while losing only five.

Teams with best win percentage at home in a decade (min 20 games)

[table=class:grid][tr][td]Team[/td][td]Decade[/td][td]Matches[/td][td]Win[/td][td]Loss[/td][td]Win %[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Australia[/td][td]2000-2009[/td][td]59[/td][td]45[/td][td]5[/td][td]76.27[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]India[/td][td]2010-2019[/td][td]50[/td][td]37[/td][td]4[/td][td]74[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Australia[/td][td]2010-2019[/td][td]52[/td][td]34[/td][td]9[/td][td]65.38[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]South Africa[/td][td]2010-2019[/td][td]47[/td][td]30[/td][td]11[/td][td]63.83[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]England[/td][td]2010-2019[/td][td]67[/td][td]41[/td][td]16[/td][td]61.19[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Australia[/td][td]1990-1999[/td][td]56[/td][td]34[/td][td]8[/td][td]60.71[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Australia[/td][td]1950-1959[/td][td]25[/td][td]15[/td][td]7[/td][td]60[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]WI[/td][td]1980-1989[/td][td]30[/td][td]18[/td][td]1[/td][td]60[/td][/tr][/table]

But besides an almost similar win percentage in terms of matches and India standing a tad ahead in terms of win-loss record at home in terms of series, the Indian team between 2010 to 2019 shared a lesser batting average (35.84) than the Australians of the 2000s (47.67). However, the Indian bowling attack averaged better (26.64) than the Aussie unit (28.35).

Overseas script detoriates

India managed to win only 19 overseas Tests of the total 57 they played in this decade which leaves their win percentage as 33.3, lower than what they had achieved in the previous decade. Between 2000 and 2009, India had won 23 of 63 Tests abroad, recording a win percentage of 36.5. In fact, India's overseas script of 2000s, has been their best ever and marked a massive improvement following a victory in only one Test match in 1990s of the total 39 games. Their previous best was in the 70s when they had won six matches of total 30 played.

India's overseas record each decade

[table=class:grid][tr][td]Decade[/td][td]Matches[/td][td]Win[/td][td]Loss[/td][td]N/R[/td][td]Draw[/td][td]W/L[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]2000-2009[/td][td]56[/td][td]19[/td][td]19[/td][td]0[/td][td]18[/td][td]1[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]2010-2019[/td][td]57[/td][td]19[/td][td]25[/td][td]0[/td][td]13[/td][td]0.76[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]1990-1999[/td][td]39[/td][td]1[/td][td]15[/td][td]0[/td][td]23[/td][td]0.066[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]1981-1989[/td][td]39[/td][td]3[/td][td]12[/td][td]0[/td][td]24[/td][td]0.25[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]1971-1979[/td][td]30[/td][td]6[/td][td]12[/td][td]0[/td][td]12[/td][td]0.5[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]1962-1968[/td][td]16[/td][td]3[/td][td]13[/td][td]0[/td][td]0[/td][td]0.23[/td][/tr][/table]

Further dissecting India's performance abroad in this decade, the team played 36 series between 2010 and 2019, and won only seven contests - two were against Sri Lanka and three against West Indies. Their only notable win was the one in Australia last January, while they had come close against South Africa in 2010/10 tour. Of the remaining 11, three ended in a draw and eight in defeats. And of the total 34 matches played in SENA nations, India won only six matches. Two series ended in a whitewashed - against England and Australia - both in 2011.

Compared to their performance in the 2000s, India also won seven series overseas, but it comprises a lot many notable wins. They had come close to victories in series against England in 2002 and against Australia in 2003/04 tour before sealing a historic win in Pakistan in 2004 which was their first overseas series win in more than a decade. They then defeated England in 2007, their first ever since 1986, before rain helped them to take away the series against New Zealand in 2009, a first for India in New Zealand in 41 years.

India, overall, land third in all-time list

Despite a poor show overseas, and riding solely on the virtue of their dominance on home turf, India's performance in this decade is the third-best ever considering any team who has played more than 50 matches in a decade. With 56 wins in 107 matches and registering a win percentage of 52.33, India's performance in the 2010s is only bettered by Australia team of the 2000s and the Windies side of the 1980s.

Teams with best win percentage in a decade (min 10 games)

[table=class:grid][tr][td]Team[/td][td]Decade[/td][td]Matches[/td][td]Win[/td][td]Loss[/td][td]N/R[/td][td]Tie[/td][td]Win %[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Australia[/td][td]2000-2009[/td][td]115[/td][td]79[/td][td]18[/td][td]0[/td][td]18[/td][td]68.695652[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]West Indies[/td][td]1980-1989[/td][td]82[/td][td]43[/td][td]8[/td][td]0[/td][td]31[/td][td]52.439024[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]India[/td][td]2010-2019[/td][td]107[/td][td]56[/td][td]29[/td][td]0[/td][td]22[/td][td]52.336449[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Australia[/td][td]1950-1959[/td][td]57[/td][td]29[/td][td]12[/td][td]0[/td][td]16[/td][td]50.877193[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Australia[/td][td]1990-1999[/td][td]108[/td][td]54[/td][td]25[/td][td]0[/td][td]29[/td][td]50[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Australia[/td][td]2010-2019[/td][td]112[/td][td]56[/td][td]38[/td][td]0[/td][td]17[/td][td]50[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]South Africa[/td][td]2010-2019[/td][td]89[/td][td]44[/td][td]25[/td][td]0[/td][td]20[/td][td]49.438202[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]South Africa[/td][td]2000-2009[/td][td]108[/td][td]53[/td][td]32[/td][td]0[/td][td]23[/td][td]49.074074[/td][/tr][/table]

Most dominant wins

To figure out a team's dominance in a decade, their wins have been categorised into - innings victories, win by 150-plus runs and win by 8 or more wickets. Out of India's 37 wins in this decade at home, 16 were by an innings, seven were by 150-plus runs and five by a margin of eight or more wickets. This means 56 per cent of India's home victories were dominant wins. And overall speaking, 27 out of India's 56 wins in this decade were by an innings, 16 by a margin of 15 runs or more and eight by a margin of eight or more wickets. This implies 47.66 per cent of India's win in this decade were dominant wins.

Most dominant team at home

[table=class:grid][tr][td]Team[/td][td]Decade[/td][td]Matches[/td][td]Win[/td][td]Innings Wins[/td][td]150+ runs[/td][td]8+ wickets[/td][td]Dominant win %[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Australia[/td][td]2000-2009[/td][td]59[/td][td]45[/td][td]13[/td][td]12[/td][td]9[/td][td]57.63%[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]India[/td][td]2010-2019[/td][td]50[/td][td]37[/td][td]16[/td][td]7[/td][td]5[/td][td]56.00%[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]South Africa[/td][td]2010-2019[/td][td]47[/td][td]30[/td][td]10[/td][td]9[/td][td]5[/td][td]51.06%[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]West Indies[/td][td]1980-1989[/td][td]30[/td][td]18[/td][td]3[/td][td]3[/td][td]8[/td][td]46.67%[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]England[/td][td]2010-2019[/td][td]67[/td][td]41[/td][td]12[/td][td]12[/td][td]6[/td][td]44.78%[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Australia[/td][td]1990-1999[/td][td]56[/td][td]34[/td][td]8[/td][td]10[/td][td]7[/td][td]44.64%[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Australia[/td][td]2010-2019[/td][td]51[/td][td]33[/td][td]8[/td][td]11[/td][td]3[/td][td]43.14%[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Australia[/td][td]1950-1959[/td][td]25[/td][td]15[/td][td]3[/td][td]2[/td][td]4[/td][td]36.00%[/td][/tr][/table]

In terms of home percentage, India's figure stands only behind the Aussie team of the 2000s who managed to record a dominant win percentage of 57.63 after recording 34 such victories. However, when the overall numbers are considered, India's figure of 47.66 per cent of dominant wins in this decade are the best for any team topping the Australian side of 2000s (37.39) and the Windies team of 1980s (42.68).

Most dominant team (overall)

[table=class:grid][tr][td]Team[/td][td]Decade[/td][td]Matches[/td][td]Win[/td][td]Innings Wins[/td][td]150+ runs[/td][td]8+ wickets[/td][td]Dominant win %[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]India[/td][td]2010-2019[/td][td]107[/td][td]56[/td][td]27[/td][td]16[/td][td]8[/td][td]47.66[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]West Indies[/td][td]1980-1989[/td][td]82[/td][td]43[/td][td]11[/td][td]9[/td][td]15[/td][td]42.68[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Australia[/td][td]2010-2019[/td][td]112[/td][td]56[/td][td]15[/td][td]21[/td][td]2[/td][td]33.9[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Australia[/td][td]2000-2009[/td][td]115[/td][td]79[/td][td]20[/td][td]18[/td][td]1[/td][td]37.39[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Australia[/td][td]1990-1999[/td][td]108[/td][td]54[/td][td]14[/td][td]15[/td][td]9[/td][td]35.18[/td][/tr][/table]

India hence wrapped up a dominant 2010 in Test cricket and would now like to carry forward this momentum in the 2020s. With the likes of Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara and the prized pace attack still to continue through the next decade, India in 2020s will be a pleasure to watch. The only challenge for them would be to improve their overseas script.

https://www.indiatvnews.com/sports/...rseas-performance-virat-kohli-ms-dhoni-574592

 

[Ronaldo7]

So their stats have been inflated due to their exploits at home.

Not the greatest team.

 

[jnaveen1980]

India has to prove a lot before talking about ATG status. My bare minimum requirement is dominating opposition home and away at worse draw overseas. I don't say India can't. They can with everyone fully fit.NZ in NZ is very very tough to beat. England in ENgland not hard to beat the current ones. Even in the past India has tasted success there quiet a few times. SA in SA curretn team is very much possible. I expect NZ series to be really tough. INdia always gets one bad session in NZ and the series is over. Generally the one bad session is one of thse first day pitch where even average bowlers wreak havoc. Australia dominated the world with just 2 killer bowlers. Mcgrath was mostly operating between 130 and 135 kph during his peak. Yet he time after time delivered the good with repeatable action. Having a world class top 7 didn't hurt them either. India has more bowlers at their arsenal if not the same quality. But batting is no match. Indian batting has to prove a lot.They let INdia down in England/SA. Also somewhat let them down in OZ.

 

[Manunited18]

Let's not get carried away

 

[Realromeo]

Pakistan, Sri Lanka and South Africa aren't what they used to be. Current Indian ODI team will be heavily challenged by yesteryear of Pakistan, Sri Lanka and South Africa who we played often. Especially in tons of Sharjah, Coca Cola and Independence cups and so on.

 

[TNAmarkFromIndia]

Pakistan, Sri Lanka and South Africa aren't what they used to be. Current Indian ODI team will be heavily challenged by yesteryear of Pakistan, Sri Lanka and South Africa who we played often. Especially in tons of Sharjah, Coca Cola and Independence cups and so on.

India's batting isn't what it used to be either. Everyone knows how dependent they are on the top 3 firing.

 

[Firebat]

This is the best Indian team ever… Fitter & have variety: Clive Lloyd

Q: Would you consider this India side as the best ever?

A: They are a much better side because they have variety, the players are fitter and more professional... Yeah I would think so... Don’t forget they came from behind most times in Australia and that was excellent. Judging by their performances from that series you can say that this is the best Indian team ever.

Q: Does the current crop of Indian fast bowlers come as a surprise?

A: India have a better crop of fast bowlers than they had earlier and that’s because of the MRF Centre in Chennai. They have developed the culture of bringing in fast bowlers there and it’s been a success. Indian cricketers are much fitter now than they were before. It shows in their movements on the field.

Q: How would you rate Jasprit Bumrah?

A: Oh yes... He’s thinking all the time and can surprise you any time. He can bowl the vicious bouncer, he can get the ball to swing around, he bowls the slower one... That is why India are where they are at the moment. He can provide breakthroughs at a time when the side is struggling.

https://www.telegraphindia.com/spor...r-fitter-have-variety-clive-lloyd/cid/1810434

 

[Hasan123]

India are a top team across formats without a doubt. They have unreal depth in all facets. The way the BCCI has turned around India's domestic cricket and ability to produce quality and intelligent cricketers with personality and confidence is impressive. I admire the BCCI for that.

 

[Extra_Cover]

They are not Australia of 2000s.

 

[Srtfan]

India is becoming new South Africa of 2000.

 

[Ab Fan]

Not yet..

 

[MP2011]

India is becoming new South Africa of 2000.

This. We're kings of bilateral series, duds in tourneys.

 

[Majid Khan]

There’s one point in particular that Clive Lloyd makes about the Indian team which is about fitness - it is quite apparent when you see the Indian players today they look like full time athletes and professional sportsmen with high standards of both physical and mental fitness.

This is the one thing that if you look back in the 90s era , both Australia and South Africa were leagues ahead of everyone else.

The desi teams with Pakistan and India of that era had players who looked physically and in terms of energy (or lethargy ) on the field like they might have had a paratha for breakfast and probably Donner kebab for dinner the night before. And Tendulkar/Dravid aside mentally the desi players never looked like they played with a mindset of “I want to the BEST that I can be”.

Today’s Indian team looks to have reached another level in these areas and their performances on the field are no surprise.

Pakistani players still look like part-time amateur sportsmen, when it comes to physical and mental fitness standards.

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

There’s one point in particular that Clive Lloyd makes about the Indian team which is about fitness - it is quite apparent when you see the Indian players today they look like full time athletes and professional sportsmen with high standards of both physical and mental fitness.

This is the one thing that if you look back in the 90s era , both Australia and South Africa were leagues ahead of everyone else.

The desi teams with Pakistan and India of that era had players who looked physically and in terms of energy (or lethargy ) on the field like they might have had a paratha for breakfast and probably Donner kebab for dinner the night before. And Tendulkar/Dravid aside mentally the desi players never looked like they played with a mindset of “I want to the BEST that I can be”.

Today’s Indian team looks to have reached another level in these areas and their performances on the field are no surprise.

Pakistani players still look like part-time amateur sportsmen, when it comes to physical and mental fitness standards.

The Windies team in the 70s-80s had that mindset instilled in the Kerry Packers World Series.
They got and Australian trainer, and he just transformed them. Saw it in the Fire in Babylon documentary.
Australian teams were very fit in the 90s as well.

 

[Slog]

It’s gonna be a shame and failure if India’s golden generation of limited overs cricketers fails to win a single limited overs trophy for almost a decade.

I think hands down this is the best set of 15-16 LOI players India has gathered.

I guess 30% of the current cricketers were part of the 2013 CT win at least

 

[BreadPakoda]

It’s gonna be a shame and failure if India’s golden generation of limited overs cricketers fails to win a single limited overs trophy for almost a decade.

I think hands down this is the best set of 15-16 LOI players India has gathered.

I guess 30% of the current cricketers were part of the 2013 CT win at least

I still feel India’s golden generation was the one that had Sachin, Sehwag, Gambhir, VK, Yuvraj, Dhoni, and Raina as the top 7. And they did win a World Cup.

This team doesn’t have a similar quality of mentally strong batsmen.

 

[Slog]

I still feel India’s golden generation was the one that had Sachin, Sehwag, Gambhir, VK, Yuvraj, Dhoni, and Raina as the top 7. And they did win a World Cup.

This team doesn’t have a similar quality of mentally strong batsmen.

Hmm I don’t know. Firstly Kohli was not a major part of that squad. He was up and coming but at that point I’m sure other batsmen on the bench could have given similar performance (he always had higher ceiling obv)

Sehwag and especially Gambir are clutch players who gave performances on big occasions but their ODI records have lot of flaws. I think Rohit and Dhawan have surpassed them as a pair. Raina was important cog in the side but he would probably not even make an All time second eleven for India.

Plus I think the current bench strength is significantly more.

I am in minority (and may be wrong who knows) but I think the 2007-2011 Indian test team is stronger than the current Indian test team but this ODI team has more depth than that ODI team.

As a unit they are very stacked even if they crash and burn in big knockouts. Which is why I’m saying it would be a huge failure if likes of they don’t win an ICC title under Kohli’s captaincy.

 

[BreadPakoda]

Hmm I don’t know. Firstly Kohli was not a major part of that squad. He was up and coming but at that point I’m sure other batsmen on the bench could have given similar performance (he always had higher ceiling obv)

Sehwag and especially Gambir are clutch players who gave performances on big occasions but their ODI records have lot of flaws. I think Rohit and Dhawan have surpassed them as a pair. Raina was important cog in the side but he would probably not even make an All time second eleven for India.

Plus I think the current bench strength is significantly more.

I am in minority (and may be wrong who knows) but I think the 2007-2011 Indian test team is stronger than the current Indian test team but this ODI team has more depth than that ODI team.

As a unit they are very stacked even if they crash and burn in big knockouts. Which is why I’m saying it would be a huge failure if likes of they don’t win an ICC title under Kohli’s captaincy.

I agree that this team needs to win something special. I have a different view on the comparison of the two teams though

Dhoni the captain >> Kohli the captain

Kohli = SRT
Rohit + Dhawan = Sehwag + Gauti
VK > Rahul (VK was actually great..one of our best players in 2010)
Yuvi >> Pandya
Dhoni >>>> Pant
Raina >>>>>>> Krunal

Spinners were better

The current full strength team has better pace bowlers though.

 

[Cric1234]

No they are not they won’t be dominating cricket this decade but will remain a decent team but beatable in WCs Australia were dominant in ODI WCs like no other team has been.

 

[Savak]

That Australian side was feared. All teams and players suck up to India for adulation and the IPL

 

[street cricketer]

Hmm I don’t know. Firstly Kohli was not a major part of that squad. He was up and coming but at that point I’m sure other batsmen on the bench could have given similar performance (he always had higher ceiling obv)

Sehwag and especially Gambir are clutch players who gave performances on big occasions but their ODI records have lot of flaws. I think Rohit and Dhawan have surpassed them as a pair. Raina was important cog in the side but he would probably not even make an All time second eleven for India.

Plus I think the current bench strength is significantly more.

I am in minority (and may be wrong who knows) but I think the 2007-2011 Indian test team is stronger than the current Indian test team but this ODI team has more depth than that ODI team.

As a unit they are very stacked even if they crash and burn in big knockouts. Which is why I’m saying it would be a huge failure if likes of they don’t win an ICC title under Kohli’s captaincy.

Nah the LOI team of 2011 WC was significantly better than the current one. Sehwag, Sachin and Gambhir were equally good as Rohit, Dhawan and Kohli while the middle order of that 2011 team blows away any Indian side afterwards. Peak Yuvi and Dhoni were something else, and they used to play match winning innings on a routine basis. Raina is definitely one of the greatest LOI players we have produced in our history. It's not that he used to score those big runs like 80s or 100s but he used to chip in with valuable fifties when needed and provide the much needed impetus to the innings. Without Raina's knocks, we would've lost both our QF and SF in that 2011 WC.

The problem with the current side is that all the batsmen in that top 3 want to stat pad and score big centuries and that has resulted in the middle order never developing like Yuvi, Dhoni and Raina. The characteristic quality of the current Indian side of the past 5-7 years is that it always has been a "top heavy" side with a fragile middle order, while the 2011 side had big guns from 1-7 basically.

Regarding the test team, the 2007-11 team obviously had a better batting side, but it's your bowlers who win you series (particularly the quicks) and so the current side trumps that past side marginally.

 

[MesonK]

No India is a much weaker side than peak decades WI, Austrailia ... India failed to win any major tournament in 2010-2020 and choked big times in KO games. It ended the decade with a laughable record of 9/11 SENA losses despite having one ATG player in its lineup.

India at best is just a decent side that is a hard opponent and a confirm top 4 in big tournaments. Nothing beyond that.

All that with the amount of Money that BCCI throws into cricket.

 

[Mesozoic]

... India failed to win any major tournament in 2010-2020.

You sure about that?

Remove your green tinted glasses and think again.

 

[MesonK]

You sure about that?

Remove your green tinted glasses and think again.

Enlighten me with your Ganges maths what has India won in last 10 years post WC11 ? There has been many LOI global tournaments since then.

A team being compared with Peak-Aus or WI has no back to back global trophies and ended the 2010s with 9/11 SENA losses.

 

[Mamoon]

Enlighten me with your Ganges maths what has India won in last 10 years post WC11 ? There has been many LOI global tournaments since then.

A team being compared with Peak-Aus or WI has no back to back global trophies and ended the 2010s with 9/11 SENA losses.

India won the 2013 Champions Trophy which means they won back to back ODI tournaments in 2011 and 2013.

 

[Mamoon]

India’s top three in ODIs is better than Australia’s: Rohit is better than Gilchrist, Dhawan is better than Hayden and Kohli is better than Ponting.

However, apart from the top 3, that Australia was far superior in other departments so there is not much of a comparison.

 

[The lone Ranger]

India won the 2013 Champions Trophy which means they won back to back ODI tournaments in 2011 and 2013.

I guess he's only talking about the year 2010 and 2020 not 2011, 2012, 2013 etc.

 

[Ab Fan]

We need to drop Dhawan because three similar players might not work in ODIs also. They are getting old and don't seem to replicate the performances that was done earlier.

Statistically, they would have plenty of runs in last few years too but strike rates are low and it is important in ODIs too.
We need to play Shaw or an attacking left hander in place of Dhawan.

 

[Savak]

India’s top three in ODIs is better than Australia’s: Rohit is better than Gilchrist, Dhawan is better than Hayden and Kohli is better than Ponting.

However, apart from the top 3, that Australia was far superior in other departments so there is not much of a comparison.

You have to be kidding me. Rohit is not better than Gilchrist, Dhawan is not better than Hayden and Kohli vs Ponting needs more analysis. Gilchrist was a big game players unlike Rohit who fails in big pressure games

 

[Mesozoic]

Enlighten me with your Ganges maths what has India won in last 10 years post WC11 ? There has been many LOI global tournaments since then.

A team being compared with Peak-Aus or WI has no back to back global trophies and ended the 2010s with 9/11 SENA losses.

Ganges maths? Relax. Let us not go down that road... it won't end well for you.

You said India haven't won any major tournament from 2010-20. Just admit that you were blinded by hate and insecurity instead of getting worked up, shifting goalposts. Just a little research would avoid such embarrassments.

 

[Mamoon]

You have to be kidding me. Rohit is not better than Gilchrist, Dhawan is not better than Hayden and Kohli vs Ponting needs more analysis. Gilchrist was a big game players unlike Rohit who fails in big pressure games

Rohit left Gilchrist behind in ODI cricket years ago. Along with Sehwag, Gilchrist is the biggest underachiever in ODI cricket.

He played in an era where his team was the strongest by a country mile and a lot of bowling attacks were poor. He should have scored 25+ ODI hundreds.

The notion that Gilchrist was a big match player is actually a myth.

Let’s put his big match performances into context. Yes has three 50+ scores in three World Cup finals including a mammoth hundred in 2007 which is great, but he failed in the following big matches:

1999 World Cup semifinal
2003 World Cup semifinal
2004 Champions Trophy seminal
2006 Champions Trophy semifinal
2007 World Cup semifinal
2007 World T20 semifinal

He failed in every semifinal that he played (6), but Australia only lost one of those semifinals, and that is the luxury that you get when you play for the greatest team of all time.

In spite of choking so much, his team was able to carry him to three World Cup finals and one of them was won by the bowlers (1999).

If you have the luxury of playing a dozen knockout matches, it is not a big deal if you perform in one or two. Gilchrist did not perform any miracle, he was bound to do well eventually - any quality batsman will eventually score in a knockout game if he gets to play so often.

He also failed in the 2006 Champions Trophy Final, but I have excluded that because Australia were chasing a low total like the 1999 World Cup.

Do you think someone like Rohit can afford to flop in 6 semifinals and still have the luxury of playing three finals and winning titles?

If an Indian, South African, English or Pakistani batsman fails in all the 6 semifinals of his career, he will retired with no trophies and will be dubbed a choker.

Gilchrist was by no means a better ODI opener than Rohit. He simply played for a GOAT team which afforded him multiple opportunities to make amends.

As far as Hayden is concerned, he was an overrated ODI player. He only properly clicked in ODI cricket in the last couple of years of his career and apart from bashing Pakistan in Kenya in 2002, he was in the shadow of Gilchrist and Ponting.

He was better than Mark Waugh in Test cricket but Mark Waugh was a much better ODI opener.

Kohli has surpassed Ponting as an ODI batsman. There is no doubt about it.

 

[Slog]

India’s top three in ODIs is better than Australia’s: Rohit is better than Gilchrist, Dhawan is better than Hayden and Kohli is better than Ponting.

However, apart from the top 3, that Australia was far superior in other departments so there is not much of a comparison.

Lol at Dhawan better than Hayden. Like seriously. LOL

 

[MesonK]

Ganges maths? Relax. Let us not go down that road... it won't end well for you.

You said India haven't won any major tournament from 2010-20. Just admit that you were blinded by hate and insecurity instead of getting worked up, shifting goalposts. Just a little research would avoid such embarrassments.

You should relax, why are you embarrassed of Ganges?


A team that has lost 9/10 SENA series in last decade, won least % in global tournaments in last 10 years, choked massively in KO games is being compared to beast AUS and WI. If this is not Ganges logic then what is? Tell me what has India won in last 10 years in global tournaments despite having an ATG LOI batsman in the lineup and hosting big tourneys at home.

 

[MesonK]

India won the 2013 Champions Trophy which means they won back to back ODI tournaments in 2011 and 2013.

GOAT team won 1 tournament in last 10 years some 8-9 years ago, lost almost every other KO game and lost 9/10 SENA series in a decade, are being compared with Waugh and Ponting's Australia and Lloyds WI ?

..................

where are the sane Indian fans?

 

[Mamoon]

Lol at Dhawan better than Hayden. Like seriously. LOL

Hayden wasn’t a great ODI player. The success of that Australian team and his exploits in Test cricket is why people overrate him in ODIs.

It is the same reason why casual fans overrate Brett Lee and will laugh at you if you tell them that he was just an ordinary Test bowler.

Hayden would have been exposed as an ODI opener without Gilchrist and Ponting carrying him.

Hayden was a poor player of lateral movement. He failed in England and South Africa throughout his career but he was very proficient against spin and did well against Asian sides.

He was also less impactful than Gilchrist because he couldn’t bat in the same aggressive fashion, and trying to spend time at the wicket and play through the innings didn’t really help him when he only scored 10 ODI hundreds in his career.

For 6-7 years, he was part of arguably the greatest ODI side of all time and played on flat pitches while having the best bowlers of the generation in his team.

Most other teams had weak attacks and in spite of that, he only scored 10 ODI hundreds which exposes his caliber as an ODI player.

He was also not aggressive like Gilchrist who had a strike rate of close to 100 while batting alongside him, so there is no excuse for his lack of hundreds.

10 ODI hundreds at a strike rate of 78 while playing for the GOAT ODI team on flat pitches and facing a lot of mediocre bowling and having players like Gilchrist, Ponting, Martyn, Symonds, Bevan etc. to support him is not an impressive return at all.

When a team becomes invincible, there is a lot of romanticism and myths attached to some of its players. They become larger than life figures so it is understandable why an average ODI opener like Hayden gets overrated.

 

[Mamoon]

GOAT team won 1 tournament in last 10 years some 8-9 years ago, lost almost every other KO game and lost 9/10 SENA series in a decade, are being compared with Waugh and Ponting's Australia and Lloyds WI ?

..................

where are the sane Indian fans?

No one calls this Indian ODI team a GOAT team. They have been an excellent ODI team in the previous decade but they have fallen short of the legendary category because of lack of trophies.

The GOAT title is associated with Kohli’s India in Test cricket not ODI cricket.

 

[Slog]

Hayden wasn’t a great ODI player. The success of that Australian team and his exploits in Test cricket is why people overrate him in ODIs.

It is the same reason why casual fans overrate Brett Lee and will laugh at you if you tell them that he was just an ordinary Test bowler.

Hayden would have been exposed as an ODI opener without Gilchrist and Ponting carrying him.

Hayden was a poor player of lateral movement. He failed in England and South Africa throughout his career but he was very proficient against spin and did well against Asian sides.

He was also less impactful than Gilchrist because he couldn’t bat in the same aggressive fashion, and trying to spend time at the wicket and play through the innings didn’t really help him when he only scored 10 ODI hundreds in his career.

For 6-7 years, he was part of arguably the greatest ODI side of all time and played on flat pitches while having the best bowlers of the generation in his team.

Most other teams had weak attacks and in spite of that, he only scored 10 ODI hundreds which exposes his caliber as an ODI player.

He was also not aggressive like Gilchrist who had a strike rate of close to 100 while batting alongside him, so there is no excuse for his lack of hundreds.

10 ODI hundreds at a strike rate of 78 while playing for the GOAT ODI team on flat pitches and facing a lot of mediocre bowling and having players like Gilchrist, Ponting, Martyn, Symonds, Bevan etc. to support him is not an impressive return at all.

When a team becomes invincible, there is a lot of romanticism and myths attached to some of its players. They become larger than life figures so it is understandable why an average ODI opener like Hayden gets overrated.

Not many people rate Brett Lee in tests. I certainly don’t.

Hayden was a great ODI opener who really stepped up in the big games. Also he didn’t play in an era of flat wickets.

 

[Technics 1210]

Gilchrist may have failed with the bat sometimes, but he made it up for it with his wicket keeping.

Rohit. )

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

You should relax, why are you embarrassed of Ganges?


A team that has lost 9/10 SENA series in last decade, won least % in global tournaments in last 10 years, choked massively in KO games is being compared to beast AUS and WI. If this is not Ganges logic then what is? Tell me what has India won in last 10 years in global tournaments despite having an ATG LOI batsman in the lineup and hosting big tourneys at home.

2011 WC
2013 CT

2021 - 10 = 2011.. Or you have some special mathematics taught

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

2011 WC
2013 CT

2021 - 10 = 2011.. Or you have some special mathematics taught

[MENTION=151350]Mesozoic[/MENTION] looks like we have to start giving some basic addition/subtraction lessons on PP.

 

[Slog]

Gilchrist may have failed with the bat sometimes, but he made it up for it with his wicket keeping.

Rohit. )

What’s the smiley for.

Rohit’s one of the ATG ODI openers without doubt.

If you think it’s not a legitimate comparison then you really don’t know much.

The Dhawan-Hayden comparison is laughable though

 

[Mesozoic]

You should relax, why are you embarrassed of Ganges?


A team that has lost 9/10 SENA series in last decade, won least % in global tournaments in last 10 years, choked massively in KO games is being compared to beast AUS and WI. If this is not Ganges logic then what is? Tell me what has India won in last 10 years in global tournaments despite having an ATG LOI batsman in the lineup and hosting big tourneys at home.

Dude just stop embarrassing yourself.
You're clearly letting your emotions get the better of you.

I was just pointing out the obvious glaring mistake in your post regarding the timeline (2010-20) and you clearly know my intentions so stop acting dumb and just admit that you messed up instead of doing these mental gymnasiums and shifting goalposts.

 

[Mamoon]

Not many people rate Brett Lee in tests. I certainly don’t.

Hayden was a great ODI opener who really stepped up in the big games. Also he didn’t play in an era of flat wickets.

ODI wickets have been flat since the late 1990s and in 2000s, when the great Australia were in their pomp, the wickets were super flat. Australia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, West Indies etc. all these countries produced proper flat pitches.

England and South Africa had flat wickets in ODIs as well but opening was a challenging their because of overheard conditions.

Teams were regularly scoring 300+ in the 2000s. The 400 barrier was also breached twice in 2006 and in the same ODI.

There is no excuse for Hayden only scoring 10 ODI hundreds at a SR of 78 (Gilchrist was striking at 96) while playing for the best team in the world on flat pitches against some pretty ordinary bowling.

That is not the record of someone who can be categorized as a great ODI opener.

He was simply a substandard ODI opener who would have been exposed had he played for a weaker team.

Hayden wasn’t that much of a big game player either. He failed badly in the 2003 World Cup as well as the 2004 Champions Trophy.

He did well in the 2002 Champions Trophy and the 2007 World Cup so overall he was mix bag in ODI tournaments.

Overall, Dhawan is a better ODI opener and he also steps up big time in tournaments.

 

[sam_ahm]

We wouldn't have been on the verge of losing a 3rd straight ODI bilateral series if we were that good, also our test record in ENG, RSA and NZL has to improve. Last ICC event won was back in 2013 (Champions Trophy) so need to win a few ICC events as well to claim that we are that dominant.

Currently far off.