India's been #1 since 2016 | Can they make this reign one to remember?

[Bhaijaan]

West Indies were undisputed #1 in the 1980s to the mid 1990s.

Then they passed on the baton to the Aussies who were undisputed #1 from mid 1990s to mid 2000s.

After the decline of the Aussies in mid 2000s the #1 tag had been intermittently shared by Aus, England, South Africa, England.

India's finally managed to strengthen their hold on the #1 rank. They have been been on top for 26 months now. It's the longest reign since the Aussies declined in the mid 2000s.

With the talent pool India has and most major test nations going through major changes, India seems to be in a good position to hold on to this reign for a little while. They're almost done with their away tours cycle and not let the rank dip. They might even win the series down under and consolidate it further.

Bottomline, could India hold on the rank for another 3 years minimum? 5+ years reign would cement their legacy and dominance.

No serious retirements coming up. Besides a lot of young talent seems ready for success in test cricket. There is a lot of serious promise. This should be a realistic goal for Indian cricket.

 

[Ab Fan]

With due respect to our Bhaijaan, SA were no.1 ranked test team between mid 2012-2016 Jan as well except for 2 months in between.

 

[Sachin136]

They'll be done the set of difficult overseas tours after Australia, and are back to Asia. Kohli, Pujara, Ashwin, Bumrah, Ishant, etc have many more years ahead of them. They'll hold on to the #1 ranking at least until the end of 2020, maybe more.

If they can do better in England/SA next time around, they'll definitely cement their legacy as a top team.

 

[Bhaijaan]

India’s already made their home the greatest and the most mightiest fortress in the history of cricket. They just have to win more abroad now to cement their legacy.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

They'll need Rahul to regain his discipline and Shaw to mature quickly. Khaleel would also be an upgrade on Ishant.

 

[ManFan]

They'll need Rahul to regain his discipline and Shaw to mature quickly. Khaleel would also be an upgrade on Ishant.

Ishant has been superb the last two years.

Only been outbowled by Shami who gets it to reverse and occasionally skid on.

 

[gazza619]

Ishant has been superb the last two years.

Only been outbowled by Shami who gets it to reverse and occasionally skid on.

Ishant has surprised me. He must have worked really hard.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Ishant has surprised me. He must have worked really hard.

Ever since Kohli took over he’s backed Ishant big time and Ishant has delivered!

Dhoni could not groom any bowler during his tenure.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Ishant has been superb the last two years.

Only been outbowled by Shami who gets it to reverse and occasionally skid on.

All I said was Khaleel would be an upgrade which speaks to his potential. It would also give India a left arm option.

 

[Napa]

If India does indeed win the Australian series they will be #1 probably till the beginning of 2021 and beyond as they are due to play England and SA in India next.

 

[Sin Nombre]

Kohli needs to win tosses and he will keep #1 for a while.

Last 3 years; 15 tosses "won", 14 wins, 1 draw.

 

[Reddy]

All I said was Khaleel would be an upgrade which speaks to his potential. It would also give India a left arm option.

Khaleel has become a trundler after reaching the Indian team, the bowler which should get chance is Avesh Khan, he is destroying Ranji sides and bowling in mid 140s all day in First Class cricket unlike Khaleel who trundles even in smaller formats.

 

[Eye_Done]

Unless all teams same number of games home and away in a given period i give a damn about these fake rankings.

 

[Sachin136]

Unless all teams same number of games home and away in a given period i give a damn about these fake rankings.

They usually are. All the top teams (India, Aus, SA, Eng) play a cycle every 2 years of home and away matches.

India has the highest W/L ratio away from home in the past 3 years.

 

[CricFan2012]

Eye opening on how India's cricket team has prospered when you look at our team. I guess the country's state also reflects this.

I don't think we will ever see Pakistan reach heights like this in our lifetime. No, that fluke number one ranking for a couple of months doesn't count, I'm talking dominant cricket like the Indians have been doing in ODI and Tests. We desperately need to fix our system.

 

[Balthazar]

All I said was Khaleel would be an upgrade which speaks to his potential. It would also give India a left arm option.

Don't think Khaleel is suitable for Test cricket. His speeds are not good enough and is yet give a good performance in Ranjis. Siraj, Rajpoot, Mavi and Nagarkoti are the next best bowlers.

 

[BaankeJi]

If India does indeed win the Australian series they will be #1 probably till the beginning of 2021 and beyond as they are due to play England and SA in India next.

What if India draw the series?

 

[Napa]

What if India draw the series?

If India draws 1-1 or 2-2 with Australia, and England beats WI 3-0 and Australia 5-0, then only will England just pip India to the #1 position. Both will have 114 points, but England will get ahead of India on the decimals.

https://www.icc-cricket.com/rankings/mens/rankings-predictor/test

I would say the above scenario is rather unlikely, so a series draw with Australia should be enough.

 

[AMSS]

The Indian team of 2009-2011 stayed at the summit for 21 months and were objectively better than the current squad. Perhaps a little weaker in terms of bowling but overall a more rounded, and more resilient side.

On the other hand, this team has already been at the top for 26 months now, and if the current series goes their way, could prolong it for another 24 month at the very least.

But beyond that? Would depend on how the new batting reinforcements would fare going forward.

 

[AMSS]

How long did the Australians stayed at the top during the noughties? 8-9 years?

 

[Joseph Gomes]

How long did the Australians stayed at the top during the noughties? 8-9 years?

8 years I guess. 1999 to 2007 was their golden era.

 

[Cricfan4eva]

We tour Australia again in 2020 so hold your horses about a 3 year reign. Also we play 10 tests with England home and away with only IPL in between in 2021.

If India survive all that and still remain number 1 by the end of 2021. They will definitely place themselves among the elite, however no where close Aus of noughties or Windies who demolished teams away.

India have competed at best and still have no series win to show for so far.

 

[The Viper]

They have to win the series vs Aus first. Despite winning the first game, this is a challenge and India have to be at the top of their game.

 

[Bhaijaan]

We tour Australia again in 2020 so hold your horses about a 3 year reign. Also we play 10 tests with England home and away with only IPL in between in 2021.

If India survive all that and still remain number 1 by the end of 2021. They will definitely place themselves among the elite, however no where close Aus of noughties or Windies who demolished teams away.

India have competed at best and still have no series win to show for so far.

No great achievement comes easy. India has its work cut out but it is a huge opportunity. This is already the 3rd biggest reign in modern era.

 

[Bhaijaan]

India completed year 2018 with 4 SENA test wins and 7 losses.

Massive improvement from orevious cycles where they got blanked everywhere.

A lot of the defeats were close ones and could have turned India's way if the batsmen showed some character to chase down meagre totals.

Nonetheless India still well on top and given they wo have a proper home tests cycle they have a great chance to continue their reign for a couple of more years.

 

[Tridibans_16]

India completed year 2018 with 4 SENA test wins and 7 losses.

Massive improvement from orevious cycles where they got blanked everywhere.

A lot of the defeats were close ones and could have turned India's way if the batsmen showed some character to chase down meagre totals.

Nonetheless India still well on top and given they wo have a proper home tests cycle they have a great chance to continue their reign for a couple of more years.

Bu we disgraced ourselves by winning at MCG.

 

[light]

This is a prime example on why the grass root level needs nurturing. With other teams regressing all around the world, ind may hold on to the fortress for a while.

 

[Robert]

Unless all teams same number of games home and away in a given period i give a damn about these fake rankings.

You mean you *don’t* give a damn. Giving a damn mean you give something for the rankings.

 

[Bhaijaan]

If this reign stretches to 5+ years King Kohli’s team would be regarded as an ATG team

 

[deep82]

The core of Virat Kohli team will stay the same for next overseas cycle so I am confident we can extend the No.1 dominance for 3 more years and that would be legacy then....

2010 – India
2011 – India

2017 – India
2018 - India
2019 - India ( at April 2019 cut off date)

 

[siri]

whats the fuss about ???india lost 2-1 to a not so good sa team and were blanked 4-1 by england when we all heard how this ind team will easily beat england .now after 3 test against aus missing two of there best batsmen ,series is still just 2-1 and suddenly we hear how india is as great as aus and wi who never lost 4-1 in their golden period plus were dominating the odis too which is hardly with this ind team as we will find soon against nz

 

[Bhaijaan]

4 months into 2019.

Still #1

India might keep the rank till 2020.

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

By winning a series in aus we have justified our no. 1 position.
The new target is to become an atg team.

 

[Bhaijaan]

By winning a series in aus we have justified our no. 1 position.
The new target is to become an atg team.

For that status India must have a reign of 7-10 years at the very top.

 

[Canford Cliffs]

For that status India must have a reign of 7-10 years at the very top.

3 years already over...so its another 4 years to go. With the lead in points we have and barrage of home series coming up....I dont see anyone dethroning us from top for nexr 5 years

 

[Bhaijaan]

3 years already over...so its another 4 years to go. With the lead in points we have and barrage of home series coming up....I dont see anyone dethroning us from top for nexr 5 years

We shouldn’t take our home advantage for granted. Beating South Africa and Australia wasn’t a walk in the park for us.

 

[ar2020]

#1 in what? They haven't won a thing.

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

3 years already over...so its another 4 years to go. With the lead in points we have and barrage of home series coming up....I dont see anyone dethroning us from top for nexr 5 years

For that status India must have a reign of 7-10 years at the very top.

From now onwards i think winning the test championship will be a necessity to become ant atg team.
So test championship should be our target.

 

[Reverse Sweep]

NZ is a good chance of getting to no 1 after having won 5 series in a row. There are series away to Sri Lanka and at home vs England which they should win, an away series to Australia which they might win if Lockie Ferguson is selected and a series at home vs India which they should win.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Could India go into the 2020s still as the #1 ranked test team?

 

[Slog]

It’s true that they have been number 1 for a long time but for some reason they do not look as dominant as other teams who’ve held the mace that long. I guess it’s also product of their most famous series win (Australia away) having an asterisk next to it

 

[tyron_woodley]

We tour Australia again in 2020 so hold your horses about a 3 year reign. Also we play 10 tests with England home and away with only IPL in between in 2021.

If India survive all that and still remain number 1 by the end of 2021. They will definitely place themselves among the elite, however no where close Aus of noughties or Windies who demolished teams away.

India have competed at best and still have no series win to show for so far.

this time india will finish australia in australia even with their full strength team. so much for Aussies without their star batsmen. India too had walking wickets that should never be playing. Shaw and Mayank should be the opening pair.

 

[tyron_woodley]

It’s true that they have been number 1 for a long time but for some reason they do not look as dominant as other teams who’ve held the mace that long. I guess it’s also product of their most famous series win (Australia away) having an asterisk next to it

I highly doubt nz would beat india. They got blanked 3 0 by india not too long ago vs a weaker indian side. Now with India's bowling attack, they will cause serious problems for n.z. Don't think a good old brendon mcculum fluke innings would happen again.

 

[aloo paratha]

I highly doubt nz would beat india. They got blanked 3 0 by india not too long ago vs a weaker indian side. Now with India's bowling attack, they will cause serious problems for n.z. Don't think a good old brendon mcculum fluke innings would happen again.

Series is in NZ. Boult, Southee and Wagner are a very good trio in those conditions, I only see Kohli and Rahane scoring big runs in NZ, the rest will struggle.

 

[pratiktc]

India will remain no.1 as long as spin twins Ashwin+Jadeja are fit and in form and home cycle continues.
Away from home they are an average side.
No team with aspirations of greatness should lose 7 tests in a 13 month span

 

[jagatk]

Series is in NZ. Boult, Southee and Wagner are a very good trio in those conditions, I only see Kohli and Rahane scoring big runs in NZ, the rest will struggle.

We have a bowling lineup to challenge NZ and they have only Williamson the rest are worse than what India has.

 

[jagatk]

It’s true that they have been number 1 for a long time but for some reason they do not look as dominant as other teams who’ve held the mace that long. I guess it’s also product of their most famous series win (Australia away) having an asterisk next to it

Funny how I never hear you lot having an asterisk next to your 2003-04 series given the injuries we had or the 2008 series where bucknor and the other idiot basically made it a 13 v 11 contest.

 

[andy0204]

Funny how I never hear you lot having an asterisk next to your 2003-04 series given the injuries we had or the 2008 series where bucknor and the other idiot basically made it a 13 v 11 contest.

In 2004 India were having Sehwag,Dravid,Laxman in the batting line-up.
Smith was carrying his batting line-up for 3-4 years (Warner and Khwaja in home condition).
I agree with 2008 but then again what about Pakistan was about to defeat westindies in westindies 1988 due to bad umpiring they were also robbed.

 

[jagatk]

In 2004 India were having Sehwag,Dravid,Laxman in the batting line-up.
Smith was carrying his batting line-up for 3-4 years (Warner and Khwaja in home condition).
I agree with 2008 but then again what about Pakistan was about to defeat westindies in westindies 1988 due to bad umpiring they were also robbed.

But that's not India's problem is it, if you don't have good enough batsmen it isn't our fault, not our problem that your 3 players decided to cheat and were caught. I am just pointing out the hypocrisy of it that these absurd asterisks are attached when India wins, there isn't an asterisk next to 2005 ashes where England only won the games McGrath missed or a double asterisk to show how rubbish the so called invincible aussie team of 2001 was where a rookie spinner harbhajan tore them a new one while having no help as 2 of our best bowlers kumble and srinath were injured, with kumble missing the series completely while srinath couldn't play 2 of 3 games.

Aussies lost fair and square, but no when an asian team wins there's always asterisks, which conveniently dissapear when SENA teams win.

 

[Ab Fan]

We have a bowling lineup to challenge NZ and they have only Williamson the rest are worse than what India has.

NZ are no longer one man Williamson's team.

They have Latham, Taylor, Watling , all three very good batters.

The chances of Latham scoring in NZ is higher than any of our openers(we dont have any established opener yet). Watling is one of the best wicket-keeper batsmen in the world currently. He is better than Bairstow and hence better than a young Pant. Henry Nicholas is quite good as well.

Bowling with Boult, Wagner, Southee and Santner is quite excellent IMO.

 

[MP2011]

But that's not India's problem is it, if you don't have good enough batsmen it isn't our fault, not our problem that your 3 players decided to cheat and were caught. I am just pointing out the hypocrisy of it that these absurd asterisks are attached when India wins, there isn't an asterisk next to 2005 ashes where England only won the games McGrath missed or a double asterisk to show how rubbish the so called invincible aussie team of 2001 was where a rookie spinner harbhajan tore them a new one while having no help as 2 of our best bowlers kumble and srinath were injured, with kumble missing the series completely while srinath couldn't play 2 of 3 games.

Aussies lost fair and square, but no when an asian team wins there's always asterisks, which conveniently dissapear when SENA teams win.

This.

Well said.

Does anyone put asterisks against Aus's 2 test wins in this Ashes since Jimmy bowled only 4 overs in entire series? At least Jimmy was out injured and not cheated like those serial cheats....

 

[MP2011]

Eng's Ashes win in '05 had asterisks hovering all over it. Their nemesis McGrath didn't play 2 tests and they were the only ones Eng won in that series.

 

[Slog]

This.

Well said.

Does anyone put asterisks against Aus's 2 test wins in this Ashes since Jimmy bowled only 4 overs in entire series? At least Jimmy was out injured and not cheated like those serial cheats....

Jimmy has always been Smith’s little puppy though

 

[andy0204]

This.

Well said.

Does anyone put asterisks against Aus's 2 test wins in this Ashes since Jimmy bowled only 4 overs in entire series? At least Jimmy was out injured and not cheated like those serial cheats....

Smith averages 47 vs Anderson in England.
Infact broad troubled him a lot last time when he was in England.

 

[andy0204]

But that's not India's problem is it, if you don't have good enough batsmen it isn't our fault, not our problem that your 3 players decided to cheat and were caught. I am just pointing out the hypocrisy of it that these absurd asterisks are attached when India wins, there isn't an asterisk next to 2005 ashes where England only won the games McGrath missed or a double asterisk to show how rubbish the so called invincible aussie team of 2001 was where a rookie spinner harbhajan tore them a new one while having no help as 2 of our best bowlers kumble and srinath were injured, with kumble missing the series completely while srinath couldn't play 2 of 3 games.

Aussies lost fair and square, but no when an asian team wins there's always asterisks, which conveniently dissapear when SENA teams win.

Kumble wasn't injured in 2001 series his family member died during that tour.
Well no one is perfect winning in abroad there are asertiks.

 

[andy0204]

NZ are no longer one man Williamson's team.

They have Latham, Taylor, Watling , all three very good batters.

The chances of Latham scoring in NZ is higher than any of our openers(we dont have any established opener yet). Watling is one of the best wicket-keeper batsmen in the world currently. He is better than Bairstow and hence better than a young Pant. Henry Nicholas is quite good as well.

Bowling with Boult, Wagner, Southee and Santner is quite excellent IMO.

Add Colin de grandhomme.

 

[jagatk]

Kumble wasn't injured in 2001 series his family member died during that tour.
Well no one is perfect winning in abroad there are asertiks.

I remember he wasn't available, didn't know it wasn't an injury, but the point still stands,no one cares that mcgrath missed the 2 wins, england were deserving winners is what most people agree on, but when it comes to india's win, the standards change, shouldn't be so.

 

[jagatk]

NZ are no longer one man Williamson's team.

They have Latham, Taylor, Watling , all three very good batters.

The chances of Latham scoring in NZ is higher than any of our openers(we dont have any established opener yet). Watling is one of the best wicket-keeper batsmen in the world currently. He is better than Bairstow and hence better than a young Pant. Henry Nicholas is quite good as well.

Bowling with Boult, Wagner, Southee and Santner is quite excellent IMO.

Add Colin de grandhomme.

The batsmen are all decent especially in their home conditions, but our bowling lineup currently is one of the best in the world and they definitely aren't. If toss doesn't completely go against us and his coaching cronies are able to control the egomaniac from mucking up the team with his absurd choices like dropping rahane for 2 of the 3 tests in SA or dropping pujara for the 1st test in england we should win.

 

[andy0204]

The batsmen are all decent especially in their home conditions, but our bowling lineup currently is one of the best in the world and they definitely aren't. If toss doesn't completely go against us and his coaching cronies are able to control the egomaniac from mucking up the team with his absurd choices like dropping rahane for 2 of the 3 tests in SA or dropping pujara for the 1st test in england we should win.

I wish Rohit must fail in South Africa, Bangladesh series,if he doesn't he will come to New Zealand and will be walking wicket.

 

[tyron_woodley]

The batsmen are all decent especially in their home conditions, but our bowling lineup currently is one of the best in the world and they definitely aren't. If toss doesn't completely go against us and his coaching cronies are able to control the egomaniac from mucking up the team with his absurd choices like dropping rahane for 2 of the 3 tests in SA or dropping pujara for the 1st test in england we should win.

this is the correct answer. Well said. India need to annihilate the sheep shearers for costing them a WC title.

 

[jagatk]

I wish Rohit must fail in South Africa, Bangladesh series,if he doesn't he will come to New Zealand and will be walking wicket.

I am hoping for the same, rohit is a decent batsman to have in india playing at no 6, where 9 times out of 10, one of the openers or ChePu or kohli have done most of the job and Sharma can just score freely and quickly, he isn't good enough to open in India let alone in places like NZ.

 

[MP2011]

Smith averages 47 vs Anderson in England.
Infact broad troubled him a lot last time when he was in England.

And who told you that Smith will score runs for certainty this time against an attack which didn't have Jimmy in it? After all, Smith was returning after an year's hiatus and Jimmy the kind of bowler he is, especially in England might just have troubled him, no?

 

[MP2011]

Jimmy has always been Smith’s little puppy though

So this argument at least nullifies Warne's absence in that '03-'04 series India played in Australia....

Don't know who'll nullify Bucknor though?

 

[Ram Shekhar]

India #1 is the most ridiculous thing in cricket ever. We can't properly win a series outside India and we claim to be #1. We should first focus on winning some away tests

 

[Pakhs]

India are a weak No.1 just like the SA side before or that 2005 Ashes wining England side. The only undisputed No.1 we have seen so far in history were Austrlia of the late 90s and early 2000s and the great WIs side.

 

[Raja111]

India #1 is the most ridiculous thing in cricket ever. We can't properly win a series outside India and we claim to be #1. We should first focus on winning some away tests

And some teams couldn't even win their home matches! Btw Who is the Real No.1 Test and ODI team in world cricket currently, Mr. pretender?

 

[Amjid Javed]

India need to win test series in SA and England with current group of player and in current era if they want to show they are a number 1 side in all conditions.

 

[Slog]

So this argument at least nullifies Warne's absence in that '03-'04 series India played in Australia....

Don't know who'll nullify Bucknor though?

McGrath was the real miss in 03-04 and Lee missed a few too

Lol brad Williams was a spearhead for Australia that series and few years down the line he was painting houses

 

[JaDed]

But that's not India's problem is it, if you don't have good enough batsmen it isn't our fault, not our problem that your 3 players decided to cheat and were caught. I am just pointing out the hypocrisy of it that these absurd asterisks are attached when India wins, there isn't an asterisk next to 2005 ashes where England only won the games McGrath missed or a double asterisk to show how rubbish the so called invincible aussie team of 2001 was where a rookie spinner harbhajan tore them a new one while having no help as 2 of our best bowlers kumble and srinath were injured, with kumble missing the series completely while srinath couldn't play 2 of 3 games.

Aussies lost fair and square, but no when an asian team wins there's always asterisks, which conveniently dissapear when SENA teams win.

Also the famous drawn series Pak vs Wi, the match Pak won had no Malcom or Viv..

 

[JaDed]

India need to win test series in SA and England with current group of player and in current era if they want to show they are a number 1 side in all conditions.

Or just win the test championship?

 

[shantanu]

@ Ram Shekhar
Its a mathematical system through which the position has been attained fair nd square. Impenetrable at home and above average on the away tours. How then Mr. Shekhar is it the most ridiculous thing ever?
Your masquerade is not as foolproof as you imagine it to be. Let your hate be honest man. Be genuine.
What you do shows you have no class. And the fact you do it with such tenacity indicates your lack of perspicacity.

 

[JaDed]

@ Ram Shekhar
Its a mathematical system through which the position has been attained fair nd square. Impenetrable at home and above average on the away tours. How then Mr. Shekhar is it the most ridiculous thing ever?
Your masquerade is not as foolproof as you imagine it to be. Let your hate be honest man. Be genuine.
What you do shows you have no class. And the fact you do it with such tenacity indicates your lack of perspicacity.

Don’t worry he is not fooling even the Pak posters anymore

 

[JaDed]

India are a weak No.1 just like the SA side before or that 2005 Ashes wining England side. The only undisputed No.1 we have seen so far in history were Austrlia of the late 90s and early 2000s and the great WIs side.

Well said, problem is just cause a team is #1 the posters assume they are automatically supposed to be like those two teams which is impossible and takes years of work.

 

[Joseph Gomes]

Or just win the test championship?

Away series wins are worth way more than test championship. This isn't ODIs, winnings tests away is incomparably harder than winning home matches. Especially for SENA teams in SC and vice versa.

 

[Swashbuckler]

India #1 is the most ridiculous thing in cricket ever. We can't properly win a series outside India and we claim to be #1. We should first focus on winning some away tests

We are almost invincible in India, BD, SL and WI, last 3 are not laughing matters because many other teams have fumbled badly there like Eng in WI/BD or Aus/SA's whitewashes in SL. Pakistan has had its fortress breached twice post MisYou era and lost everything in Aus/SA/NZ for many years now. We compete better in SENA countries than what they manage in India. We may not be a dominant #1 but what is ridiculous about the ranking? There is no legendary team right now like WI/Aus of past, we are better than the competition. Who do you think deserves the top spot if not India?

 

[Swashbuckler]

McGrath was the real miss in 03-04 and Lee missed a few too

Lol brad Williams was a spearhead for Australia that series and few years down the line he was painting houses

That's fine man. We missed Srinath/Kumble in 2001 but still beat an Aussies team on a 16 match winning streak. When Australia conquered its final frontier in 2004 most of our players were injured. Sachin had tennis elbow and had to be rushed in for final 2 tests going against medical advice, Harbhajan/Ganguly missed parts of the series, Dravid/VVS were carrying niggles. I remember we had Yuvi opening, Irfan Pathan at number 3 and Kaif in middle order , Murphy's law in full force. Injuries are part and parcel, what would have happened if McGrath hadn't stepped on a ball in 2005 Ashes? Pakistan's famous win in Georgetown 1988 won't lose its significance just because Viv and Marshall didn't take part. Opportunities often present themselves, up to the teams to make full use.

 

[Swashbuckler]

Just because Borg, Sampras, Federer, Nadal, Djokovic have been top ranked players doesn't mean you question the feats of Nastase, Lendl, Wilander, Courier, Kuerten. Among caviar you get grades like black, red, yellow, same applies here .

But if someone compares this Indian team with the teams of Lloyd, Viv, Waugh, Ponting or even Graeme Smith that deserves to be ridiculed .

 

[jagatk]

Just because Borg, Sampras, Federer, Nadal, Djokovic have been top ranked players doesn't mean you question the feats of Nastase, Lendl, Wilander, Courier, Kuerten. Among caviar you get grades like black, red, yellow, same applies here .

But if someone compares this Indian team with the teams of Lloyd, Viv, Waugh, Ponting or even Graeme Smith that deserves to be ridiculed .

I get the others but smith?

 

[aloo paratha]

We have a bowling lineup to challenge NZ and they have only Williamson the rest are worse than what India has.

Henry Nicholls is rated #5, Tom Latham #8 Ross Taylor at #14, all that plus Williamson is rated #3, you're really underestimating NZ. Only weak links are Raval and De Grandhomme if he plays.

 

[tyron_woodley]

Just because Borg, Sampras, Federer, Nadal, Djokovic have been top ranked players doesn't mean you question the feats of Nastase, Lendl, Wilander, Courier, Kuerten. Among caviar you get grades like black, red, yellow, same applies here .

But if someone compares this Indian team with the teams of Lloyd, Viv, Waugh, Ponting or even Graeme Smith that deserves to be ridiculed .

lmao this team would smash Smith's team. This indian team is more like a rod laver, Emerson level. If it keeps dominating at home like they have been doing they will undoubtedly be one of the GOAT teams of all time. An away win England and s.africa will only further boost their status.

This team would comfortably beat ponting's team at home and compete well away. With their current bowling attack which is actually better than the aussies, it is possible.

They have to win away to reach the level of Lloyd's and Waugh's team I agree.

You want to be a great team? first try not to lose a series at home lmao.