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

[Swashbuckler]

I get the others but smith?

Under him SA went undefeated outside home for close to a decade, between their series loss in SL in 2006 and in India in 2015. Won in Aus, Eng, NZ, WI, BD multiple times, won in Pakistan in 2007 (whitewash), drew in SL and UAE, held a great Indian team to 2 drawn series in India where it was India that had to fight its way back and not the other way around. They did better overseas than 2000s Australia. At home they weren't unbeaten but apart from Australia and England (once) they won all the other series. Since overseas wins should have more value I think that SA team deserves to be bracketed alongside WI/Aus.

 

[Swashbuckler]

lmao this team would smash Smith's team. This indian team is more like a rod laver, Emerson level.

A team that got smashed 1-4 by the worst English team of the last 100 years and which lost the series in SA in 7 days, against the worst SA team since readmission. That team is Rod Laver level? That team would beat Smith's team? You remember who all played in Smith's team?

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.

Not comfortably with such a pathetic batting line up, unlike previous Indian teams this one would struggle immensely against Warne and Mcgrath is always a threat. Fab 4 team would play its best cricket against Australia, beyond its potential. Don't think Vihari will become Laxman and KL Rahul a Sehwag, we won't put up enough runs on the board. Away we would be flogged by Ponting's full strength team, we wouldn't be able to draw a single match.

 

[Slog]

It might be unpopular opinion but I think the India team which became #1 from 2008-2011 was stronger than this one.

Definitely back them to beat this bunch at home.

 

[Bhaijaan]

It might be unpopular opinion but I think the India team which became #1 from 2008-2011 was stronger than this one.

Definitely back them to beat this bunch at home.

Definitely

That team would smash this Indian team.

If the 2008-11 did not lose momentum to ageing and retirements it would have also had a much longer reign.

That batting line up India had back then, would have smashed 500 runs in ODI cricket by now. What a gun batting line up it was.

 

[Swashbuckler]

It might be unpopular opinion but I think the India team which became #1 from 2008-2011 was stronger than this one.

Definitely back them to beat this bunch at home.

That 2007-10 Indian team didn't have the bowling unit, basically a washed up Harbhajan, peak Zaheer and not much else. The current Indian batting unit is weak but would still pile on the runs against that team. But this Indian bowling attack in Asian conditions is something else, 5 out of Shami, Bumrah, peak Ishant, Ashwin, Jadeja, Kuldeep in starting XI means they would always pick up 20 wickets. This team is also pretty ruthless, the 07-10 team had a defensive test captain and content with 1-0 wins, Kohli's team hunts for whitewashes. The hunger would make a crucial difference I believe. Overseas I give the edge to that Indian team, not in the SC. There is reason we are 23-1 at home in the last 5 years or so, with a couple of draws mainly because of adverse weather.

 

[jagatk]

Under him SA went undefeated outside home for close to a decade, between their series loss in SL in 2006 and in India in 2015. Won in Aus, Eng, NZ, WI, BD multiple times, won in Pakistan in 2007 (whitewash), drew in SL and UAE, held a great Indian team to 2 drawn series in India where it was India that had to fight its way back and not the other way around. They did better overseas than 2000s Australia. At home they weren't unbeaten but apart from Australia and England (once) they won all the other series. Since overseas wins should have more value I think that SA team deserves to be bracketed alongside WI/Aus.

But india did the same to them, we weren't able to beat them at home but they weren't either. For me they were great away from home but disappointing at home. India drew a series there, England did the same, aussies beat them.

 

[Bhaijaan]

That 2007-10 Indian team didn't have the bowling unit, basically a washed up Harbhajan, peak Zaheer and not much else. The current Indian batting unit is weak but would still pile on the runs against that team. But this Indian bowling attack in Asian conditions is something else, 5 out of Shami, Bumrah, peak Ishant, Ashwin, Jadeja, Kuldeep in starting XI means they would always pick up 20 wickets. This team is also pretty ruthless, the 07-10 team had a defensive test captain and content with 1-0 wins, Kohli's team hunts for whitewashes. The hunger would make a crucial difference I believe. Overseas I give the edge to that Indian team, not in the SC. There is reason we are 23-1 at home in the last 5 years or so, with a couple of draws mainly because of adverse weather.

Harbhajan was rendered useless by the pitches India mostly opted for in the late 2000s.

Everyone is aware most Kohli/Shastri take over, Indian pitches have been purposefully soon friendly to give maximum advantage to home spinners. We almost lost a few home tests because of those spin minefields where Harbhajan alone would have been as dangerous as Ashwin and Jadeja combined whose so called bowling prowess continuously gets exposes abroad.

Also at the pace front, we had Sreesanth, Nehra, Praveen, Irfan, Munaf, RP Singh.

Jog your memory back, Sreesanth won us a test in South Africa on his own

Munaf was great in West Indies

Everyone will agree current pace attack is clearly better but we could not have become #1 back then without one either and we clearly had it.

At least that team delivered a world cup win

 

[Swashbuckler]

But india did the same to them, we weren't able to beat them at home but they weren't either. For me they were great away from home but disappointing at home. India drew a series there, England did the same, aussies beat them.

In the 2006-15 period that I was talking about they beat us twice, 2-1 in 2006-07 and 1-0 in 2013-14. In that period what they did is commendable. They had weaknesses at home especially against Australia, hence they fall just short of being in the class of Lloyd/Ponting teams.

 

[jagatk]

It might be unpopular opinion but I think the India team which became #1 from 2008-2011 was stronger than this one.

Definitely back them to beat this bunch at home.

They didn't have a great bowling lineup though, that team had one of the greatest ever batting lineups ever seen. But the bowling was beyond hit and miss, outside of zaheer it had no real consistent bowlers let alone decent ones. Kumble was on his last legs, harbhajan was waning.

 

[jagatk]

In the 2006-15 period that I was talking about they beat us twice, 2-1 in 2006-07 and 1-0 in 2013-14. In that period what they did is commendable. They had weaknesses at home especially against Australia, hence they fall just short of being in the class of Lloyd/Ponting teams.

In the same period, india drew a series in SA in 2010, England did the same in 2009, Aussies in 2011 and they beat them in 2014. That's one too many drawn series at home for me. They were great away but below par at home.

 

[Swashbuckler]

Harbhajan was rendered useless by the pitches India mostly opted for in the late 2000s.

Harbhajan was rendered useless when doosra came under ICC's spotlight. He failed on turning tracks in SL, BD as well. Late 2000s he became a darter.

Everyone is aware most Kohli/Shastri take over, Indian pitches have been purposefully soon friendly to give maximum advantage to home spinners. We almost lost a few home tests because of those spin minefields where Harbhajan alone would have been as dangerous as Ashwin and Jadeja combined whose so called bowling prowess continuously gets exposes abroad.

Our home domination started in 2013 under Dhoni, the 4-0 win over Clarke's Australia was the turning point. Harbhajan alone as much as Jaddu-Ash I don't agree, don't exaggerate. Besides Harbhajan was a chucker when he bowled doosra, as Indian fans we should accept that. We moan and cry about Ajmal, Hafeez, Murali but why the hypocrisy when our own player does it. He was called by ICC many times and hence had to abandon doosra, lost his main wicket taking option after that.

Apart form Harbhajan no other good spinner to speak of after Kumble retired. Current team has Jaddu-Ash and then a handy back up in Kuldeep, who knows a future legend? Bench strength is a big factor, and on turners this team can field more than just one good spinner.

Overseas different skills required, and Harbhajan wasn't that much better honestly. Anyway I already said the 2007-10 team would be favorites outside Asia. Talking about SC here.

Also at the pace front, we had Sreesanth, Nehra, Praveen, Irfan, Munaf, RP Singh.

Jog your memory back, Sreesanth won us a test in South Africa on his own

Munaf was great in West Indies

They weren't regulars and more often than not failed. We can talk about Bhuvi's showing in England 2014, WI 2016 or Umesh in some important home series but doesn't mean they get placed ahead of Shami/Bumrah/Ishant. The current trio is our greatest pace battery, statistically and impact-wise no way inferior than a hypothetical Kapil/Srinath/Zaheer trio.

At least that team delivered a world cup win

In ODIs no comparison, that team wins easily. Despite our superior ODI W-L record under Kohli no way will I rate these chokers ahead of peak Dhoni's team.

 

[Ab Fan]

It might be unpopular opinion but I think the India team which became #1 from 2008-2011 was stronger than this one.

Definitely back them to beat this bunch at home.

At home, it will be a close contest but away this team will smash the current one.

Rahul, Rohit , Vijay everyone performed at home. It was away that all looked poor.

 

[tyron_woodley]

A team that got smashed 1-4 by the worst English team of the last 100 years and which lost the series in SA in 7 days, against the worst SA team since readmission. That team is Rod Laver level? That team would beat Smith's team? You remember who all played in Smith's team?



Not comfortably with such a pathetic batting line up, unlike previous Indian teams this one would struggle immensely against Warne and Mcgrath is always a threat. Fab 4 team would play its best cricket against Australia, beyond its potential. Don't think Vihari will become Laxman and KL Rahul a Sehwag, we won't put up enough runs on the board. Away we would be flogged by Ponting's full strength team, we wouldn't be able to draw a single match.

toss matters away. Kohli wins the toss india ain't losing to ponting's, his baap's team or Smith's team.

I totally remember who was in Smith's team. Indian bowling would be the difference. If india win the toss it's all over for the so called GOAT s.african team. At home it's not even worth mentioning. india under kohli would crush them. ashwin and jadeja alone would decimate those teams.

you don't know that though? vihari's first class batting average is vey impressive etc. He has loads of potential. Whole team has immense potential.

Mayank and Shaw will be the actual openers. Before dickheads don't realize how good Shaw is, go see his first class games and check his stats. He would be a huge difference maker for India. India also need to draft in gill who is a far better in the test format.

kl Rahul should never even be part of any indian team in any format. Before people write Shaw off as a newcomer, bumrah also started his first official game vs s.africa based on his first class cricket performances. Look how that turned out now?

Away vs dirty lying scummy cheating ponting's team, this india would be able to compete well due to the strength of the bowling attack and the correct selection of batsmen provided kohli doesn't choose his favourites.

 

[tyron_woodley]

Harbhajan was rendered useless by the pitches India mostly opted for in the late 2000s.

Everyone is aware most Kohli/Shastri take over, Indian pitches have been purposefully soon friendly to give maximum advantage to home spinners. We almost lost a few home tests because of those spin minefields where Harbhajan alone would have been as dangerous as Ashwin and Jadeja combined whose so called bowling prowess continuously gets exposes abroad.

Also at the pace front, we had Sreesanth, Nehra, Praveen, Irfan, Munaf, RP Singh.

Jog your memory back, Sreesanth won us a test in South Africa on his own

Munaf was great in West Indies

Everyone will agree current pace attack is clearly better but we could not have become #1 back then without one either and we clearly had it.

At least that team delivered a world cup win

none of them barring zaheer had an average under 30. Sreesanth at his best was a brilliant bowler agree but none of these bowlers were as good as the current attack. irfan had potential but that's all it was. That's one player that could have been an all time legend but dhoni ruined his career.

Well if it wasn't for kohli's favouritism and biased selections, india could have won this year's world cup too. Ofcourse that's not an excuse though. At the end of the day the result is what matters most.

This current indian team is just far too well balanced. They have fixed most of their weaknesses barring the opening slot which will be filled in by Shaw when he returns. Shaw and Mayank will be the real opening gun pair. Those 2 have insane potnetial especially Shaw. Gill too.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Going strong

Good win against Southern Afrikaan

 

[Mamoon]

Kohli is firmly establishing itself as the finest Asian Test captain of all time. He is winning matches at a ridiculous rate and has empowered his pacers like no Indian captain ever has.

He is well on his way of overtaking G. Smith as the most prolific Test captain by number of wins. There is no chance of any side toppling India as the number one team for at least 3-4 more years.

This is shaping up to be the greatest period of Test cricket in Indian history.

 

[shantanu]

As an indian fan i have never felt this level of confidence in our bowling abilities for all kinds of conditions. We have had good batters all along but now we have the bowling attack to complement the batting might. Kohli's greatest achievement might be the way he has nurtured this tremendous bowling unit. The odd blip apart, bowlers have delivered unbelievably well in the last few years.
Its difficult to see the Indian cricketing dominance declining in the next 5 years. How I wish we keep doing it well and acquire the aura of the Australian team of the 2000s!
Proud of the team.

 

[Mesozoic]

It'll be befitting if Kohli lifts that championship title at Lords in 2021. Anything short of that, India's run as the best test team in the world will be rendered useless. I really hope we don't choke again when it matters the most.

 

[andy0204]

I think if the openers having a good start in NZ then India will win in NZ.

 

[Bhaijaan]

As an indian fan i have never felt this level of confidence in our bowling abilities for all kinds of conditions. We have had good batters all along but now we have the bowling attack to complement the batting might. Kohli's greatest achievement might be the way he has nurtured this tremendous bowling unit. The odd blip apart, bowlers have delivered unbelievably well in the last few years.
Its difficult to see the Indian cricketing dominance declining in the next 5 years. How I wish we keep doing it well and acquire the aura of the Australian team of the 2000s!
Proud of the team.

Kohli is the Clive Lloyd India never had.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Has peaked higher than most teams in history except Lloyd's windies , GOAT Aussie side and Smith's Saffers. Easily the GOAT Asian team

 

[big_gamer007]

Amazing performance no doubt if only we could have won in England and SA this team would have been rated on par with AUS and WI GOAT teams.

 

[tyron_woodley]

Has peaked higher than most teams in history except Lloyd's windies , GOAT Aussie side and Smith's Saffers. Easily the GOAT Asian team

better than Smith's saffers for sure. Smith's saffers would not draw against this indian side either. They had a great team in 2015 and still got spanked 3 0.

 

[tyron_woodley]

Under him SA went undefeated outside home for close to a decade, between their series loss in SL in 2006 and in India in 2015. Won in Aus, Eng, NZ, WI, BD multiple times, won in Pakistan in 2007 (whitewash), drew in SL and UAE, held a great Indian team to 2 drawn series in India where it was India that had to fight its way back and not the other way around. They did better overseas than 2000s Australia. At home they weren't unbeaten but apart from Australia and England (once) they won all the other series. Since overseas wins should have more value I think that SA team deserves to be bracketed alongside WI/Aus.

They also lost at home twice to Aussies and England too I believe.

 

[andy0204]

better than Smith's saffers for sure. Smith's saffers would not draw against this indian side either. They had a great team in 2015 and still got spanked 3 0.

It was the same series where Steyn injuries started beginning.

 

[tyron_woodley]

It was the same series where Steyn injuries started beginning.

there were also reports about steyn ball tampering. steyn is a great player no doubt but this indian team has a world class bowling attack as well. So Smith's saffers will not be able to draw here imo.

Anyway s.africa are lucky bumrah dint even play in this recent match otherwise they wouldn't have been able to get the 400 plus score in the first innings which sort of made the loss more respectable.

bumrah actually knows how to reverse swing like shami except he is even more potent.

 

[andy0204]

there were also reports about steyn ball tampering. steyn is a great player no doubt but this indian team has a world class bowling attack as well. So Smith's saffers will not be able to draw here imo.

Anyway s.africa are lucky bumrah dint even play in this recent match otherwise they wouldn't have been able to get the 400 plus score in the first innings which sort of made the loss more respectable.

bumrah actually knows how to reverse swing like shami except he is even more potent.

Given that bumrah has suspectable action which he needs to work otherwise he will have to deal with injuries.

 

[Mesozoic]

better than Smith's saffers for sure. Smith's saffers would not draw against this indian side either. They had a great team in 2015 and still got spanked 3 0.

Smith's South Africa ? Are you serious ?

They beat GOAT Australia in Australia , England in England (2012 when England were no.1 test team) , drawn two series in India and were the best travelling team of that time.

Kohli's team would do well to even get closer to the level of Smith's saffers.

 

[andy0204]

Smith's South Africa ? Are you serious ?

They beat GOAT Australia in Australia , England in England (2012 when England were no.1 test team) , drawn two series in India and were the best travelling team of that time.

Kohli's team would do well to even get closer to the level of Smith's saffers.

GOAT Australia that's wrong,that team were not having Langer, McGrath, Gilchrist,Warne
Hayden was on his last legs.

 

[tyron_woodley]

Smith's South Africa ? Are you serious ?

They beat GOAT Australia in Australia , England in England (2012 when England were no.1 test team) , drawn two series in India and were the best travelling team of that time.

Kohli's team would do well to even get closer to the level of Smith's saffers.

that was a depleted australia devoid of all their stars or were declining.

this team of kohli hasn't lost a single game away from home when they have won the toss. kohli's india is invincible at home. I don't see saffers beating this indian team. But with the current bowling attack I can easily see this team compete well in s.africa particularly if they win the toss.

btw s.africa also lost at home to australua twice something which won't happen under kohli. They even lost to England at home.

 

[tyron_woodley]

Given that bumrah has suspectable action which he needs to work otherwise he will have to deal with injuries.

nope his action is clean. he has flexible wrists and hyperextension when releasing the ball.

 

[andy0204]

nope his action is clean. he has flexible wrists and hyperextension when releasing the ball.

Iam not telling that he is chucking,but his action seems to be injury prone.

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

No he isn't a good captain, he is recieving tips from Ms dhoni during session breaks.

Its almost certain that we"ll be there at lords fighting for the WTC.

 

[Ozymandiasza]

better than Smith's saffers for sure. Smith's saffers would not draw against this indian side either. They had a great team in 2015 and still got spanked 3 0.

Better than Smith's team?! LOL! Smith's team didn't lose away from home for almost a decade. India loses just about every away tour.

 

[Ozymandiasza]

that was a depleted australia devoid of all their stars or were declining.

this team of kohli hasn't lost a single game away from home when they have won the toss. kohli's india is invincible at home. I don't see saffers beating this indian team. But with the current bowling attack I can easily see this team compete well in s.africa particularly if they win the toss.

btw s.africa also lost at home to australua twice something which won't happen under kohli. They even lost to England at home.

What irrelevant tripe. Some of these new posters...

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

Better than Smith's team?! LOL! Smith's team didn't lose away from home for almost a decade. India loses just about every away tour.

This team isn't better than smiths, but it surely is the best team in the world.
The next overseas cycle will determine whether this team gets to ATG status or remain as just the best of this era.

 

[tyron_woodley]

Better than Smith's team?! LOL! Smith's team didn't lose away from home for almost a decade. India loses just about every away tour.

but they lost at home 3 times. India never lost at home under kohli.

 

[tyron_woodley]

What irrelevant tripe. Some of these new posters...

how is that tripe? when kohli has won the toss, he hasn't lost away from home, at home, in mars and wherever he chooses to play. So if Smith's team was facing this bowling attack of india they will struggle if kohli wins the toss in particular. This isn't your mediocre indian bowling attack. They are ruthless. Much fitter faster and stronger than ever before.

I am not saying they would beat s.africa in s.africs but it would be very competitive and toss would play a huge factor.

At home I have no doubt this indian team would beat Smith's saffers.

 

[Ozymandiasza]

Losing at home to Australia (we use to consistently lose at home to them), and England is meaningless when the pitches, and contests, were as they were. We faced peak Johnson on SA pitches etc.

Your post about the toss is tripe because it says more about the toss than the Indian team. They are by many measures not as good as Smith's SA. The current India lost to a FAR inferior team the last time they toured SA.

In summary, that SA team is consired ATG for a reason. However, India is the current no. 1 team, no question.

 

[tyron_woodley]

Losing at home to Australia (we use to consistently lose at home to them), and England is meaningless when the pitches, and contests, were as they were. We faced peak Johnson on SA pitches etc.

Your post about the toss is tripe because it says more about the toss than the Indian team. They are by many measures not as good as Smith's SA. The current India lost to a FAR inferior team the last time they toured SA.

In summary, that SA team is consired ATG for a reason. However, India is the current no. 1 team, no question.

So? peak Johnson lol. he had like one good series vs englsnd. He was not as good as cummins whom the current indian team actually faced and did well against.

Doesnt matter if they lost away but Smith's saffers won't beat india in India. Kohli won't lose to any all time great team at home Its their fortress.

I have no doubt that Smith's saffers are world class but a series between current India and them would be very close to call because unlike before this indian team has a world class bowling attack. 2011 was a great series which was a draw and in that series india had a far weaker bowling attack wirh ageing players past their prime and they did exceptionally well despite being fatigued from the triumphant world cup campaign.

Toss would play a huge factor? again how the he'll is it tripe rofl. Toss makes a difference in s.africa and England. It's a fact.

yes I agree with the notion that a great team should be able to negate the toss factor and that's something kohli needs to work on. This is where saffers had the advantage but india is too strong at home.

Smith's saffers still lost a bunch of series at home.

 

[Ozymandiasza]

So? peak Johnson lol. he had like one good series vs englsnd. He was not as good as cummins whom the current indian team actually faced and did well against.

Doesnt matter if they lost away but Smith's saffers won't beat india in India. Kohli won't lose to any all time great team at home Its their fortress.

I have no doubt that Smith's saffers are world class but a series between current India and them would be very close to call because unlike before this indian team has a world class bowling attack. 2011 was a great series which was a draw and in that series india had a far weaker bowling attack wirh ageing players past their prime and they did exceptionally well despite being fatigued from the triumphant world cup campaign.

Toss would play a huge factor? again how the he'll is it tripe rofl. Toss makes a difference in s.africa and England. It's a fact.

yes I agree with the notion that a great team should be able to negate the toss factor and that's something kohli needs to work on. This is where saffers had the advantage but india is too strong at home.

Smith's saffers still lost a bunch of series at home.

Did you even see Johnson's purple patch? He was no laughing matter.

The backtracking of your boasting is quite funny.

 

[tyron_woodley]

Did you even see Johnson's purple patch? He was no laughing matter.

The backtracking of your boasting is quite funny.

not boasting. just stating facts. I don't see Smith's s.africw beating virat's india in India or even drawing. I do see virat's india competing well vs Smith's saffers in s.africa with the current bowling attack. Can they win? I don't know. Depends on toss because toss matters in s.africa.

If kohli's india continues to dominate at home without losing a series then it's better than what Smith's saffers ever achieved despite the away results as Smith's saffers have lost at home.

 

[andy0204]

not boasting. just stating facts. I don't see Smith's s.africw beating virat's india in India or even drawing. I do see virat's india competing well vs Smith's saffers in s.africa with the current bowling attack. Can they win? I don't know. Depends on toss because toss matters in s.africa.

If kohli's india continues to dominate at home without losing a series then it's better than what Smith's saffers ever achieved despite the away results as Smith's saffers have lost at home.

Going by your logic even Azharuddins India never lost a test series at home so does it mean Azharuddin is a better captain?

 

[tyron_woodley]

Going by your logic even Azharuddins India never lost a test series at home so does it mean Azharuddin is a better captain?

unfortunately Virat's india already beat australia away though. azhar's india barely won a test match away from home. Can't compare his team to Virat's india.

Virat's india competes well with s.africa away, beat australia etc. We shall see how they fare vs n.z away.

If it's so easy to dominate at home then why has every other team lost test series at home then? it's not easy. Give credit to this formidable indian side.

People are just salty for no reason. If virat wins in England and s.africa away this indian team could be in contention for GOAT test team. I would take another series win over australia away however over winning in englsnd anyday.

 

[Jeetlodil]

India has become a good side under Kohli but in the same breath India has also become a boring side to watch. Personally, none of the series generate any interest. Only good sight is Rohit batting.

 

[tyron_woodley]

India has become a good side under Kohli but in the same breath India has also become a boring side to watch. Personally, none of the series generate any interest. Only good sight is Rohit batting.

don't watch then. go watch t20. india doesn't need fans like you.

 

[geraltofrivia]

Better than Smith's team?! LOL! Smith's team didn't lose away from home for almost a decade. India loses just about every away tour.

they lost two series away from home - SA and Eng. That is less than the no of home series SA lost under Smith. They have won everywhere else - SL twice where Smith's team never managed to win, Oz, WI twice.

 

[jagatk]

Losing at home to Australia (we use to consistently lose at home to them), and England is meaningless when the pitches, and contests, were as they were. We faced peak Johnson on SA pitches etc.

Your post about the toss is tripe because it says more about the toss than the Indian team. They are by many measures not as good as Smith's SA. The current India lost to a FAR inferior team the last time they toured SA.

In summary, that SA team is consired ATG for a reason. However, India is the current no. 1 team, no question.

But the fact remains you lost. England beat you, Aussies beat you multiple times, we held you to a drawn series. You cannot claim to be a great side with the home record you had. And about facing good bowlers, isn't that the test of good teams? We faced warne and murali and neither could win in a series in india until injuries and internal politics screwed us against Aussies for that 1 series. Even in that series it wasn't warne who them the games.

 

[sweep_shot]

India should remain #1 for a while. Some of the other teams are being quite average.

 

[Joseph Gomes]

I don't see any teaming dethroning India any time soon. Granted they're nowhere as good as Australia of 2000s but that doesn't invalidate their ranking in any way. No.1 means best in the world, not greatest of all time.

Reason India won't be dethroned is easy, they're guaranteed to win/whitewash opposition in Ind, SL, Ban and WI, and win at least 1 match in Eng, Aus and SA (dunno about NZ). All other teams lose most of their away series.

Until any other team is 100% guaranteed in at least 4 countries, they will not be no.1 any time soon.

India are not jack of all trades, but they're the best in what they do (making use of favourable conditions). There's way too much competition within SENA teams (SA regularly won matches in Eng and Aus, and vice versa) for a concrete no.1 ranking. Australia is the only SENA team to even remotely have some home advantage.

 

[andy0204]

If India wins the series in Nz then I will accept them as no 1.

 

[Swashbuckler]

Did you even see Johnson's purple patch? He was no laughing matter.

The backtracking of your boasting is quite funny.

Between the series defeats in Sri Lanka, 2006 and India, 2015 that SA test team was special. They won everywhere (multiple times in some countries) except in India where they played the formidable home side to 2 scintillating drawn series. As an Indian fan, the India-SA contests in those 4-5 years were enthralling stuff, ending with an epic draw in Cape Town, 2011. Some Indian fans here may be new converts to test cricket or are simply carried away to analyze logically. That SA team was truly ATG, half the team full of greats and 2 of them, Kallis and Steyn who would be in the GOAT discussion for their respective roles. I wouldn't place them in the category of the past WI and Aus teams because they were vulnerable at home, often dropping tests to far inferior teams. Not ruthless enough either, one can say they underachieved, they should have been #1 for a lot longer than the 40 months they managed.

This Indian team has taken home domination to the next level, and almost invincible in Asian conditions, also in WI. But they aren't ATG yet, if they can continue this home domination for a few more years and do well in the next overseas cycle, a couple of series wins in SENA and a draw, something like that then maybe we can put Kohli's team at an ATG pedestal. Now is not the time. This unit has ability, potential, bench strength and most bases covered, our team management and BCCI are not up to the mark.

 

[Mesozoic]

If India wins the series in Nz then I will accept them as no 1.

It's okay. No need for your acceptance. We have ICC rankings, thank you.

 

[andy0204]

It's okay. No need for your acceptance. We have ICC rankings, thank you.

It's my opinion why you are getting so obsessed?

 

[Ab Fan]

India have clearly been the undisputed no.1 test team since 2016 and considering that this reign is no longer a short term one, we should start acknowledging this dominance of Indian cricket.

We have been ranked no.1 team in past as well and have been excellent in patches, whether it was in 70s or 00s but this period is turning out to be long lived.

A quality Australian side came to India and were defeated easily even after going 0-1 in the second test, result being 2-1 while the rest of the top teams of this era have been smashed at home as they have struggled to draw games let alone winning a match or drawing a series.

New Zealand have been a much improved side in this decade but still got smashed 0-3 when they travelled India.

If India can maintain this reign for another circle of the overseas tour, they will be up there only behind or competing with Windies 80s and 00s Australians.

 

[Mean&Green]

India have clearly been the undisputed no.1 test team since 2016 and considering that this reign is no longer a short term one, we should start acknowledging this dominance of Indian cricket.

We have been ranked no.1 team in past as well and have been excellent in patches, whether it was in 70s or 00s but this period is turning out to be long lived.

A quality Australian side came to India and were defeated easily even after going 0-1 in the second test, result being 2-1 while the rest of the top teams of this era have been smashed at home as they have struggled to draw games let alone winning a match or drawing a series.

New Zealand have been a much improved side in this decade but still got smashed 0-3 when they travelled India.

If India can maintain this reign for another circle of the overseas tour, they will be up there only behind or competing with Windies 80s and 00s Australians.

There’s no dominance if you go to England and get battered 4-1 and also South Africa 2-1 and the Australia series I can give credit to India for somewhat even though they didn’t have smith or warner which is like 70% of the team. Dominance is Australia of 2000s where they went everywhere and conquered not like India put ashwin in a indian pitch and he’ll take 20 wickets take him to England and he’ll get 0 wickets and go for 200 runs.

 

[Mesozoic]

There’s no dominance if you go to England and get battered 4-1 and also South Africa 2-1 and the Australia series I can give credit to India for somewhat even though they didn’t have smith or warner which is like 70% of the team. Dominance is Australia of 2000s where they went everywhere and conquered not like India put ashwin in a indian pitch and he’ll take 20 wickets take him to England and he’ll get 0 wickets and go for 200 runs.

Agree. We can't really say India is "dominating". All we can say is India are doing better than all others competing and I guess that's enough to be no.1.

 

[Ab Fan]

There’s no dominance if you go to England and get battered 4-1 and also South Africa 2-1 and the Australia series I can give credit to India for somewhat even though they didn’t have smith or warner which is like 70% of the team. Dominance is Australia of 2000s where they went everywhere and conquered not like India put ashwin in a indian pitch and he’ll take 20 wickets take him to England and he’ll get 0 wickets and go for 200 runs.

But India did defeated a quality Australian side at home as well in 2017 when they came up with so much of preparation and after making changes in the playing XI picking batters who can play spin very well,yet ended up losing the series 1-2. Apart from that team, every other team came up to India and were smashed, not a single more win and hardly 2-3 draws,one due to rain.

The reign is getting longer now and if this continues for 3-4 more years at no.1 spot, it's right up there IMO.

 

[ManFan]

Test team of the 2010’s.

 

[tyron_woodley]

There’s no dominance if you go to England and get battered 4-1 and also South Africa 2-1 and the Australia series I can give credit to India for somewhat even though they didn’t have smith or warner which is like 70% of the team. Dominance is Australia of 2000s where they went everywhere and conquered not like India put ashwin in a indian pitch and he’ll take 20 wickets take him to England and he’ll get 0 wickets and go for 200 runs.

not easy to dominate at home. If it's easy lot of teams would be unbeaten at home. Only india hasn't lost a series at home. That to me is a sign of greatness. India needs to win away in england though to prove that they can be compared to the w.indies of early 70s-80s.

Besides I don't rate Aussies of 2000. They fluked some series wins via cheating and were often lucky because there was no DRS at the time. They were getting favourable decisions.

Overrated test team. They are the GOAT odi team however.

South Africa's team under Smith's can easily challenge the Aussies of 2000.

 

[andy0204]

not easy to dominate at home. If it's easy lot of teams would be unbeaten at home. Only india hasn't lost a series at home. That to me is a sign of greatness. India needs to win away in england though to prove that they can be compared to the w.indies of early 70s-80s.

Besides I don't rate Aussies of 2000. They fluked some series wins via cheating and were often lucky because there was no DRS at the time. They were getting favourable decisions.

Overrated test team. They are the GOAT odi team however.

South Africa's team under Smith's can easily challenge the Aussies of 2000.

TBH every team gets advantage of home umpiring during that time so nothing to whine about it.
I already told even Azharuddin's India never lost a series at home so does it mean he is good captain?
The fact is India was already strong at home during 1990's till now only they lost 3 test series.

 

[jagatk]

TBH every team gets advantage of home umpiring during that time so nothing to whine about it.
I already told even Azharuddin's India never lost a series at home so does it mean he is good captain?
The fact is India was already strong at home during 1990's till now only they lost 3 test series.

India has been difficult to beat in a series but what kohli's done isn't just winning we are dominating teams. Azharuddin did not lose a series but he was held to a draw by both windies and pak teams. Kohli is whitewashing most teams and the ones which aren't whitewashed, india is still winning. No indian captain has an unblemished record in recent years like kohli does.

 

[andy0204]

India has been difficult to beat in a series but what kohli's done isn't just winning we are dominating teams. Azharuddin did not lose a series but he was held to a draw by both windies and pak teams. Kohli is whitewashing most teams and the ones which aren't whitewashed, india is still winning. No indian captain has an unblemished record in recent years like kohli does.

Still I think India underachieved considering board,money, infrastructure,talent.
To be no 1 you need to conquer the world .

 

[jagatk]

Still I think India underachieved considering board,money, infrastructure,talent.
To be no 1 you need to conquer the world .

Underachieving sure, but disagree with the no 1 thing. You need to be better than everyone else overall and we are. The conquer stuff works only if we are comparing India to windies teams of old or aussie 2000's team. I don't think we are as good as either of those.

 

[Mean&Green]

But India did defeated a quality Australian side at home as well in 2017 when they came up with so much of preparation and after making changes in the playing XI picking batters who can play spin very well,yet ended up losing the series 1-2. Apart from that team, every other team came up to India and were smashed, not a single more win and hardly 2-3 draws,one due to rain.

The reign is getting longer now and if this continues for 3-4 more years at no.1 spot, it's right up there IMO.

India are the best team for sure but like dominance that comes with time beating everyone everywhere they are even though despite that the best team right now overall that is for sure

 

[geraltofrivia]

Still I think India underachieved considering board,money, infrastructure,talent.
To be no 1 you need to conquer the world .

india is still a poor country. as it becomes richer it will happen. the process is already underway.

 

[Virat_Kohli_fan]

Since 2015 India have -

Best overall W/L - 3.4, next best NZ - 1.6
Best Home W/L - 18.0, next best NZ - 4.3
Best Away W/L - 1.6, next best Aus - 0.8
Best familiar condition W/L(SC for SC teams , non-SC for non-SC teams, WI excluded) - 11.5, next best SA - 2.1
Second Best unfamiliar condition W/L (Non-SC for SC teams , SC for non-SC teams, WI excluded) - 0.57 , best NZ - 0.6

The only thing standing between them and an ATG team status is failing to grab the big moments in the England series.

 

[Cricketrenew]

To obtain ATG status you have to beat everyone even diabolical teams such as Pakistan.
You cannot be ATG without beating all your peers including Pak and Eng home and Away.
India are possibly the best team currently but they are not better than the West Indies of the 70's, 80's.
Or Australia of the 90's 00's. If they had a more varied bowling attack then they would be best, they are lacking in some conditions. A great leg spinner and maybe one 90+ great pace bowler then they would be in greats league after beating all teams home and away.

Otherwise its like winning a world series in America....without playing the world.

Currently international standard of play is below par of previous generations from all countries as the quality of players has gone down.

 

[tyron_woodley]

To obtain ATG status you have to beat everyone even diabolical teams such as Pakistan.
You cannot be ATG without beating all your peers including Pak and Eng home and Away.
India are possibly the best team currently but they are not better than the West Indies of the 70's, 80's.
Or Australia of the 90's 00's. If they had a more varied bowling attack then they would be best, they are lacking in some conditions. A great leg spinner and maybe one 90+ great pace bowler then they would be in greats league after beating all teams home and away.

Otherwise its like winning a world series in America....without playing the world.

Currently international standard of play is below par of previous generations from all a serious,,a serious x,, as the quality of players has gone down.

India's bowling attack is world class. They just need to fix their opener spot for away conditions in England and n.z. Shaw is coming back. Let's see if he is the man for the role. India would still dominate those teams in SC conditions. Will theey win away is the question. They need to learn how to negate toss in England and australia.

Nope. Quality of bowlers are just as good as what it was back in the days. Players are fitter and have access to better nutrition etc. You can't compare eras. Aussies of 2000 were overrated. They won many series due to no DRS and favourable decisions.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Since 2015 India have -

Best overall W/L - 3.4, next best NZ - 1.6
Best Home W/L - 18.0, next best NZ - 4.3
Best Away W/L - 1.6, next best Aus - 0.8
Best familiar condition W/L(SC for SC teams , non-SC for non-SC teams, WI excluded) - 11.5, next best SA - 2.1
Second Best unfamiliar condition W/L (Non-SC for SC teams , SC for non-SC teams, WI excluded) - 0.57 , best NZ - 0.6

The only thing standing between them and an ATG team status is failing to grab the big moments in the England series.

India's home W/L under Kohli has been at a freak level.

18 LOL )

Next best 4.3

 

[jnaveen1980]

Since 2015 India have -

Best overall W/L - 3.4, next best NZ - 1.6
Best Home W/L - 18.0, next best NZ - 4.3
Best Away W/L - 1.6, next best Aus - 0.8
Best familiar condition W/L(SC for SC teams , non-SC for non-SC teams, WI excluded) - 11.5, next best SA - 2.1
Second Best unfamiliar condition W/L (Non-SC for SC teams , SC for non-SC teams, WI excluded) - 0.57 , best NZ - 0.6

The only thing standing between them and an ATG team status is failing to grab the big moments in the England series.

That 1-4 is such a poor reflection of the actual performance of India. India did far better than 1-4. Dhawan's drop proved us costly. Despite the toss loss in all 5 tests, India was in a winning position in 3 tests even after 3 days.

 

[Hasan123]

Of course India are not as good as the West Indies team of the 70s and 80s, or the Australian team of the early 2000s. But how many teams will ever be that good lol? It is really stupid and unfair to compare a team with teams who only come around once in a lifetime.

India are the best team in this era. If they can maintain their ranking and win the test championship, they will be the greatest Indian test team imo. That is still a very good achievement as India are a elite cricketing nation. Kohli will surely finish as India’s greatest test captain.

 

[tyron_woodley]

Of course India are not as good as the West Indies team of the 70s and 80s, or the Australian team of the early 2000s. But how many teams will ever be that good lol? It is really stupid and unfair to compare a team with teams who only come around once in a lifetime.

India are the best team in this era. If they can maintain their ranking and win the test championship, they will be the greatest Indian test team imo. That is still a very good achievement as India are a elite cricketing nation. Kohli will surely finish as India’s greatest test captain.

if india continue to maintain their dominance at home and draw away vs top teams then it's enough to put them above Aussies of 2000.

 

[Hasan123]

if india continue to maintain their dominance at home and draw away vs top teams then it's enough to put them above Aussies of 2000.

That Australian team had6/7 greats of the game. Don't see India being as good as them.

 

[tyron_woodley]

That Australian team had6/7 greats of the game. Don't see India being as good as them.

India have a world class bowling attack which they lacked at the time. India have more than good enough batsmen to beat them. This indian team would spank the 2000 era aussie team at home. So much fitter, faster and stronger now.

Away we know Aussies are good at their home too but this indian side can give them a good run with the current bowling attack. Toss would matter in australia.

 

[Cricketrenew]

India's bowling attack is world class. They just need to fix their opener spot for away conditions in England and n.z. Shaw is coming back. Let's see if he is the man for the role. India would still dominate those teams in SC conditions. Will theey win away is the question. They need to learn how to negate toss in England and australia.

Nope. Quality of bowlers are just as good as what it was back in the days. Players are fitter and have access to better nutrition etc. You can't compare eras. Aussies of 2000 were overrated. They won many series due to no DRS and favourable decisions.

India does not have variety, India's bowling can live up to the Windies in the 80's, I agree Australia had lots of umpiring help in the 90's but can't be denied is that with Warne, MCcrath and Lee they also had a better attack than India.

This is the current line of Indian bowlers (below). Could they win a match if they only had 200 on the board. I would say no. Good team currently the best as all other teams have declined but India not ATG. Away from home generally they do struggle because of lack of variety in bowling. In swinging conditions their batsmen are found wanting, Kohli is stand out player though.

Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravindra Jadeja
Ishant Sharma
Umesh Yadav
Mohammed Shami

 

[BreadPakoda]

if india continue to maintain their dominance at home and draw away vs top teams then it's enough to put them above Aussies of 2000.

This is a genuine question - when did you start watching cricket?

 

[Torborg]

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.

I disagree.

The 80s to mid 90s Windies teams and mid 90s to mid 2000s Australian teams were the exceptions rather than the norm.

The SA side of the 2000s on were very strong and the current Indian team are also very strong.

 

[Torborg]

India should remain #1 for a while. Some of the other teams are being quite average.

I agree. They're a significantly better test team than the rest for now and the foreseeable future.

 

[Torborg]

India have a world class bowling attack which they lacked at the time. India have more than good enough batsmen to beat them. This indian team would spank the 2000 era aussie team at home. So much fitter, faster and stronger now.

Away we know Aussies are good at their home too but this indian side can give them a good run with the current bowling attack. Toss would matter in australia.

The 2019 Indian team would have a lot of trouble defeating the early 2000's Indian team on Indian decks. My personal opinion is that the early 2000's team would have the edge due to their vastly superior batting lineup.