India's embarrassing loss in the first two Tests against England has raised the question if this team is actually the No. 1 in Test cricket. Harsha Bhogle, Maninder Singh, Pradeep Magazine and Shishir Hattangadi tell about what they feel is wrong and what's the way forward for Indian cricket.
Harsha Bhogle
"They've looked No. 1 only in patches. The match (second Test) turned when they went from 267/4 to 288 all out. But the Test will be remembered for day three when England scored more than 400 runs. If you want to be at the top, you have to be a top bowling side.
"We expect a little more from this side. They've got to pick themselves up. They need to set small goals. They have got to make the right choices going in there. Good sides don't become bad overnight and the seven-day break (before the third Test) will help them," said Harsha.
He was also critical about Dhoni's role as a captain and a player.
"I often believe you make you luck by you judgement. He was never a good wicketkeeper and he is struggling here. And it has coincided with his bad form with the bat."
Maninder Singh
Maninder was of the opinion that India haven't beaten the top sides to deserve the No. 1 tag.
"We have played most of our cricket in India. We beat New Zealand (in New Zealand) and West Indies (in West Indies), which are the weaker teams. Against South Africa (in South Africa), we drew the series and we haven't won in Australia."
The former left-arm spinner was in particular critical about Harbhajan Singh's commitment.
"I think Harbhajan shyed away from bowling in the second innings (of the second Test). If he had an injury and couldn't bowl, then how did he bat? I think he doesn't believe he can take wickets on batting tracks. The belief is missing."
Pradeep Magazine
The cricket analyst didn't feel India was as dominant as No. 1 teams of the past.
"We aren't the dominant type of teams like Australia or like West Indies was. The two big worries are: is Test cricket our priority and do we have the benchstrength to remain No. 1."
He also felt that the scheduling of the IPL straight after the World Cup prevented India from sending a full-strength squad to the West Indies.
"We should have gone to the West Indies full strength and demolished them so that we are better prepared for England."
Shishir Hattangadi
Hattangadi - a former Mumbai captain - opined that a losing team has exposed MS Dhoni's weaknesses.
"We've got to accept that Dhoni is no longer an alchemist. Your form doesn't matter when the team is winning but eyebrows are raised when the team starts losing. I don't think India have the technique to be No. 1."
India are 0-2 down in the four-Test series against England, with the third match starting at Edgbaston from August 10. In between, India have a two-day practice game against Northamptonshire to iron out the flaws and test the fitness of Zaheer Khan, Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag, who has flown in to join the squad for the third Test.
