Cricket - Shift in world order

As I was to begin my blogging journey, different topics and issues went through my mind and then I realized what better to start with other than cricket. I have been watching and playing cricket since I was a child.  I have one regret that I couldnot play it professionally because of my studies, but then its fine, if everybody will play then there will be no audience.

There is a very interesting thing going in around the world cricket at the moment as to who is the next numero uno or cricketing super power. The crown once held by the mighty West Indians during the 70's and early 80's and then by the dominating Aussies till 2008 is out in the open. The dominance of Australians till 2008 was such that no team came closer to the top slots during that period. They dominated world cricket for nearly two decades and not only won most of their home and away series but consistently won all the major tournaments that includes three back to back world cups. 

Its not that the other teams did not do well during this time but they lacked consistency. The power order changed after the retirement of Australia's bowling greats Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath. The first sign of change was seen when an young Indian side led by a dynamic MS Dhoni won the inaugral T20 world cup. India then went to Australia in 2007-08 to play four test and the one day series (last edition of the famous summer tri series). The Indians with some fine performances from the old warhorses Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman and some scintillating bowling by Zaheer Khan, Bhajji, Ishant and co. if not won the test series, but surely the hearts. With the sydney test being one of the most controversial test as the indians were bowled out on the 5th day, the Indians lost the test series by 2-1. The Indians then outsmarted the Aussies in the one day triseries in Jan'09, that also included Sri lankans. A hundred by the little champion in the first final followed by a 91 in the second final of the VB Series laid the foundation for the victories.

When India was at one part of the world dominating the Cricketing superpower at the other part South Africa was in a rampant mood defeating its opponents in every format. They defeated the Englishmen in their own backyard and went on to thrash both Bangladesh and Pakistan in the subcontinent. They even drew the test series in India with India winning the last test in a spinners paradise at Kanpur and making it 1-1. Indian then lost the test series in Sri lanka 2-1 as the famed Indian middle order was mauled by the mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis and the old magician Murlitharan. MS Dhoni who was not the part of the test series came back for the one dayers and saved further blushes by winning the one day series.

The real twist in the world order came when Australia came to play a four match test series in India in Oct-Nov'08 and were defeated 2-0. This series marked the end of two of India's most celebrated cricketers Anil Kumble and Saurav Ganguly. Indians then defeated england in the one dayers 5-0 and in the tests 1-0. 

South Africans on the other hand gave Australia its first test series defeat in Australia and became the first one to beat Australia in Australia in almost 25 years. They also won the one dayers 4-1 removing there chokers tag and displacing the Aussies from the ODI rankings. Indian went on to beat Srilanka in ODi series played in Srilanka by 4-1 and the also won the lone T20 match showing there dominance in the world cricket. New Zealand defeated Australia in first two ODI's and it helped the Indians to move to the 2nd ranking, but it was short lived as the Aussies won the next two ODI's and claimed back their second ranking.

Irrespective of the result of further matches till April'09, South Africa are on top in ODI rankings followed by the Aussies and the India at 3rd position. Australia have held their first position in the test rankings because of their past dominance but it would be very interesting to see if they can  hold it till next summer.

At one end where the Aussies are affected by the retirements of its stalwarts, on the other end young and aggressive Indians and Proteas are making their mark in Cricketing world.  And as the competition for the top slot is rising, it is making world cricket more appealing. This year surely saw the rise of two cricketing powers, India and South Africa and end of a truly emphatic era, The Australian Era. Lets see what's in store in for next year.