Lethargic India Look Ill-Equipped to Defend World Cup

When Muhammad Ali fought George Foreman in Zaire back in 1974, he used a technique famously branded “rope-a-dope” to upset the odds and become world champion again.

A heavy underdog against a bigger, more powerful puncher, Ali lured his previously undefeated opponent into a trap. Leaning back and with his guard held high, he withstood constant punishment as he allowed Foreman to punch himself out.

In the end, The People's Champion was the one who delivered the knockout blow, stunning not just Foreman but the sporting world. 

There is a case to suggest that India’s cricket team might be doing something similar to their rivals—and the media—right now. Either that, or the defence of their World Cup crown could be rather disappointing.

Defeat to England at the WACA on Friday ended India’s involvement in the Carlton Mid One-Day International Tri Series.

It was, in truth, a rather forgettable experience for India.

They did threaten to sucker punch England after being bowled out for 200 on a Perth pitch that started tacky at the toss and offered variable bounce throughout.

However, half-centuries from James Taylor and Jos Buttler saw Eoin Morgan's side over the line.

In the end, India might be rather thankful they do not have to play in Sunday’s final (particularly as it will be played on the same surface at the WACA).

Instead, they can rest their weary bodies after a long, arduous tour to Australia that saw them finish with the sum total of zero wins. Their efforts have taken a toll, and a break might be better than another match.

It should really come as no surprise that India have looked a little lethargic in the one-dayers. After all, their schedule over the past 12 months has been ridiculously tough.

They were in New Zealand in February 2014, participated in the Asia Cup in March, then quickly moved on to the ICC World Twenty20. A tour to England followed, during which they played in five Tests, five one-dayers and a solitary T20 fixture. 

There was a brief return home before travelling to Australia but little time to rest, as they hosted both West Indies and Sri Lanka in ODI action.

The death of Phillip Hughes prior to the Test series in Australia led to the four-match series for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy becoming even more condensed. They fought hard, but went down 2-0.

The performances of Virat Kohli with the bat at least gave India's fanatical support something to cheer.

The runs dried up, though, after swapping his whites for India's all-blue one-day strip.

Kohli scored 692 in Test action at an average of 86.50—he managed 24 in four innings in 50-over cricket.

The manner of his dismissal against England in the final round-robin match suggested a frazzled mind, as well as body. He picked out Joe Root at long-off with such precision that the fielder barely had to move to take the catch off Moeen Ali's bowling.

Paul Kane/Getty Images

Shikhar Dhawan did fare better than Kohli in the series. He managed a grand total of 49 runs in four trips to the middle. Since the start of 2014, the left-hander has averaged 64.50 on home soil in 50-over cricket, per ESPN Cricinfo, compared to 27.40 overseas.

His form is a major concern heading into the World Cup, as it leaves India with a selection dilemma over the opening berth.

Ajinkya Rahane could replace the struggling Dhawan. India initially used him in the series at three, with Kohli at four. Whoever is chosen for the role, it will have ramifications for the entire batting order. 

Rohit Sharma is a certainty to start, fitness permitting. He made 138 in India’s loss to Australia at Melbourne but did not play again in the triangular tournament due to a nagging hamstring injury, per India Today. 

With Suresh Raina another player out of sorts and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni scoring at an uncharacteristically slow strike rate of 56.45, India’s star-studded lineup looks a little fragile right now.

That is worrying, considering batting is viewed as their major strength.

Their bowling, in contrast, was always seen as more of a question mark. They lack a real wicket-taking threat and cannot be as reliant on their spinners as they would be if playing on the slow, low pitches they are accustomed to at home.

Stuart Binny—an all-rounder—finished as their leading bowler in the series with four wickets. No one else managed more than two.

With that being said, leading spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and reliable seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar played sparingly in the tournament.

Ishant Sharma managed one appearance but did not send down a single delivery. Dhoni declared the seamer fit to feature before the rained-off game against Australia, per India Blooms, yet Sharma was then absent from the team that played England four days later.

His lack of match action is one of a number of major concerns for India, who begin their World Cup campaign against fierce rivals Pakistan on Feb. 15.

The fixture list sees them then face South Africa, though things do get a little easier for them in Pool B.

They finish the group stages in New Zealand with games against Ireland and Zimbabwe. They may be glad by then just to get out of Australia, even if it is only by making the short trip across the Tasman Sea.

Still, perhaps Dhoni's squad are just luring us all in. Just as Ali proved in the “Rumble In The Jungle,” you write a proven heavyweight off at your peril.

They may be on the ropes right now, but you can expect India to come out swinging in the World Cup.