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Interesting factoid of the day

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Aakash Chopra, writing on the TMS Blog, writes (via),

In this millennium, India have won more Tests away from home (16) than any other country apart from Australia (26) in the same period.

Interesting. But how many of these have come in series that India has won? I would say (without going to Statsguru for reference) that this number is either 3 or 4. And if I remember right, most of these wins have come either in test no. 1 or 2 of a 3 (or) 4 match series.

Why do we win one and lose the rest? Complacency? That’s the most obvious answer.

While I think that this will be fact of choice for Team India’s ardent supporters for some months to come (incl. me), I’d be happier to quote the number of series wins as my reason to support this Indian team.

As for Aakash Chopra, his dropping continues to irk. Sure, Jaffer has his occasional monster score, but Chopra tended to inspire more confidence. And also the context of a Chopra innings is different. I think even with a test average of 23, he did quite well, considering that the man at the other end was Sehwag playing a swashbuckling innings. So to me, Chopra remains a “what if”.

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3 Responses to “Interesting factoid of the day”

  1. Deepa http://lordlabak.blogspot.com

    Ennamo po, karthik is anotehr Pathan in the making - ask them ignore their specialised duty and concentrate on batting and then they disappear one fine day.

  2. Pri http://bengloorgirlindenver.blogspot.com/

    Absolutely! chopra was solid at one end and along with sehwag made a really interesting postive opening combination. plus he was a brilliant close in fielder and when people quote averages they have to rememeber he only played a fewe series and one was against australia in australia. i say bring him back already!

  3. superstarksa http://superstarksa.com

    Pri:

    i say bring him back already!

    I was going to suggest that, but to substantiate my opinion, I need more time and space. To bring Chopra back in would mean much more than just dropping an opener (or two). Now, IMHO, it kinda ties in to what Deepa said in the comment above yours as well.

    Deepa:

    Ennamo po, karthik is anotehr Pathan in the making

    Or something along those lines, at least. But I agree. I have long felt that core competency is a concept alien to the Indian cricket team. *sigh*