Modi writes to PM, says UPA trying to destabilise Gujarat govt
A proud India came to England as the number one Test side in the world. After a month of listless cricket, which culminated in their third straight Test loss on Saturday, they have been knocked off their perch in the most comprehensive manner imaginable. England’s innings and 242-run win in the third Test at Edgbaston on Saturday, inside four days, propelled Andrew Strauss’s men to the top of the tree.The hosts needed to win the four-match series by two clear Tests and they are already up 3-0, with a whitewash very much in sight. When the rankings come out officially at the end of the series, England will have 124 points. India’s position on the chart will depend on what transpires at The Oval, in the final Test starting on Thursday. If they manage to avoid a defeat, India will be ranked second, just ahead of South Africa.Not since the 1999-2000 tour of Australia, when a Sachin Tendulkar-led side was hammered 3-0 in a three-Test rubber, have India been given such a hiding. It’s been an annihilation by the home team, whose hunger and drive to climb to the top was way stronger than India’s intent and effort to stay there. Of course, England have a fitter side and conditions suited them. But the manner in which Mahendra Singh Dhoni and company have surrendered without a fight has been embarrassing.India’s batsmen clearly had no answer to the swing, seam and bounce the English attack generated. Only Rahul Dravid showed the skill and temperament to tackle difficult conditions with centuries in the first two Tests, while the rest haven’t quite measured up.“By not playing to their potential, India have devalued this highly anticipated series,” said former West Indian bowling great Michael Holding.Holding, now a commentator, couldn’t have been closer to the truth. It was an appalling sight to see India’s performance take a plunge with every Test. It began with a 196-run drubbing at Lord’s, a 319-run defeat at Trent Bridge and now a loss by an innings. [More]Tags:narendra modimanmohan singhp chidambaramrahul sharma