Last Match Loss Syndrome

It's happened twice now within a 60 day window. Mahendra Singh Dhoni's unstoppable Indians have faltered at the last hurdle and missed brownwash opportunities against the Sri Lankans and now the Kiwis. Against England in November 2008, they had managed a clean slate partly by default-the last two games were cancelled following the Mumbai carnage giving India a 5-0 series win.

Most commentators have lamented this inability without making much of the losses in the end. Reason- every Indian fan is overwhelmed at the quality of cricket played by the Indians in recent months. For some like Sanjay Manjrekar a 4-0 win looks really good on paper, which, it indeed does and helps remember the performance better some years hence. For Ravi Shastri the performance like the one in Auckland simply defies logic.

Just as with most things, there's a flip side to this argument. Rather, one can surely see positives in the last game loss syndrome. In Sri Lanka, the Indians quickly recovered from the shock defeat and won a hard fought T-20 fixture that went right down to the wire. In New Zealand, if they come back once again to win the Test series starting three days from now, none will complain about the inconsequential loss in Auckland. May be such losses are a timely reminder that the Indians, playing the best cricket they have ever played, should not turn complacent.

On the other hand, India, in their own interests, may well want to do their best to shed off this last match gift syndrome. Inconsequential matches have every bit the potential to give a vanquished side the necessary oxygen it needs to stage a comeback. Australia versus South Africa in Australia in January is a classic example. Down and almost out, that one Mitchell Johnson delivery in Sydney with 4.3 overs of the match remaining, which nailed an injured Graeme Smith, was enough to give the Australians the lifeline they so badly needed. The belief was back. And Johnson, post that delivery, is a transformed bowler, one who can aspire to the mantle of the best in the world on current form. His first spell against South Africa at Durban was simply unplayable and if an inconsequential victory can do this to a team, it is time Dhoni's India learns its lesson as soon as possible.

Not without reason is it suggested that winning is a habit and once you have your opponent on the mat, you should strive to keep him there.

In view of this rather tantalising scenario, the forthcoming Test series will be one of immense interest. Having beaten the Australians and the English, the Indians will be that bit desperate to win another Test series in New Zealand after forty two years. If they accomplish the mission they have set out to achieve, they will surely be in the reckoning to be labelled the number one international cricket side on form in all formats of the game.

Finally, an Indian victory in the Test series will also put to rest all my theories over a last game loss.

Can't wait for the action to begin.