IPL ruins India

India’s horror test is over.

And with it goes any chance of defeating the South African’s this series.

Since the historic Waca test India have not won a test.

Sure they have only played 3, but why let the facts get in the way of a good story.

A lot of Indian fans were talking themselves up as the potential heir to the throne of world cricket, but right now, that looks as far away as it ever does/has.

South Africa has a very good stable of fast bowlers.

Steyn clearly has some issues, mostly related to his nationality, but the boy is fast, and so far, reasonably good.

Ntini is past his prime, but he is still a good bowler, and having Steyn around seems to have youthened him up a bit, bowling wise, not looks wise where he looks older than Morgan Freeman.

The Evil Morne Morkel is still not quite there, but there are signs he might be ok.

Throw in Zondeki and Nel (subject to bail restrictions) and there is a decent crop there.

However that is pretty much all thy have.

Their captain is an over achiever against modest attacks, but struggles against any team with good bowlers.

Their other opening batsman is a fill in.

Their next three batsmen, talent not with standing (Amla and Kallis have it, Prince not so much), would take whole day to take a match off you, and one of them is getting very old.

Their number six is still finding his feet after 40 tests.

Boucher seems to have lost a lot of the talent he was born with, and is now more a scrapper than a dasher.

And their spinner is a non event.

I know India are missing some players, but pound for pound on paper, they should not have lost this test, let alone by a margin so large.

An Ex wicket keeper from India believes it has something to do with the IPL.

I doubt that.

But I have no better suggestions right now, so IPL it is.

If like me you were impressed by the fact i could start bagging India and still really stick the boot into South Africa more, please sign here and send me to Wisden.www.cricketwithballs.com "Practice Sehwagology and kill the Probots"