Is it a period of decadence for the Indian cricket or international over-competition has worn out the players? It is possible that coach John Wright is not as assertive with the pack as he should be.
Maybe that the Indian outfit has lost the usual solidity in batting, the aggressive approach in matches due to the absence of star cricketer Sachin Tendulkar and the sidelining of two medium-pacers, Zaheer Khan and Balaji (both injured), whose deliveries had variations in swings and nip from the ground.
The loss of the three above players may have made a considerable difference in the balance of the Indian bunch. Yet on paper it appeared strong and varied with a long line of batting capable of dealing with any sort of devastating bowling and making swift strokes with effortless ease.
Yet in the Asia Cup against Pakistan and latterly in the final chasing of a moderate total set by Sri Lanka the Indian side licked the earth to the disappointment and agonising sadness of their supporters. In Amstelveen, Holland, the Indian line-up was given a stunning blow by a Pakistani squad, an amalgam of youth and tested campaigners.
Was Pakistan's stumble against India in the earlier part of this year due to lack of preparations, poor line of strategy or a complex of fear developed against the invincibility of the arch-foe, who had am impregnable batting-line with almost no tail and a seam attack that was accurate and tight aided by cunning slow bowling. However, keen observers of the game feel that a 3-2 result in the one-dayers in favour of India was a slim margin and a slight determination, fortitude and concentration on the field may have swayed the wheel of the match towards the host country.
In a five-month period, the morale of the Indians has slipped. The critics were surprised to find their attitude changed from resilient fighters to meek antagonists.
Pakistan's thrilling three-wicket victory at Egdbaston in the Champions Trophy makes it three in a row against India. The match was a low-scoring one and it had all through an aura of romance for the enjoyment of the onlookers. Initially it was a test of batting skill of the Indians to deal with and counter the spiteful, though controlled and accurate pace bowling of Mohammad Sami and Naveedul Hasan.
The over of Sami, in which Sourav Ganguly was caught behind, showed the disillusionment to follow as India were 28 for three before Shoaib Akhtar was entrusted with the white ball.
The trundler had cut his speed but still it was venomous and fiery and spear-pointed to strain the nerves of the Indian batsmen. Soon Kaif and Yuvraj Singh were puzzled and India were 73/5, two wickets falling to Shoaib Akhtar's fearful and dangerous swingers. India was in a tight spot and on a slowish, though tricky strip, a dour war of attrition started between the bat and ball.
Rahul Dravid tried hard to retrieve the Indian position with the help of the lower order, where Ajit Agarkar was his worthy associate and added 82 to give the Indian score-board some semblance of respectability, a target for the bowlers to defend and the rival to overtake.
Perhaps drama was in store in this match for soon three Pakistani wickets fell to the energetic and vehement efforts of Irfan Pathan. The departing batsmen were more victims of misgivings and self-distrust than any artifice or deceitful pace the bowler.
The confrontation had attained somewhat a balance with Pakistan reeling at 27 for three-a-repeat of the Indian slump.
No Pakistani opener could exhibit technical soundness and this is a problem for the selectors, the coach and the captain. When a reliable opening batsmen will be discovered? Will ever Imran Nazir and Shahid Afridi become more cautious and responsible while facing the new ball?
It was the turn of skipper Inzamamul Haq and his deputy Yousuf Youhana to rise to the occasion and stem the rot.
Their fourth wicket stand yielded 75 runs with safe and circumspect strokeplay. At 102 Agarkar's ball kicked at the right spot and Inzamam could not read the trajectory of the delivery and was caught by keeper Dravid to the rejoicing of the Indian fielders and the packed stands of their supporters. Inzamam crossed the milestone of 10,000.
Many Pakistani fans thought that disaster would set in and the end was near.
But it was the careful and serene batting of Yousuf Youhana that took the team, slowly though assuredly, to the shores of success. Twice he fell near the crease, appearing almost immobile due to leg cramps and taking the support of a runner, yet after due scrutiny of the balls he scored runs in a planned way.
Shahid Afridi demonstrated power and brawn while the need was of patience and discretion. Two successive sixers almost knocked out the dangerous-looking Irfan Pathan out of the match. Perhaps runs in twos and ones could have better served the purpose.
But Shahid Afridi cannot give up his habit of impetuosity. Danger again faced the Pakistani side when only 14 runs were required and only the tail was left.
Youhana was unruffled and frustrated the swinging, gyrating balls of Irfan Pathan. It was a splendid effort by Youhana worth going miles to see.
A sensational defeat of Australia at the hands of England has made the home side odds-on favourite for the trophy as Pakistan too stumbled against the West Indies in a match in which the former's batting-line fell like ninepins.
The West Indian batsmen kept their cool and comfortably romped home in less than 30 overs. It was a traumatic slump by Pakistan on a wicket slow, yet uncertain.
Would the West Indies batting first have made a difference in the outcome or still the Pakistani batting gome down the hill?