Perhaps it was this arrogance that enabled Krejza to pick up eight wickets. After all, had not the second string team in Hyderabad hit him out of sight? It wasn’t enough to merely score runs against him, the batsman had to show him who was boss, and in the words of Amitabh Bachchan in a Bollywood movie - Usko apni naani yaad dila do (make him remember his grandmother – that’s a literal translation; it means roughly, beat him to a pulp).

There is a sporting dictum that Indian batsmen forgot: thou shalt not underestimate an opponent. A bad ball can get you out, an ordinary ball can hasten the end as Rahul Dravid found out. Thou shalt not show disrespect on the field. Dhoni too tried something cute and was bowled.

To lose five wickets for 19 runs to a bowler no one took seriously must mean that the original assessment was wrong. It was, finally, Harbhajan Singh who put Krejza’s performance in perspective. Harbhajan must have been licking his lips in anticipation while his counterpart was taking all those wickets but hewas a little too fast, a little too eager, and seemed to be prematurely counting his chickens.

He is the No. 1 spinner in the side now, and needs to take the lead. But first he must cut down his pace, and take heart from the humility of a debutant who kept at it without compromising on either his trajectory or his pace. Perhaps the third day’s play will restore reason to its throne.

This has been a strange series. Australia’s strength was meant to be the fast bowling, yet Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma have displayed greater skill and taught the Lees and Johnsons a thing or two. India’s traditional strength has been spin, yet here is a debutant showing a 300-wicket man how to bowl to take wickets.

Why is it termed as arrogance ? before that little part of the session where the tail failed to wag, the guy had been plundered literally. So it was a ploy that worked for the Indians for most parts, but in the end, as they say, the bowler always has the last laugh. Dhoni would do well to use Sehwag here considering that he was the most successful indian bowler in the pervious test.

Is calling India arrogant a means to get more hits on your blog?. Well then what would you call the aussies?. Yes its a great debut and Krejza did a fantastic job but doesnt mean that Harbhajan is bad or less. I think i should remind you that its easier said than done. I think Harbhajan will come back strong tomorrow and probably he mite not take 8 wickets as Krejza but will do his job.

As always, an instant knee-jerk reaction to a spin bowler doing well against India. He was treated with disdain when it was warranted, and he got wickets coz he kept toiling away, to his credit. But to instantly gift India the status of arrogant or overconfident of cocky is just immature. I had hoped unlike the generation of previous, this generation of cricket watchers had the sensibility to give where credit is due, and not under mine our cricketers. But nope, this generation is just as bad. Bloggers are failed writers anyway, imo. Only reason I clicked here was the title caught my eye and I expected such lame post day-2 articles. Pathetic!

Awesome article...couldnt have agreed with you more.Hats off to krejza for his wonderful acheivement.I think Harbhajan needs to slow down his pace and then he will get more bite...
As always,the age old saying...if u dont respect the game,it will sort you out...I think the batsmen must have had something queer in their lunch which made dhoni&co play the strokes they did...

Well written article which is up to the point. I also felt that Indian spinners will bowl excellently after seeing Krejza's bowling effort but that didn't happend. We should appreciate Krejza for the heart and effort he made on a debut match which fetched him 8 wickets. India should be careful now and should try to take initiative on Day 3 else Australia could push for intiative.

Suresh-Your comments are one sided. Isn't it good to balance the story. I also read about your other article about the Indian board and it was very one sided and rude. It's not like Indians were all out for 100 and also BBCI has every right to protest and they did it in a democratic way. It is up to ICC to accept or reject their protest.

Perhaps the Aussies can now thank Bedi for the tips he passed on to Krejza. I think he deserved his 8 wickets. Even though he kept getting hit, he stuck to his guns and let the batsmen make the mistakes. Laxman and Sehwag certainly missed out on big 100's in the first innings.

And India are no more spin masters now.In last tour Mendis and now Krejza have proved that.And on which basis Harbhajan is in Indian Team???

I completely agree with the comment. Looks like bad shots, not taking the bowlers seriously caused the down fall and made him look like a good bowler. He is not a international material but now the story is different. Good luck to him

Indians have lostthe sting they showed in the first two tests, Zaheer & Ishant are no longer in the wicket taking list. When Jason in hi sfirst test takes 8 wkts, and a bowler like Harbhajan who is in the 300 wicket group gets 1, it shows that we have let the Aussies loose.& most of the headlines read Harbhajan joins 300 elite group. Let snot talk abt personal milestones, let th ewickets column do the talking

Of course, arrogance of the Indian Team knows no bounds! At a slight advantage, even Dhoni and Ganguly underestimated the Australian bowlers, especially Kredja, throwing away their wickets. Instead of making 600+, they got out at 441. And then they overstimated their own spinners and underestimated the Australian batting. Well, Kredja taught them a lesson, I hope! Now, their honour is at stake. Let us see what they do.

You are absolutely right on the money here. Very disappointing that India could get only 2 wickets. But all credit to the Aussie debutant. In the last few years, despite supposedly India's superiority over spin bowling we have performed pretty badly. Eg against Ajantha, Murali and even 2nd tier bowlers like Harris, Giles et al.

I think collectively the India team has to sit down and eat some collective "humble pie". And they realy have to bowl well tomorrow.

You are absolutely right on the money here. Very disappointing that India could get only 2 wickets. But all credit to the Aussie debutant. In the last few years, despite supposedly India's superiority over spin bowling we have performed pretty badly. Eg against Ajantha, Murali and even 2nd tier bowlers like Harris, Giles et al.

I think collectively the India team has to sit down and eat some collective "humble pie". And they realy have to bowl well tomorrow.

Hi,
I agree with your article. We have already started believing that the series is ours and losing 5 wickets for 19 runs should hopefully have woken us to reality.
Australia is not the No.1 team for no reason, and heopefully, we treat them with the respect their record deserves.

MSD has his work cut out for him and he must be desperately missing Kumble's bowling and acumen now..a sign of things to come??

This is too harsh I think. I for one, think that it's refreshing to see Indian batsmen attack a perceived weakness in the opposition bowling. It hasn't happened in a long time. Needless to say, if they were too defensive and got out, we would be condemning them for being too defensive.

Congratulations !!! What a wonderful article, I agree with every word. When someone referred to Dhoni as "cool" I thought the word "cool" means keeping your cool and poise at all times.

I am hopeful that Dhoni is actually "cool" and that the Indian team will have a meeting to quickly do a check on the arrogance and be more respectful for the great persistent Krejza in the subsequent innings.

We should not take away from Krejza by just saying Indians were 'overconfident' or 'arrogant'. His performance was not a fluke, it was an example of self determination that lacked in Indian spinners on day 2.

Yes, we (Indian team) have few lessons to learn from here, specially Bhajji, I hope he remembers that position no. 1 means added resposibility rather than arrogance.

This is too harsh I think. I for one, think that it's refreshing to see Indian batsmen attack a perceived weakness in the opposition bowling. It hasn't happened in a long time. Needless to say, if they were too defensive and got out, we would be condemning them for being too defensive.

very well said Suresh. Its true we have been over-confident. India needs to get its head right and work hard and with total dedication and focus to win this match or at worse draw it. We have a very good leader in M S Dhoni and we trust him to do the job well. Lets hope for 3 more days of fantastic test cricket and we shall be happy to take the Trophy back from the Aussies.

yeah,it's great to have 8 in a debut match,but looking at his bowling looks like indians made poor shot selection,otherwise his bowling is not as hard to play as ajantha mendis'.u can make this out from the number of runs he conceded.

I don’t understand the basis for terming the Indian squad arrogant!!. Kudos to Krejze on the wickets, but 441 is a decent score. According to the stats, Krejze conceded nearly 50% of those runs!

In my humble opinion, being an armchair Journalist / columnist are worst than the English weather I live in! Author should start smelling coffee and shouldn’t misinterpret ‘CONFIDENCE’ with ‘ARROGANCE’..

It was nice story to read but unacceptable. things will happen, why cant you see the positive side, last five wickets we scored 150+ runs. I dont think indian team took Krejza light, if you talk about the comments made by sunny and sehwag, those are all tactics followed in sports. For a moment, think about how Australians give statements if they are doing better. They are calm because most of this series was dominated by the Indian team, under the lead of dynamic dhoni. I dont think, india is down, still there are plenty of chances, india can win this test. And wait for the indian second innings, then talk about Krejza

Unfortunate but true. India had the same arrogance when they played Abdul Qadir the first time. He was the "bowler with a funny action who may or may not turn the ball" as one of the commentators described. Guess what? He bewildered the Indian greats and caused so much embarrasment.
A bowler (or batsman) is only as good as he looks on that particular day. Krejza looked like a world beater and kudos to him.

Well said - The Humble are the Real Kings

If the aussies bat as effectively as todayand the indians bowl as ineffectively as today,I foresee India losing this match on the fifth day

The blog conveys the message that Kreza was not respeted as a qaulity spinner.However,I would like to point out that kreza has given about 215 runs of the first innings and that is pretty bad for the Aussies even though he has taken 8 wickets.Individual success of an Australian player wont amtter as long as India keeps mauling the rookie,no matter they loose 8 wickets.What the hell if Aussie bowler get 8 wickets adn still Idnia wins.Kreza's performance was good but he must learn to stop donating runs at more than 5 rpo in tests,else team Australia will suffer.The effect is that even with kreza at his best Indian batsmen still amuled him for 215 and used him to score 415 which is a commanding total.Also, the author says Harbhajan must learn from kreza.Common, harbhajan is a much successful bowler and he does attends training s and take guidance of spin greats.Just because Kreza has had a good day does not makes him a spin king and it is too early to say that he is better than Bhajji.

Fine, the batsman made mistakes. Fine, they went after the debutant. Fine, Bhajji did not shine. Based on one loose statement from that un-named player in Hyderabad, I fail to see how the author can put in writing that the Indian team is arrogant!! No debutant need show a 300 wicket man how to bowl. It is just that this debutant got lucky that the batsmen chose to play rash. How is it that when a batsman makes a similar mistake against a Warne or Murali, the bowler is praised, but against a debutant, the batsman is called arrogant????!!!!

I think this is one of the better India sides we've ever had, playing against an Australian side that is less than what we're used to seeing. A little bit of aggression is natural and warranted in such circumstances, anything else would be giving the Aussies an upper hand when they should have none. And then the pundits would blame the Indian team for not having the killer instinct to be world champions. For not crushing their opponents when they had a chance. The problem with this assessment is that it paints everything with the same stroke of the brush and gives the impression that the Indian team did nothing right. If the ball had missed the stumps and Sehwag or Dhoni had gone on to make a century I dare say the paint would have been of a different color e.g how the Indian team under Dhoni is a different Indian team and ready to take on the mantle from Australia. These articles are fun to read during lunch hour and get the adrenaline pumping again, not serious reporting.

Indian batsmen started confidently and gradually grew over-confident. Yes, definitely there was a touch of arrogance in their shots. They chose sheer dominance over discipline. This was evident even in Sachin's approach. With a disciplined approach, a 600+ was definitely on the board and India threw it away. The pressure is now on the bowling department to keep the Aussie batsmen in check. Last but not the least, hats off to Krejza for his perseverent performance.

I dont completely agree with the "arrogance" comment, though I would call it over confidence.

Sorry Suresh don't agree with you that the Indians were arrogant. Krejza of what I little I've seen, comes across as a very ordinary offie with limited resources( in terms of variations), he got eight wickets all right good for him on debut, but some of the wickets were gifted by the batsman, not because the indians were arrogant but only to dominate the newcomer which came of well, he was thrashed for 200 odd runs at over 5 an over. Let me end by comments by saying that if the aussies had treated a newcomer to test cricket by scoring runs @ 5 an over 200 runs and also giving away 8 wickets you and I mean you Mr. Memon would term it an aggressive ploy but because an Indian did it this, it's termed as arrogance. Don't agree with you one bit mate.

Imagine if the Aussie selectors had picked our best line up! GOod on you Jason!! I hope that you have a long and prosperous career!! Go Aussies!!

Yes. I agree with the comments. When our Top & Middle order batsmen fired, it was in our interests that we should have made it big by replicating what we did in Kotla, knowing very well that we should win at any cost to keep the trophy. I think our men were a bit over confident and wanted to exploit only one bowler. Well "All is not lost, if we bowl with decipline" "ENSURE we bat with utmost care and keeping an "EYE on the WIN" (utmost care does not mean we bat 1000 balls for 175 runs). We can do it....! "Dhoni cheer up and lead from the Front tomorrow". We would love to see INDIA win....! This is our best chance.

Yes, India appeared to be overly keen on hitting Krejza and trying to show how poor he is. A batsmen should always play within himself and not give his wicket away just to make a point. In the end Krejza had the last laugh and looked great despite being expensive. If India had played with little more caution a score of 600 was well within their reach. 3 batsmen getting out after scoring 50's to Krjza was bit too much. Should they not have focussed and gone to their centuries instead?. The worst problem is Harbhajan a well established off spinner could get only one wicket despite all his experience. The "arrogance" of Indian batsmen is more exposed when their own ace fails so badly. This makes Krejza's boeling look even greater.Mishra and Sehwag were unable to get a wicket either. This match is not over yet and a winnable match for India may end up as draw due to careless batting in throwing away their wickets. Pride goeth before fall - Indians should always retain their humility.

Poor Krejza huh? Oh yes, why not! He is an Aussie afterall.

This is no arrogance. This is the way we play spinners. Go ask Shane Warne. And don't read too much into a one-off performance. It's good for Krejza by the way that he did not make his debut in Bangalore. Because if he had, his career might have come to an end by now.

Arrogance felled India!! Are you mad? India has 441 runs. I did Indians did a good job.
I don't think Krejza did a fantastic job. He gave 215 runs while getting 8 wickets. 215 runs is almost half of indian score. Had Ponting used his bowlers more brilliantly he could have resticted india to a much lower score.I would say Krejza was lucky to get 8 wickets.

I totally agree with your blog.

There is no room for 'Overconfidence' in cricket. Period. Even Sachin was lucky that he got his hundred. He was dropped couple of times as he went to thrash Krejza with pre determined shots.

If Australia posts big score in first innings, which is possible --- this overconfidence of Indian team will pay a heavy price.

At least three Indian Batsmen gave their wicket away Shewag, Laxman and Dhoni) Tendulkar tried twice and failed. India play by instinct and not to a game plan. Shewag should have been playing for lunch, Tendulkar and Laxman trying to get to close of play on day one, and Dhoni ane Ganguly trying and get to tea on day two, in other words bat the Aussies out of the series. India has a history of throwing away a one nil lead on many occasions. I think its called lacking " bottle ".it looks like a less talanted Aussie outfit are two good batting sessions from squareing the series/

It'd be nice to see India prepare a cricket pitch instead of batsman's paradises. Well done to Krejza, Katich and Hussey, they have brought Australia into a strong position. Some of the strokes the batsmen tried were incredible in their audacity and they paid the price as did Ponting. As for Sharma and Khan outbowling Lee and Clark, that is simply home ground advantage, they have failed to adjust in the short amount of time given to the new type of ball and pitches, in Australia it was the other way around.

Hang on guys..i think we r behaving like TV journo's who make mountain out of a mole...tail did not wag and so he got wickets...he only earned 3 wickets and rest were gifted from Indian top order...just wait for the second innings..Playing against India any Tom, Dick or Harry can become overnight hero...we have seen that in the past...gmae is interestingly poised...in regards to Bedi giving tips...he is an over-rated cricketer and given a chance always goes aginst India...Harbhajan is a proven performer and won many tests for India...it is very premature to compare him with a novice...time will prove it...another interesting spinner would be Swann from England...

well said suresh... indians, specially these guys sehwag, yuvraj, gambhir n others jinda get excited and arrogant towards any new spinner... and if he is an off spinner, they are more so. but why shouldn't they be?? they have had their share of success against all the spinners across the globe save murli and mendis. batting with this intimidating style gives them an edge as they push the young bowler in negative frame of mind. ganguly eventually succeeded in intimidating kreza today in first session when he resorted to negative tactics of bowling outside leg stump and ganguly kept padding the balls. you have to know that it's a sport... sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. maybe some other day the indian "treating with disdain" tactics would have worked as it has against many others and statistics would have been differren, u never know. so being arrogant towards a debutant off spinner is not at all as bad a thing to do as u figure it out to be.

i do think arrogance has failed gaian. they took for granted krejza. but i think the indians will come back strongly tommorow after all dhoni is leading them. but if australia manager to get over 500 then the match will head in only in two direction: draw or australia wins. but the miracle of kolkatta can also here.

There is heaps of arrgance. Indians took Krejza as if he is a club bowler. I have a doubt as to how India is going to be winning consistently if they have this kind of attitude. We have just won a test in Mohali but OZs have been winning for last decade. Indian cricket team is so unpredictable that It would not surprise me if we manage to lose 4th test.

Wrong label!! this has nothing to do with arrogance. Dude, go and look in what context Arrogance word is used. Now Indian needs to teach English to Aussies. Krejza didn't get the wicket b'coz of his skills. I think, Indians players have given up due to the lack of challenge and plus due to the Kumble's decision. No Indian player wants to loose series, they can go for 2-0 but I think they don't have confidence that BCCI will support them if they loose this game. That's the reason I think Indian players are thinking, let it be draw but no risk!! So they lost the focus on winning this game so the reason of loosing wickets.

It doesn't make sense that after a team gets 400 odd runs u call them arrogant, wouldn't you have called this take it to the opposition if they pulled of their shots, remember Henry Olanga got six wickets in his first match against india, and recall what happened in the next game. No doubt Krejza might be a good bowler but he got lucky to get eight wickets, other than Zaheer and Mishra's wicket nothing suggests otherwise. Wait and see him getting trashed in the next game.

i stongly disagree with this article, the fact that india played aggressive and took on krezja was a good move. It showed India are determined to win this match which im sure they will. There is no way possible that krezja can run through india the second time they bat, he actually would be taught a lesson and brought back down to earth

Was it a case of good bowling, or was it careless batting. The Indian Batsmen wanted to play the spinner like it were a T20 game. And thats what caused them. If they had played him like a test game, there would have been different figures

May be we were arrogant in playing the spinner, but the outcome was 441 runs in all. Had we not played aggressively against the spinner probably we might have had been some more runs less than 440. The blogger in that case would have been the first person to write.."Too much respect shown to the spinner by India". Expectations of Indian fans are so high that we are more worried about the 8 wickets which one bowler has taken against the 440 runs which we have scored !!!

There is a difference between getting the wickets and being handed the wickets. No doubt Krejza showed a big heart, a quality any spinner must possess, but then there is quite a bit to learn for the Aussie. As far as India's arrogance goes, it is sweet revenge, fair and square. By the way, Bishan Bedi summed it up too. Krejza is a good bowler. He just doesn't have the spin, loop or guile. Ahem.

How can you say indias arrogance and overconfidence led to their downfall?! They scored 441 runs! and krejza gave away half of them! yes he took 8 wickets but his economy rate in a test match was 4.9, r u mad suresh? one bowler gave away half the runs the other 4 bowlers gave away. india went after him because they knew they could score off him, 8 wickets is a very good performance but 215 runs is an unbelievable amount! indias arrogance did not lead to their "downfall" they are in a strong position in this test as we speak because they have runs on the board, what could lead to indias downfall is their bowling not their "arrogance" cmon give me a break

this is too much, when india is aggressive even with a 1-0 lead in the series, we say they are being "arrogant" but the thing is, we have wanted this from the indian team all along! we always say they are too defensive, but now that they are playing their natural game in a huge test, we say they are being "arrogant" that is a pathetic statement, mindless, senseless, well done india, 441 is a good score, and we are just 3 more good days of test cricket away from the border-gavaskar trophy!

The Indain batsmen may have under-estimated Krejza, but the reason he got 8 wickets was because none of the other Aussie bowlers looked like they were capable of taking wickets! Figures of 8/215 do not suggest that he had any dominance over the Indian batsmen.

The Indain batsmen may have under-estimated Krejza, but the reason he got 8 wickets was because none of the other Aussie bowlers looked like they were capable of taking wickets! Figures of 8/215 do not suggest that he had any dominance over the Indian batsmen.

I don't know about the India players being arrogant but the fans sure are! Typical that most Indians don't even have the grace to even admit that Krejza might have done well. Like the British colonials, who India have copied wholesale in manner and form, they don't even notice how pompous and self-important they sound. Just read Nampally - "India should always retain their humility". Since when did they ever have any in the first place??

The Indian supporters are saying that we shouldn't misinterpret "confidence" as "arrogance". Funny thing is, that's what so many Australian supporters were saying all those years when Australia was well on top and crushing all challengers.

time and again india have shown how good hosts they are by trying to lose the test. indeed india showed their arrogance in batting. instead of batting australia out of the game, the indians will be now thinking of saving the game. indians can never learn from the past. they keep making the same mistakes. well that's what they deserve, may be. i would be happy to see india lose.

This article hits the nail on the head, I was embarrassed to watch the Indians, anyone who has watched or played any decent amount of cricket knew what was going to happen. He is one of the best in the Aus, that means he is no mug (he did get 8 wickets). India were arrogant, they played 20/20 with him and got 20/20 scores, Hayden died hitting the leather off the ball too, but that's his way he plays and we all know it. In short no amount of misplaced patriotism will disguise what is an embarrassment to Indian tactics and click the dial one more notch to making the Indians the most arrogant team in the world. A mantle that many lay at the feet of the Aussies. There was, in my opinion as an outsider, only one arrogant team on the field.

Before the red mist of India descends, have a little think about it and for some balance to the I am not an Aussie, in fact a from outside of it, love cricket, and Satchin is my hero, but I am also not blind and know what I see!

It is an interesting article, like most of the other ones out there. Lets see how?
Cricket is a gmae, a batsman bats, scores runs and gets OUT. On the other hand, a bowler bowls to the batsman, gets beatun up and takes wicket.
Exactly what is happening here as well. If someone thinks that a good batting side is one that scores without losing any wickets, then there was no need for 11 players to bat, only openers would suffice.
Krejza bowled and got beaten up by some of the BEST batsmen out there. and then he took wickets of AVERAGE and blow average batsman. Luckily he got those wickets in a giffy.
Indian batsman are good players of spin bowling and they proved it here. 411 is a decent score by any standards. Krejza did his job towards the end but also conceded most runs.
So i dont understand where does arrogance come into picture here.
Nice article though.

Hi
I believe, as someone said that it was his mere luck, the luck is always earned my friend. He stuck to the basics, and was very much aware of the thrashing. There is definetely the "taking it easy" factor from Indian side, but I sincerely believe that most of the orthodox spinners get the wickets (And esp off-spinners) only when the batsmen loose consentration and/or being overconfident. So, partly agreed with Suresh.

I totally agree with the headline! ARROGANT it is! and its a good thing. I truly believe India is the powerhouse in cricket now, its time to Australia to move over and hand over the mantle to India after their crushing series loss ( eventually ) to India. And, as far as Krezja goes , I DONT CARE. He may or may not be good, but in India, he is just going to make the Indian batsmen yawn in the middle and only get wickets when India throw away or gift it to him. No spin bowler has and will succeed in India, its a strong statement, but true! and Sehwag treated him just the way he is supposed to be treated in India. NO MERCY!

It is not the first, some of the test stars have shown contempt to a newcomer--Indians are not alone--sometimes it works, like Shastri vs Warne in their first encounter

Many years ago, an Indian Opener--now a selector--made a strange comment about Simon Davis of Australia--then struggled in the middle!!!!

I think its a combination of both arrogance and good bowling lets not forget that lately india has played badly against good quailty spinners and they proved it against mendis,krejza did bowled well and i am sure india would learn from its mistakes in 1st innings.One can not compare krejza with harbhajan one has 300 wickets and nothing to prove while other has just started his career,lets not forget Anil mishra got 5 wickets in his debut but to do it consistantly is what makes a good bowler best example is murli..India has to get his act together if they want to win back the trophy from the lacklustre champions..

I think its a combination of both arrogance and good bowling lets not forget that lately india has played badly against good quailty spinners and they proved it against mendis,krejza did bowled well and i am sure india would learn from its mistakes in 1st innings.One can not compare krejza with harbhajan one has 300 wickets and nothing to prove while other has just started his career,lets not forget Anil mishra got 5 wickets in his debut but to do it consistantly is what makes a good bowler best example is murli..India has to get his act together if they want to win back the trophy from the lacklustre champions..

I dont believe Indias aproach to Krejza was arrogant. I believe itwas good cricket, a team trying to take the initiative and dominate a game as Auatralia has done in recent times.
What is arrogant is when players from any country resort to physical ploys such as elbowing other players or derogative verbal assinations.
Tendulker stands head and shoulders over all cricketers because he has always attacked from the bat, sometimes he has failed most times he has succeeded, but has never been called arrogant.
India's tactics in this match have not been arrogant, their's and Auatralias past tactics of sledging have been.

Wow what a contenst!!! It is this sublime arrrogance (i prefer self belief) that has made India a strong, worthy opponent for Australia; too long Australians have been treated to teams that mentally disintegrate in three days. India must continue to be arrogant (on field and off), and have the mental strength and wisdom to maintain the attitude even when they lose the initiative. They have always had talent and power in their line up and what I am beginning to see, not just in the warrior Kumble, is the desire, confidence and yes, arrogance, to brutally crush underfoot any team that dares challenge their superiority; keep going India; for all its magnificent style and beauty, a Cricket Test Match is a cruel, tortuous, cut-throat jungle where only the strong survive.

Why is a stratergy that didnt work out termed arrogance ?It certainly wouldnt have been termed arrogance had Krejza been thrashed wicketless like the Board President's XI game, it was a similar tactic and it paid off in the warm up game, that time Krejza was the chicken under fire. I am certainly not under the impression that it was an arrogant move neither did we underestimate Krejza, We lost the wickets so what ? Atleast we have the runs to boast of.

I guess you mean to say if Krejza would have bowled a 100 overs and taken 10 wickets for 500 runs, he is way better than all the indian batsmen who made the total of 500+ runs. One just cannot criticize the likes of Sehwag, Dhoni and Harbhajjan based on a half-match performance. At least wait till the match is complete. Who knows at the end it might be 8-430 instead of 8-215.

A spinner on debut playing in the virgin pitch in the subcontinent for Australia who have been trailing 1-0 already in the series and must win the last match to balance the series!!!!!!!!!That would make a great underdog story , wouldn't it? Well, someone who was hammered so bad against a second choice team took 8!!!! wickets and was unlucky to get 9 just because Sachin had fate's favour for his 40th ton.Mates, face it, India was arrogant because spin isnt something India fears to play against, and Kreza taking 8 wickets and conceding so many runs at the same time says something about the attitude of the Indians towards him. I dont know what you guys call it, i call it "ARROGANCE".

Arrogance allowing readers to post comments and then refusing to publish them. Arrogance is not plundering a bowler. My earlier comments were not published though they were well within guidelines. Lets see if this arrogance continues with this comment

It was amazing to watch Simon Katich y'day. Very aggressive in approach although careful not to play any loose shots. Getting up to the pitch of the ball for spinners. Aussies will make Indians sweat unless Bajji and Misra can do some wonders. India could have scored 600+ in the first innings easily, however, threw the wickets away and making a memorable debut for Krejza!

Indians play spin well, particularly when they respect the man bowling the ball. A great spinner such as Shane Warne was treated with respect in India and as such, was not as successful there as in other parts of the world. Krejza was not lucky to get his wickets. He got them because he put the ball in the right place and the batsmen failed to play each ball on its merits. I think the Indian side is trying to assert its dominance and to a certain extent they have done that. However, the best players play each ball on its merits and pre-meditated shots on turning pitches will bring even the best unstuck. I am enjoying the contest but it is clear that the Indians are a better side than the Aussies on this deck. If they play each ball and not try to belt everything that comes their way, they will keep their stumps intact. Nevertheless, congrats to Jason Krejza and Ricky Ponting. Many other bowlers would have given up and many other captains would have hooked him after 3 overs. Go Aus!

Nothing to take away from the debutant, but it is not the arrogance. India always plays spinners like that. Lee didn't pick up a wicket. Can you say he is not good?

I would like to disagree with you. India treated Krejza the right way, with aggression and confidence. We scored 441 at a rapid pace and gave us a chance for a result. Many years ago India played Warney with the same disdain and aggression. Sidhu, Shastri and Sachin etc.. Had we not attacked we may not even have scored 441. Folks are forgetting who we are playing here. The only strategy that works against Aussies is to be aggressive and back it up with results and a cool head.

Sehwag's shots were arrogant - but then that's the way he bats. Dhoni's was a arrogant (& stupid) shot, considering that his side needed only to play 1 & a half sessions to virtually guarantee the series (404 for 5 before his dismissal). Quick runs were not essential, & could have been generated after tea. He normally gets away with it because of his hand-eye coordination & strength, but the side could not afford the actual result. Laxman's was a poor choice of shot (no obvious arrogance). Vijay, Dravid, Sachin, Sourav, Amit, & Sharma were all out poking tentatively - not arrogantly. Sehwag's & Sachin's early Krezja slogging was a ploy to unsettle the debutante - not just a show of arrogance. Ill advised, because they had to avoid risk having won the toss & being 1 up in the series. Casual batting - yes - arrogance - only the usual!!!

While back it used to be said 'cricket by chance...' Test cricket seems to be geting more interesting; every day of the 5 days is different and more often then not the momentum swing from 1 side to the other. Even in the worst scenario for India, Australia will still be faced with making 200 to 250 runs with 50 or 60 overs left at the end on day 5. It won't be easy to do that then.

All said and done, i would like to see if Krejza ever reaches 300 test wickets.Only then would I compare him to Bhajji.Yes Bhajji needs to cut down his pace but we cant draw paralles between Krejza and Bhajji right now.I am sure Krejza can't win this test for Australia.Eevn if gets 10 wickets in the second innings but would still give away 300 runs and with 3days left I dont India losing this match.Key is getting out Australia today.From India point of view no matter who takes the wickets, get those 8 remaining wickets today and then we will see what Kejza can do if at all.if he gets 10 indian wickets with 300 runs (others 150) in his total spell India can't lose this test match. Let's wait and watch !!!

Hats off to Krejza, even though he gave half of the runs scored by inidans. Indian should be more positive for following days becos now the math is evenly poised. We should appreciate the effort of austalian bowler.

Fistly to Sachin
Cast your mind back to Shane Warnes first test...he copped an absolute pasting...but alas still managed to go on an be one of the if not the greatest leg spinners in the modern era. Whist your condemning player carrers would i be correct in asking if Dravids place in the team is justified?
George...one thing i believe we need to be mindful is that this ground is a large ground therefore potentially alot harder to defend runs on. Yes i agree with your comment about Ponting from a tactical point of view i think hes had a poor series, which is not like Ponting at all.
To a certain extent the Indians have a right to be somewhat arrogant / overconfiedent due to their position in the series. They have dominated the Australians throughout the previous 3 tests. India were set to score over 600 in this test and should have, unfortunatly they may have believed they had the series wrapped up prematurely. But this is why Test cricket is still alive and well. Love test cricket

lets not forget that krejza conceded 50% of the 441 runs india scored, and bowled 43 overs. If he is the only one bowled throught the innings, its fair enough to say he is the only one who will get the wickets. india have 441 on board, thats what counts.

When analysing a game, or a side's performance, you have to think retrospectively. Krezja got eight wickets, great! If the Indians try to slog a 15 yr old for six every ball, he would get eight wickets, statistics are never enough; the conditions have to be looked upon. Krezja bowled well but it was inevitable that the Indian batsman would get out if they were continously tring to target a bowler. We can find that the most experienced bowler of the team, Lee didn't get any wicket becuase the Indians were playing him carefully.
Also on India's arrogance; the Aussies were arrogant when they were the best, now we are kick your sorry asses so take a taste of your own medicine. Majority of us have no regret at what Gambhir did Aussie had it coming for a few years, also check the tapes, last I checked Gambhir was given a send off by Watson, and those of you who checked his lips carefully woul know he asked Gambhir to "F off." We are winning so it is our turn to be arrogant, win an then talk

These things happen in cricket. I believe it was more over-confidence than arrogance that the last 5 wkts fell for 20runs. Dont start thinking Krejza is an Ajantha Mendis who torments Indian batsmen! If there is arrogance, it is with the way BCCI conducts itself. A very true statement is that 'Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely'. Bcci knows that it is very very powerful (money) and so has lost its discrimination between right and wrong - see how it is treating Kapil Dev. Same applies to someone like CA chief Sutherland - asking BCCI to behave properly and not misuse power - he is equally culpable as obvious by the extreme arrogant Aus cricketers that is a product of CA (remember Michael Slater vs. umpire Venkatraghavan in Bombay 2001?). Bottom line, we have to hate bullies.. irrespective of which passport they hold!
Good luck India to win the series and BG trophy!

Mr. Suresh Menon seems to have joined the Aussie camp in the mental disintegration effort. True, the Indian batsmen surrendered their wickets needlessly to Krejza but to use highly pejorative adjectives lke "arrogant" is uncalled for and smacks of a hidden agenda.

well done Krezja, though sometimes the achievements of spinners vs fast bowlers should be put in perspective - they usually bowl many more overs and that goes for warne, kumble etcetera, fast bowlers do the real hard work and spinners take the cheap wickets

A look at Krezja's figures:

8 for 215 is an average of just under 27,
8 wickets in 43.5 overs is a strike rate of just under 33 balls per wicket.

The next best in the series is Sharma with avg 30.5 SR 60.5.

The next best aussie is Johson with avg 38.4 SR 70.1.

Makes for interesting reading.

Agreed. India had a chance to end the series with 600+ in their first innings. Now with big 1st innings partnerships Australia can lower their potential chase on the last day. This will be crucial. Hats off to Jason he is always aggressive and he only bought his wickets at 27 each. Not Bad considering Australia has struggled to bowl the hosts out and even better because its courageous and against Ponting's negative approach this series. Even Warne went for 1/150 on debut.

Are all you ppl dissing krezja yous just want to believe that the australian dominance is over but it not kreja did bloodty brilliant also look australia made 180 runs for 2 wickets and thats almost all of krezja's runs thats like only 2 eickts for all of krezja runs that is fairly sad

Are all you ppl dissing krezja yous just want to believe that the australian dominance is over but it not kreja did bloodty brilliant also look australia made 180 runs for 2 wickets and thats almost all of krezja's runs thats like only 2 eickts for all of krezja runs that is fairly sad

“… a bowler no one took seriously must mean that the original assessment was wrong.” What Suresh is forgetting is that the two batsmen that did the real damage to Krejza were: Sharma and Kholi. Two of what I consider future test batting stars, whilst Ganguly will be missed after this series – I don’t think the top order's runs are in any threat. More so, Dravid must be thinking the same – as pressure will start to build on the selectors.

Was Lara arrogant for attacking almost every spinner any time he got the opportunity? I don't think so. I think that was his game plan to make the opposition captain take the spinner out of the attack and force the fast bowlers to bowl more, thus tiring them. I think the Indians had a similar game plan here. This blog was written by an author in dire need of attention......441 is still a very good score anyways and the rate at which the Indians scored leaves the match wide open.

There was a touch of arrogance, yes! But its good for India. It shows that Indians were confident enough to belt him away. He is an ordinary bowler as anyone can makeout. He just toiled enough that he ended with those wickets. Anyone who bowled with patience for 40 odd overs would have got a 5 atleast on this pitch. But I agree that Bajji did disappoint us. Hope we make amends tomorrow and hold the rope tight to strangle the Aussies. But definitely we are missing Kumble and we are going to miss him for years to come. I don't see any replacement for him. Bajji can never be a lead bowler for us. However Khan do that.

The man gets hit for almost five an over, and we're supposed to be 'overconfident' and arrogant ? Please ! Let's be fair. If the roles were reversed (new Indian spinner vs Aussie batsmen), the same people would be praising the Aussies strategy of not letting a newbie find his groove. Given that most of his wickets were tailenders, I'd be very cautions about making any comments yet, about either his abilities or the alleged failings of the Indian batsmen.

The man gets hit for almost five an over, and we're supposed to be 'overconfident' and arrogant ? Please ! Let's be fair. If the roles were reversed (new Indian spinner vs Aussie batsmen), the same people would be praising the Aussies strategy of not letting a newbie find his groove. Given that most of his wickets were tailenders, I'd be very cautious about making any comments yet, about either his abilities or the alleged failings of the Indian batsmen.

Terming India 'arrogant' is by itself sounds an arrogance...well its always easy to sit in comfort and term people as you wish with a few key strokes...things always never turn up green and for once Dhoni and his troops probably hit a wrong note by being aggressive against Krejza...taking no shine away from a glorious debut...i'll commend the Blues that rarely in the history of the game...they've made the 'arrogant' aussies eat a bit of their own pill throughout this series..i wouldn't even mind the Blues losing this series but the next time Baggies visit this part of the Sub-continent they'll have some butterflies flying in their stomachs...
Let me finish with this...baggies have one Krejza..the rest seem just lost how to through the ball...but India have Bhajji, mishy, Ishant and the ever reliable Zaheer..not forgetting the Sehwags and Tendulkars who on their day can do their magic as well..."Every dog has its day" Maybe the stars shine now at Krejza..will it last for long??

I think it is unfair to blame India for being too arrogant..they made 400 + runs in style and thats what they were looking to do. Like someone said before, if there is a weakness in the opposing team, why not exploit it? I think our position in this game has fell a bit. But if you look at the scorecard, they still have plenty of runs to make to catch up to India. Now its time for India to get to business and they will certainly do that.

A aussie spinner..esp an unknown one..taking 8 wickets is a good achievement. The article is right that the batsmen were complacent. Lets see if Bhajji and Mishra restore some spin pride on day 3 and hopefully day 5!

A player once said that if you bat for long enough, and are any good at all, you will break records. Surely then, if you bowl enough overs in a game, and are in any way competent, you will take wickets? Everybody is raving about Krejza's bowling acumen, yet i seem to remember several much better figures in test and one day cricket which certainly weren't taken off as many overs or runs for that matter. (Vaas 8/19 anyone?) Not to discredit Krejza at all, because good on him and all, but when no other bowler looks like taking wickets (Watson, Lee, Johnson, White, Clarke!) naturally the one who does look like taking wickets (Krejza) will infact take wickets.

The trouble with India as a team, as well as the Indian fans, is that you all believe you are competing for the number one status in world cricket. Check the ratings ladies - you are 3rd, and lucky to be there. Having prepared pitches to suit your guys doesn't mean the TEAM is talented, just lucky to have won the toss. Now when Australia scaled the summit in 95 we beat everyone else in Test Series that led up to toppling the West Indies. In so doing we didn't prepare wickets to suit Warne or McGrath, instead our pitches have tended to retain their individual integrity from venue to venue. The pitches prepared for this series will probably result in an Indian victory, but it's artificial and does not paint a true picture of the status or world cricket. In turn the players and the fans start believing their own hype. In the history of TEST CRICKET India have never been Number 1. Maybe it's time ask "Why Not?" In Australia 20 million of us can do it yet 1.3 billion can't.

Well, you article says it all, Krejza was never gonna challenge the Indian batting lineup , infact they lost interest in the game seeing a bowler who is not even as good as some domestic spinners. Its real pity that great team like Australia are relying on bowlers like Krejza.....come on they can produce something better.....I have to say the end result makes krejza look a good bowler but through out the day Indians made him suffer.

India went after Krejza and rightfully so. The Australians would have done the same thing. Futhermore rarely has there been a more aggressive and talented batting line-up in the history of the game, perhaps the late 80's West Indian team are the only team in history to have the fire power and talent that the Indians currently have. Arrogant? Well lets face it Australia have been just as arrogant in the past. Arrogance is something that evolves when a team or person is in superior form. So in that I agree the Indians are arrogant, quite rightfully so. Lets just hope that when the wind changes direction that Dhoni can handle it like a man instead of like the wingeing little twerp Ponting. Whos tactless losing is a thorn in the side of all the Australian captains before him. May I suggest that behaviour like Pontings who willingness to blame everyone or everything apart from himself for a loss is more suited to Football rather than the gentlemanly sport of cricket.

Sam (Australia

India forgot to weigh the situation and opponents. They should have played according to the needs for the team rather than dazzle for themelves. Specially Ganguly and Dhoni could have change the phase of the game for India.

As many readers I do not agree with the use of word arrogance. May be you can attract lot of attention but it is unfair use of word to describe indian team. Australia is sure is arrogant team and not India.

Reading this article and the comments - for and against - I sense a loss of perspective. Many years ago when my elder brother and myself were up and coming Table Tennis players - my brother with much success becoming India's No 2 and me just a junior with very limited success - our eldest brother, who was our coach and mentor told us something very significant. He said, "an opponent should get to win only the number of points he deserves to get." I forgot to implement it a few times to my detriment and lost matches I should have won or struggled to win where I should have won easily. This bag of wickets the Indian batsmen provided Jason Kretjza reminds me of their failure to understand that profound truth.

Arrogance???Hell down with arrogance....The bowler did something and it is not that easy to take 8 wickets but still he was laid to almost 250 runs and that too in test matches...Anil did take 10 wickets in an innings...was it because of the arrogance made by the Pakistanis??don't be so rough with India...they have the potential and so they are climbing to be the best in the world and almost all players are consistent with their works and why not a little bit of arrogance will not hurt....

Kreza did the right thing. How else can u take wickets on a strip so good for batting...and if you know your limits. He stayed in his limits and got the better of the batsman.....the last laugh that is...

By the way don't forget that our gurus who feel they have utimate mastery in the art of "playing spin" repetedly fell like 11 pins in front of Murli and the debutant Mendis.

Its ok to be arrogant one you have achieved something...however premature celebrations will only keep you away from your goal (Border movie...remember the "kushi ka nanga naach dialouge". And thats why we are not the World Champions....and by the way winning one WC is not enough anymore...the bar has already been raised too high....

Ok Ok I rest my case. Jai hind

very good article. Call it arrogance or just over-confidence, but we should have made 550-600 at least, and whatever the fans say, I'm sure the top 7 know it. As for our bowling, while Bhaji has shown some signs of maturing in the last year, he has always been far from a great thinker. His first reaction to a positive stroke is to push it in flatter and faster. And he lacks Kumble's control and subtlety in variation on multiple parameters - length, line, turn and speed. Amit looks a quicker learner. We will still win this test, but that is only because Dhoni would have made it clear to all the players that this was a bad day.

I'm a little bit surprised at the number of people who are so evidently upset by this article... the Indian's have been incredibly arrogant for several years now. Nothing's changed on that front, so why get all worked-up about it? Sheeeeezz..!

ARROGANCE MEANS THIS. Krejza is a juicy bowler, Indians allways go for spinners, Krejza is no diffrent except that he gets more wipping and wickets. Fair deal for Australia and India too.

It is time for India and Indians to grow up and stop being Dubya. Here's something for all the readers who try to defend Indians no matter what. The lesson the BCCI and Indians need to learn from the George W Bush story is that using great power unilaterally and in a knee-jerk fashion loses you the world. Calmness and steadfastness of purpose as Obama shows, wins you everything. It is not for nothing that those are the very virtues that people laud in Kumble, Tendulkar, Dravid and Laxman. And before someone says it, no, Ganguly was never rash and rude, more a calculated risk-taker with a Ph D in competitive psychology. Players like Bhaji, Yuvraj and even Gambhir (disappointingly) need to learn that aggression and maturity are not enemies. Dhoni in everything he has done so far, has shown his Obama-like ability to go beyond the divide. He represents the real new India, one that is confident without being brash. If only the BCCI and the media would learn from him and Kumble.

Oh, by the way, does anyone remember the Test debut of Mr SK Warne... 1/150 of (about) 35 overs, if my memory serves correctly?

I wouldn't read too much into the 200+ runs Krezja has conceded.
India, & the rest of the world: Beware! ;)

i hope the aussies win this test and i normally cheer against them. Test spin bowling is great to watch (warne,harbajhan) my favourites, but Kresja gave hope when there was none, which was remarkable and India really blew it. Could he be the new hero for aussies. All India needed was to keep batting and the series was theres. Then I turned on for the last session expecting aussies to be about 100 by stumps, but to be near 200 is a real worry for india. I sense a choke on the way
and whats with those crowds...cmon guys
ps i love watching tendulkar, laxman and dhoni bat, and i actually support england. Lets hope India gets demoralised for the upcoming ODI series
GO FREDDY

Krezja bowled with determination and wasn't afraid to flight the ball even when he was being hit around the park for 4's. To do this on his debut, three cheers to him. The indian spinners (esp harbajan) have bowled poorly. Maybe the veterans could learn a thing or two from the debutant.

India have given Australia a chance of victory when they could have sealed the series. India are still in the best position in this game but they have given Australia a chance to put them under pressure. For me, the most interesting aspect of Krejza's performance was how well Ponting managed him. So far in this game, for the first time all series, Ponting has been the better captain. He has played his off-spinner into form and the selection of the side shows that he has read the pitch correctly to. Spinners will take the majority of wickets on this pitch and despite their limited stocks, Australia have selected all of the spin bowlers that they have available, combined with a longer batting line up than India. If Australia can reach or exceed India's total and if the wicket deteriorates Australia are in a position to win. Not least because Krejza now feels that he belongs at this level.

It appears that a lot of the Indian supporters on here cannot handle the truth. You thought you could plunder him to all parts, got arrogant and allowed an average bowler to take 8 wickets. At lunch, the series was over - but Indian's arrogance has kept it alive. Game on.

The word "arrogant" is a funny one.Cricket writers and bloggers have been happy to use it to describe Australian and S.A teams for years and no-one bats an eyelid.It rolls off the tongue very easily and every man and his dog jumps on board and agrees.Poor old Suresh has made the mistake of using it to describe the Indians.Shock, Horror.All of a sudden he's "mad". Sorry guys but what other word describes what happened yesterday? Jason Krejza is obviously brave and a quick learner.He has plenty of potential but right now he is only half the bowler that Harbajhan is.I doubt that Australia have the guns to win this test but if they do it will be testimony to only one thing,India's arrogance.Only 4 or 5 of these Aussies have even played a test in India.On paper before the series India were superior in all departments except perhaps batting.India is a beautifully balanced team.The big 4 plus Sehwag,Dhoni,Bhaji,Ishant and Zaheer.They should already be 3-0 up except maybe for some "arrogance".

The 6th Indian wicket (that of Dhoni) fell at the score 422. Probably, Dhoni thought a total of little over 450 would be enough to put pressure on the Australians. Its a wonderful debut for Krejza, no doubt.. but I have a feeling India has a better chance to win this game as the Australians will have to bat last.

I feel for Krejza. He was selected on a whim without having a fantastic first-class career.

He then bowled for the first time in India (tour match) and would have learnt some lessons there.

He then had to wait for a chance to get a game while Australia selected White who even says he is not a frontline spinner.

He then got his chance to bowl (having not bowled since the tour opener) and being on debut aginst an Indian side who is playing well.

Krejza walked away with 8 wkts, and was expensive. But he will learn from that experience.

How many other good to great bowlers whose first game ever in test cricket was less intriguing?

The tale will soon sort it out when (if) Kerjza ever gets another game.

8 for 215 and an average under 30 for a debut spinner, Not bad statistically, 6 of India's top 7 batsman got runs, All the Aussies need to do is get say 4 maybe 5 of the top order cheaply and India are on the rocks, Maybe if the Indian curators gave thier side a challenge by making some grassy wickets it might bring the Aussie pacemen into the game as India have no doubt made flat spinning tracks to suit thier strengths, Sharma i predicted last year in Australia is going to be an exceptional fast bowler and i like his attitude and brain, Khan played probably his best game of cricket in the 2nd test and probably won't play that well again, And if you look he did mainly only get the tail out in that game apart from 1 or 2 top order batsmen, India deserve to win as they have played the better cricket but when the game is won or lost by the flip of the coin it does amount to boring predictable cricket, At least Aussie pitches have variation that suits the better player on the day.

I agree with all you've said. I think there were instances where there was a touch of arrogance, but in the same breath, I think it was warranted. New bowler, not sucessful at domestic level, got hammered in the tour game, I wouldn't be scared either.

But they breed them tough in Australia, and that toughness is still what sets them apart. He was getting torn to shreds at various stages and kept fighting. If Australia wins, he has to be man of the match for his sheer perserverance

This article is abolutely correct. The Indian batsmen played with the arrogance and grandeur of Viv Richards, but without the talent.

In a society still so dominated and divided by class and the ruling elite, it is obvious that this has translated to the way the Indians play cricket. No respect was shown to their opponent, purely for his lack of status on the international stage, not his lack of talent.

The dominate Australian teams of the past ten years have always been arrogant, but they have never stopped respecting their opponents. Sehwag and co. made that mistake, and paid the price.

It is typical of the Indian team to think that the Aussies are a pushover.If you look at this series objectively, Australia has had the better of the exchanges. Australia NEARLY WON in the First and Third Tests. Mohali was an aberration. Simon KLatich and Mike Hussey are putting the arrogant Indians'in their place. Mark my words, Australia will score 659 by Tea on Day 4, declare, and inflict an innings defeat on India. Or draw the match. A one nil loss to India IN INDIA would be an honourable loss for Australia, considering that it took Adam Gilchrist and Ricky Ponting's Team 35 years after Bill Lawry's Team to win a series in India in 2004. If India is to think that they are No.2, to Australia, their percentage of wins AWAY should be as good as Australia's.For the present, that's a pipedream for India.That's why Australia are Champions. Forget this series. The World Championship of Test Cricket and One Day Cricket is coming up.Australia versus South Africa - home and away.

It is typical of the Indian team to think that the Aussies are a pushover.If you look at this series objectively, Australia has had the better of the exchanges. Australia NEARLY WON in the First and Third Tests. Mohali was an aberration. Simon KLatich and Mike Hussey are putting the arrogant Indians'in their place. Mark my words, Australia will score 659 by Tea on Day 4, declare, and inflict an innings defeat on India. Or draw the match. A one nil loss to India IN INDIA would be an honourable loss for Australia, considering that it took Adam Gilchrist and Ricky Ponting's Team 35 years after Bill Lawry's Team to win a series in India in 2004. If India is to think that they are No.2, to Australia, their percentage of wins AWAY should be as good as Australia's.For the present, that's a pipedream for India.That's why Australia are Champions. Forget this series. The World Championship of Test Cricket and One Day Cricket is coming up.Australia versus South Africa - home and away.

It is typical of the Indian team to think that the Aussies are a pushover.If you look at this series objectively, Australia has had the better of the exchanges. Australia NEARLY WON in the First and Third Tests. Mohali was an aberration. Simon KLatich and Mike Hussey are putting the arrogant Indians'in their place. Mark my words, Australia will score 659 by Tea on Day 4, declare, and inflict an innings defeat on India. Or draw the match. A one nil loss to India IN INDIA would be an honourable loss for Australia, considering that it took Adam Gilchrist and Ricky Ponting's Team 35 years after Bill Lawry's Team to win a series in India in 2004. If India is to think that they are No.2, to Australia, their percentage of wins AWAY should be as good as Australia's.For the present, that's a pipedream for India.That's why Australia are Champions. Forget this series. The World Championship of Test Cricket and One Day Cricket is coming up.Australia versus South Africa - home and away.

What about sachin? Is he untouchable in this matter? He was hitting Jason with such disdain that those particular strokes were looking ugly for the first time since I can remember... Anyway, nothing wrong in thrashing bad balls... just don't get carried away.

When will we ever learn? Never...I will repeat, NEVER underestimate the Australians. They are devilish in their ability to fight their way out of situations that would break lesser teams like the mentally weak Englishmen. Our boys seem to have clocked off thinking the series is over - this is a big mistake as this is where teh Aussies are tradionally at their most dangerous. Is it so much part of the Indian psyche that we do not put the foot on the throat of an opponent that is/was down and all but out...we have to charitably allow them to rise up from the grave and then like in Terminator II start coming at us? Honestly, as commendable as Krejza's performance was - the Indian batsmen should hang their collective heads in shame in the manner they sacrificed their wickets. Yet all we hear from our pundits is how this Australian team is finished and how this "young" Indian team is on the rise. It is an age old lesson - never disrespect and underestimate your opponent.

India have given Australia a chance of victory when they could have sealed the series. India are still in the best position in this game but they have given Australia a chance to put them under pressure. For me, the most interesting aspect of Krejza's performance was how well Ponting managed him. So far in this game, for the first time all series, Ponting has been the better captain. He has played his off-spinner into form and the selection of the side shows that he has read the pitch correctly to. Spinners will take the majority of wickets on this pitch and despite their limited stocks, Australia have selected all of the spin bowlers that they have available, combined with a longer batting line up than India. If Australia can reach or exceed India's total and if the wicket deteriorates Australia are in a position to win. Not least because Krejza now feels that he belongs at this level.

Arrogance? Were you watching the game? Or did you feed off the likes of Prem Panicker? Dude! Come on. Sehwag's wicket was classic Captaincy. Did you see what Ponting did just before Viru got out? Dravid's is owefully out of form and it showed (reminded me of Ponting during their 2001 trip). Ganguly and Dhoni batted out the whole session and it was obvious they were going for quick runs after lunch. So, where did the arrogance come from? Krejza was pummelled for over 200 runs and yeah, well, he got wickets to show. If you bowl over 40 overs, you will end up getting a few any way. Sometimes I wonder whether you guys really watch (and understand) the game before start typing the story in. Now I understand why you "went from being a promising cricketer to a has-been". Understanding test cricket takes more than a blog space bud. All of the top order (save for Dravid) going past 50 is arrogance!!! Watch what happens to his bowling in the second innigs. 200 will feel like charity then.

I don't think arrogance felled India, but it sure as hell let Australia back into the game! At Lunch the Aussies were practically dead and buried, but by stumps the game was evenly poised (and a result looks quite likely). Krejza made it possible, and Katich has continued the good work, but judgement of the Indians should probably be reserved until the match is over. If India lose... then arrogance no doubt!

Maybe Krejza was lucky. But it's important to note that Harbhajan has not looked nearly as dangerous, and if he bowls similarly poorly on Day 3, then perhaps estimations of Krejza's performance will need to be revisited!

A memo to all the Indians complaining about the team being called arrogant. Just relax and start learning to understand criticism. I know that Indians take the slightest criticism to heart as a national slur, but you need to understand that criticsm is not meant to be permanent nor a slur on a nation. The writer was merely saying that on this occassion the batsmen treated the bowler too arrogantly. Surely you would agree with this?? He is not saying that the Indian team are arrogant nor that Indians are arrogant. Nor was he saying the Indians are more arrogant than the Australians. Not being able to take criticism when it is due is a sign of immaturity.

This is not arrogance this is dullai of Kreza.come on people if the bowler got hit for 215 run and bowled 40+ odd overs He is supposed to get some thing.All the wickets he got are the bad shot.If indian's decided to play him for a day then they could have been but the way they treated him was like lollypop.They took 215 of 441 runs of his bowling So that was complete dominace.Wait today is the third day,we will take lead around 100 and watch Bhajji in fourth inning on this pitch/Ausies going to doom now.There firts series after long back they won't win a single test.India is going to be the future of the world cricket in Test One day and T20..So guys don't worry We have batsman who scored above 400 runs in last 5 innings..India Is best

Reading alot of these comments just reaffirms my belief that the majority of Indians are unable to accept any criticism of their national team.
Take the Sydney Test for example, the Gambhir suspension and basically any incident that does not reflect favourably on their team.
The vast majority of Indian supporters need to realise that the mistakes their national crickets make must not go unpunished for the good of the game. Katch was not provoked by Gambhir, in fact it was Gambhir who called Katich a **** cheat..The rest of the world is not out to get you Indian supporters..Arrogance is definately what bought about the Indian teams downfall yesterday. Well written article.

I wouldn't have said the Indian batsmen were arrogant, just careless with some of their shot selection. 441 is a reasonable score but they really should have scored 550 plus. Maybe because Australia has to win this test to retain the trophy made them a little loose with their shots as they believed they only have to draw this test.
If Australia bat well today and some of tomorrow, India could be looking down the barrel a little bit. Rule number one in world cricket, no matter how down and out they may appear, never ever underestimate the Australians or their ability to win from any situation. Well bowled Krejza, i remember another spinner a few years ago debuted against Indian and he didn't look like much then either. Now what was his name again, was it Warne or something like that..........

it is too harsh to say indian players arrogant. though krejza took 8 wickets in his first match but india has made a decent score. you cant expect 500 or 600+ in every match. it is the game of cricket where uncertainty can be expected any time. what would the words in the article if sahwag had made century in the same way he was playing. it is cricket where players are bound to make mistakes. still 3 more days are to come and i wish india come to the ground strongly and win the series.

Iam blogging for the first time. Very sorry Mr.Sambit about the heading of your article. Really really sorry about it. You better get some dececnt title headings for your future articles!!!!! Yes congrats for Jason getting 8 wickets on debut but to call the gifting away of wickets by India as ARROGANCE it is just overboard mate!!!!!!!! Just call it as typical INDIAN OVERCONFIDENCE!!!!!!!!!! ok. Otherwise I like reading your articles though.

Arrogance alright. They didnt give him any respect and paid for it, taking too many chances rather than playing on the merit of the ball, they played the bowler. Harbhajan it seems is really overrated, eversince the influx of One Day cricket and 20-20 he has just forgotten to flight the ball. He must try and bowl a lot slower and outside offstump and be patient, take a few cover drives and encourage batsmen. But alas one boundary and the next ball is a dart on legstump. He has forgotten the basics of spin bowling and expects to run through all the time. It cannot always happen that he picks 32 Australian wickets all the time. Patience is the key. Throughout the series Zaheer and Ishant were standout but surprisingly since Delhi Test Match they are not being considered as wicket takers and both Anil and Dhoni have over relied on spin to pick wickets.

The test match is not finished yet. So could you please wait till the last ball is bowled.
You dont have to remind all of us about the arrogance inside Harbhajan. But he is also a champion bowler. Though he doesnot command respect as that of Kumble for his on and off field behavior, it is sheer stupidity to compare the debutant with Harbhajan who had time and again proven to be one of the greatest spinners.
Maybe Krejza become a Hirwani.
Just to remind you, success should be sustained before you start using the statsguru.

I believe that Test cricket competition is tough. Call it "arrogance" or "self belief", only the toughest win. And toughness is all about a mental attitude. Too many wimpy responses to this blog, in my view. Australia have always had "self belief". And indeed they still have it. They are a great team going through some adjustments. India, good on you for exhibiting "self belief". Attacking Kredzja and other bowlers, that is what any batsman should do. In the battle for supremacy, only the tough will win - while others fall by the way side. This is the only test match worth watching - I think Australia will come back strong.

Well, Krejza got 8 wickets after being taken to the cleaners. He got wickets because Dhoni and Dada were in a hurry to get quick runs. As far as arrogance on the field is concerned, it is payback time to the Aussies. These days they are running to the umpires for everything like sissies. Earlier they were the ones who used to say whatever happens on the field remains on the field. By the time they leave India they will be mentally disintegrated further.

OK OK, every thing that Indians do is wrong and every thing that Australians do is correct, even that great scoring rate on day three. This is called arrogance dipped with lots of stupidity!! Watch those ETs giving statements after the 3rd day, ''it was all Indian's fault that we could not score''. Ha ha, what shameless players and their support media!!

I don't think arrogance is a fair word to use under the circumstances but am baffled as to how the debutant could take 8 wickets but the more experienced Bhajji could only manage 3 - one would have expected Bahajji to run through the side?

Was laughing at some of the Aussies trying to bring in class-divisions into the analysis of the way the spinner was treated. Ultimately it boils down to the result of this match. If India draw or win, the spinner was lucky, if Australia wins, Indians were arrogant and/or the spinner was brilliant

I was waiting the whole day to see toss up deliveries. it was boring but then dhoni was playing with aussie minds and i would say Dhoni won 60-40 at the end of the day. Test cricket is about that only who won at the end of the day. Best part is Ian Chappel crying over one sided fields, I like that.

For Mark and all the other Aussies out there yes India are arrogant and they have a right to be after all India has been pushing the Aussies to the wire for the last ten years. Rankings dont mean a great deal.Check out the stats on the head to heads for the last ten years or so. Three series each home and away, This series is the decider and the Aussies cant win it even if the win the test.The Aussies have been cheating and bullying their way to the top for a decade. easy pickings the Poms,the West Indians, the Pakistanies,and the kiwis dont amount to much, if you want to be the best you have to play against the best. Tendulkar, Shewag, VVS and co have been kicking you sorry butts for years. Steve Waugh coined the phrase "mental disintegration". India looked the kangaroo in the eye. and like all bullies the kangaroo disintigrated

Arrogance or whatever, one thing is sure.. australia is on the backseat and we are driving.. and India can take the pride of the fact that it was we who finished australian dominance in cricket and in sledging

Well, I would say KREZA was TOO ARROGANT to give away so many runs, he could have bowled flatter to prevent the batsmen scoring easily ... lol.. Will that be OK????

Come on guys kreza bowled in the right areas to get his wickets full credit to him... but I would say that he is no better or maybe slightly better
than sehwag as a spinner uptill now, he might improve in the future...
Indians batted well against him who was bowling in the right areas n just took him on from the word go.By doing that they just ensured that they have enough runs on the board n ample time to bowl aussies out.. without india batting so agressively unlike aussies who seemed to be playing for a draw this morning there could have been another dull draw in the series...
No point calling them "arrogant" which sends a pessimitic view about their way of batting which i find amusing coz it comes only coz they lost their wickets doing that wat about all the other occasions when they were successfull....

call it arrogance or contempt, clearly the indian players didnt think highly of kreza. when you do that with an opponent, it usually comes back to bite you. The Aussies didn't rate Gambhir highly enough, but they learned their lesson. (Not referring to the elbow incident, but the runs he scored).

This was, I would say - a desperate need to bring in some serious cricket followers to your blog and for some reason - to make statements for maybe which, Suresh, had planned to make an impression on the minds of the reader of how big of a critic and analyser you are of the game, Cricket. Calling India as "Arrogant" would be something off the limits considering the decent score it had set up on boards. True, Krejza was not taken seriously and as a sign of that - the amount of runs conceded by him is itself self-explanatory. As for the 8 wickets that he was able to take was not due to, I would say, extraordinary bowling skills. 8 wickets can be termed as a Huge achievement for debutant but at the same time - its necessary to look at the number of runs conceded and that my Friend, is not at all a sign of a good bowler in Krejza. Drawing comparisons with Krejza and bhajji, for who had taken 300 wickets for India is just blasphemous and ingorant of you.Hope this would bring you to your sen

I know this is not going to be published. Please get a descent photograph of writer. Again an article full of shit. I failed to read through it again. Just to let you know.

The Indian batsmen played with a freedom that hasn't been seen in years. Almost all batsmen played their natural game. In the process, if the opposing offie got 8 wickets, we must also not forget that he accounted for almost hald the innings total. May India long continue to play with this freedom--victory and defeat is only a conclusion; the early chapters must be enjoyable as was the case in the first innings of the Nagpur Test.

Good article but i think it is not arrogance or out of the blue thing, In last couple of years, can any one let me know how many match winning performance have we seen from Indian Spiners (and i am talking about like the ones Bhaji made his mark with or Jumbo's routine performances five yr's back) and how many times spiners from other teams have walked away with exceptional performances. there are couple of reasons for this one No Indian current spiner (yes including Bhaji and all his antics, and even Jumbo himself in last couple of years) has the class of Jumbo of yester years, so it means no match winning performaces from bowling side whereas the Batsmen (the core/ fab four) have routinly been out of form with fitness level not the same as it used to be and every thing to go with it ie eye sight, reflexes etc. SO GUYS YOU SHOULD HAVE SEEN IT COMING

Gerard, let the indian team show some consistency against other teams for a sustained period, before even comparing it with the great australian side of the last 10 years. Also, if aussies have been cheating their way through dominance, then alas, you dont understand the game of cricket at all. Also india are soon to go through a transition phase which the aussies are undergoing, and the we will actually get to know about the "bench strength" of the Indians. In spite of being a far superior side to the present australian team, they barely managed to escape with a draw in bangalore, and failed to win in delhi in spite of scoring 600+ runs. And in Nagpur the test is poised for an exciting finish. So apart from the Mohali win, India has failed to dominate aus, the way australia used to dominate other teams including India in India ..in the last 3 series prior to this one aus has won 5 matches to 3 losses, and 2 of their losses were in a dead rubber, hardly a point of India standingupto au

It was not the arrogance of the Indians but the stupidity of the Australian team that we ought to be talking about here.
Yes, he took 12 wickets in the match but by conceding above 360 runs -2nd highest ever in the test history.
When the Australian team says a sentence it is a sign of confidence and when the opposition says the same thing it is arrogance! Mr journo! let us get to the basics of journalism where you are supposed to be more like a referee and not an emotional whining chap!

Looks like India will win the series. Well done, India, and let's see if the Indians will have more controversies in the upcoming Tests against England and Pakistan. I think not. I think it is Australia who brings out the worst in teams, in cricket at least. And it is not because they are number one in the world, it is because they ask for it. Again, congrats, India, well played. Cheers. By the way, since Yousuf is not playing, you should beat Pakistan easily, because we have no coach and the captain is a third rate cricketer called Shoaib Malik.

i don't think this is an article at 1st place and the writor has lost his senses which is very typical for the media in India wherein one good performance will make a player god and one bad we know what. Even the Fab five were not spared by the media. speak about spinner i personnaly feel spinner who takes wicket in bunches and more so of the top order. i dont this in that param,eter any body is above Bhajji. i am not saying that Kreja is not a good bowled but he is just 1 test match. let him play few more than only let us pass any judgement. it is applicable to Amit Mishra as well.........

U guys love sticking a knife in when u can. Was seeing all your posts.. arrogance, apologies, BCCI bullying.. can u see anything other than negative? We can do without 'writers' like you.

Why is it "confidence" when you carry on like a pork chop in the Indian team but "arrogance" when you carry on like a pork chop in the Australian team? Let's face it - both sides are arrogant. No coincidence that they are the two best sides in the world at the moment! But the thing that concerns me is that India (especially off the field) are acting like bullies. Sob, sob Ghambir was found guilty of elbowing - we don't like the decision and will appeal. What ... we lost the appeal!?! As if thiswas the first time Ghambir had transgressed. India "got away" with one when Singh was let off following the Sydney test (another serial transgressor). Arrogance mixed with being a bully on and off the field is an EXTREMELY dangerous mixture.

Clearly India is the best cricket nation in the world at the moment. Learn to wear that mantle with grace - something that Australia was not good at - but India is proving to be worse at!

australia have won a test series in india five times whereas india have never won a test series in australia, australia lead india in all-time head to head in odis in all conditions and all countries, they lead india in head to head in all forms of the game in history, india have won only 4 tests in australia to 24 losses, india have historically lost twice the no of matches than they have won in cricket history, u know, india can never be at the top or anywhere close like it has always been.they will remain down the pack as always.
i am not coming back ever to read anything on this discussion.i have not read any posts.