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India tops

The other day, we had provided details of the nine biggest run chases in ODI history. While discussing the findings, we had pointed out a couple of cricketing ironies:

(a) India, supposedly one of the worst chasing teams in the world, has in fact chased 300+ twice;

(b) India, with one of the weakest bowling attacks in the world, has never been on the losing end where opponents chase big totals put up by India.

In response to this, a reader had written in, with this comment: "The reason that India does not find itself in the losers category could have to do with the kind of scores they set when playing first. One needs to see how many times has India set scores of 275+ and then defended it. It might be a good idea to check out how many times each of the cricketing nations have set scores of 275+ and then defended it. Another reason for not figuring in losers would also depend on who was the team chasing the score. I mean Bangladesh chasing a score of 300+ and not reaching does not mean anything."

Interesting mail. The most interesting aspect of it, to us, was that it provides another sign of the readiness with which we are prepared to devalue our own efforts, while glorifying that of others.

In response, here is an interesting table, which speaks for itself. In sum: on 19 occasions, India has posted totals in excess of 275 and successfully defended it, against not "Bangladesh", but against New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Australia, Pakistan, and West Indies, among others.

On the other hand, there has only been one single instance when India has scored over 275 and failed to defend it successfully.

So what does that tell you?

One, that we are only too ready to believe the worst of our team. And two, which is more important, that if the Indian batting clicks, India wins.

Food for thought? Meanwhile, here is the full table:

SCORES OVER 275 SUCCESSFULLY DEFENDED BY INDIA

Score	Balls Faced	For	Vs	Score	Balls Faced	Date	Venue
376-2	313	Ind	NZ	202	207	8/11/1999	Hyderabad (I)
373-6	306	Ind	SL	216	262	26/05/1999	Taunton
329-2	302	Ind	Ken	235-7	302	23/05/1999	Bristol
309-5	308	Ind	Aus	268	284	1/04/1998	Cochin
307-6	303	Ind	SL	301	302	7/07/1998	Khettarama
307-8	307	Ind	Aus	263	291	28/10/1998	Dhaka
305-5	302	Ind	Pak	277	275	15/04/1996	Sharjah
301-3	307	Ind	Zim	269	300	9/04/1998	Cuttack
299-4	245	Ind	SL	289-7	240	17/01/1987	Wankhede
296-4	307	Ind	SL	247-9	255	29/08/1999	Colombo (SSC)
291-9	301	Ind	SL	132-6	116	23/08/1997	Colombo (SSC)
289-6	301	Ind	Aus	233	294	22/10/1987	Delhi (FSK)
289-3	300	Ind	NZ	182	279	3/11/1994	Delhi (FSK)
289-6	303	Ind	Aus	284	299	3/11/1996	Mohali
287-8	303	Ind	Pak	248-9	294	9/03/1996	Bangalore
287-4	307	Ind	SL	207	239	22/03/1999	Nagpur
286-6	301	Ind	SL	235	285	30/03/1999	Poona
282-5	293	Ind	WI	255-9	283	29/03/1983	Berbice
277-6	300	Ind	Zim	170	233	1/10/1999	Nairobi (Gym)

SCORES OVER 275 UNSUCCESSFULLY DEFENDED BY INDIA

Scores	Balls Faced	For	Versus	Score	Balls Faced	Date	Venue
287-4	301	Ind	SA	288-2	284	14/11/1991	New Delhi