The best Indian side: India (2007-2011) vs India (2015-2022)

[subshakerz]

Assuming the match is being played in India(duh) then I'm going with 2007-11 team. Sehwag would absolutely murder any spinner and pace bowler in India. Sachin and Dravid need no introduction. And I think even though there is a gulf in bowling, with the match being played in India the gulf isn't as pronounced as the batting is.

In subcontinent, the 2007 unit would beat Kohli's team convincingly based on superior batting strength and countering their spinners. On a spinning track, Sehwag, Dravid, Laxman and Tendulkar have a much better chance vs Ashwin/Jadeja than Rohit, Kohli, Rahane and Pujara vs Kumble/Harbi.

In Australia, Kohli's team would win it clearly based on their better fast bowling stocks.

In England/SA/NZ, Kohli's team would lose since their middle order is far more susceptible to lateral movement.

Hence 2007 team is simply a better all-round team than Kohli's and also have a better track record too.

 

[ankitj]

Recency bias but I will choose the current team. I have more hope with this team before any test played anywhere than I ever had with the old team.

 

[subshakerz]

Recency bias but I will choose the current team. I have more hope with team before any test played anywhere than I ever had with the old team.

It's almost like its an overachiever vs underachiever battle.

Frankly, the biggest problem with Kohli's team is underperforming at key moments. Even though they were favorites often, they didnt take advantage of winning opportunities. Australia 2021 being the exception where they defied expectations.

Whereas Dhoni's team never had to face such hype and expectations and ended up with a better record.

 

[subshakerz]

Why is this 2007-2011 and not 2003-2011.75% team composition remained the same only main change I remember Kumble and Ganguly being main part in the first half while Dhoni and Gambhir being integral post 2007.

I think draw 1-1 with Aus in 2003 was a bigger achievement then a 2-1 win in 2018

Yes that is fair, I think the 2007 onwards vintage built on the foundation of Ganguly.

 

[Pap Finn Keighl]

Bowling sucks vs Batting sucks

 

[srbhkshk]

2015 - 2022 Batting does not suck, it's just worse than the first team, 2020-2022 batting sucks.

 

[Daemon]

Just to be clear, are we actually counting 2011? Because that puts the older side wayyy behind. They were beyond embarrassing.

 

[subshakerz]

Just to be clear, are we actually counting 2011? Because that puts the older side wayyy behind. They were beyond embarrassing.

Post-WC 2011, that Indian team clearly lost their drive. I am assuming up till that point.

 

[subshakerz]

2015 - 2022 Batting does not suck, it's just worse than the first team, 2020-2022 batting sucks.

I dont think that side was ever good in swinging conditions though. Except for Kohli, their lineup struggled in SA and England in 2018.

 

[shortpitched713]

The first team's duration is a bit cherry picked here. Is it based on a Test captaincy span? Otherwise I don't see why you'd start at 2007, creating a 5 year span, where the latter has an 8 year span, which is a huge difference, even if you take out a year for COVID or something.

 

[Daemon]

The first team's duration is a bit cherry picked here. Is it based on a Test captaincy span? Otherwise I don't see why you'd start at 2007, creating a 5 year span, where the latter has an 8 year span, which is a huge difference, even if you take out a year for COVID or something.

I think it still helps the newer side, you get to count a draw in England and the latest BG win.

 

[subshakerz]

The first team's duration is a bit cherry picked here. Is it based on a Test captaincy span? Otherwise I don't see why you'd start at 2007, creating a 5 year span, where the latter has an 8 year span, which is a huge difference, even if you take out a year for COVID or something.

Yeah I dont mind using 2001 to 2011 which is the entirety of the golden era too.

2007 to 2011 was their most productive phase which built off the Ganguly captaincy before that.

 

[srbhkshk]

you gotta stop including 2011 there, seriously. India played ZERO tests for two years after winning the world cup.

 

[Xix2565]

Still not seeing why batting is being overrated and bowling is being underrated so much. You'll need more than basic big averages to convince me Tendu and co can reliably handle Ashwin/Jaddu and the pacers when they've struggled against good attacks before.

 

[CricAddict]

Also 2007 side has only 4 bowlers while 2015 side has 5 bowlers. The 2007 side will struggle to get the 2015 side out far more comparatively.

 

[Calm_profit]

I think Kohli's team has underachieved apart from winning series in Australia.

 

[subshakerz]

Also 2007 side has only 4 bowlers while 2015 side has 5 bowlers. The 2007 side will struggle to get the 2015 side out far more comparatively.

Only in Australia maybe.

 

[subshakerz]

Still not seeing why batting is being overrated and bowling is being underrated so much. You'll need more than basic big averages to convince me Tendu and co can reliably handle Ashwin/Jaddu and the pacers when they've struggled against good attacks before.

Sehwag, Laxman and Tendulkar were ace players on spin, but you can bet if they struggle against Ashwin/Jadeja on their tailormade pitches, then Kumble/Harbi will rip through Kohli's side.

In England/SA/NZ, I back 2007 India against the current bowling attack more than the current batting who seem much more prone to collapse at the first sign of swing. Zaheer in that 2007 - 2011 phase was worldclass in those conditions.

Only in Australia will the current team have a definite advantage as their batting is quite adept in those conditions.

 

[subshakerz]

you gotta stop including 2011 there, seriously. India played ZERO tests for two years after winning the world cup.

India drew against SA and won the WC by early 2011, that's why.

 

[Xix2565]

Sehwag, Laxman and Tendulkar were ace players on spin, but you can bet if they struggle against Ashwin/Jadeja on their tailormade pitches, then Kumble/Harbi will rip through Kohli's side.

In England/SA/NZ, I back 2007 India against the current bowling attack more than the current batting who seem much more prone to collapse at the first sign of swing. Zaheer in that 2007 - 2011 phase was worldclass in those conditions.

Only in Australia will the current team have a definite advantage as their batting is quite adept in those conditions.

Ridiculous even from you. I'm not exactly sure why vague feelings is still considered to be some sort of reasonable answer in such discussions.