you've got two, three guys who make every side in the world and another three who well...don't. it's kind of a weird line up. burns is burns. wade barely averages 30 and paine is paine. india (before this test) and nz have less or no gaping holes in the top six than aus but also no smith who is a level above kohli and kane.
I think you have to asterisk it hard until it actually plays some series away from home (counting the 2019 Ashes as start of this "era"). Honestly, as amusing as it sounds, I'd still probably say India has the best batting lineup in the world. Or NZ although them completely shitting the bed last summer does leave a bad taste in the mouth.
I think India can be a lot better if they draft in Rahul and Rohit. I asked this question a few days back with the risk of sounding ignorant that I have no clue of what's going on in Ranji trophy etc and blokes like Vihari and Agrawal must be very prolific but I'd rather see them playing them than say Rahul. As it stand, they are too reliant in that middle order so it's no different to Australia
Actually, it took RSA playing better cricket and Australia resorting to cheating. RSA beat Australia fair and square last time around. Funny enough, back then, they faced essentially the same Aussie bowling attack...Never realized how long Cummins has been around....
You're searching very hard for a gotcha where there isn't one to find. The "external factors" mentioned were was the general psychological collapse of the Aus team that started in the very bitter aftermath of the first Test, it was all downhill from Aus from there until the obvious.
There are literal books on the topic if you care to find out, as well as many articles. I don't particularly feel like rehashing something that is well established public knowledge by now. The stairwell altercation between de Kock and Warner, the whole mess surrounding the Rabada charge that the Aus camp felt should have been upheld etc etc; all involved said that the downwards spiral in the mentality and overall psychological state of the team started after the first game (which they had won).
Australia lost fair and square. If they didn't have the mental fortitude to deal with a lil off field dust up then that's on them. Let's agree to disagree.
At least the top 3 could have IMO. That is just 4 test matches and you can have it done and dusted in a month.
This aged well
Posted to console Indian fans. 36 AO not as embarrassing as the quoted post. And what? no more comments from you since this one? Shame ...
It did though. This test was far more enjoyable than anything which happened last year.