India in Australia, 2011-2012 Test Series: 4th Test, Day 5

Jan 27, 2012
Michael Perera

Michael Clarke was adjudged Man of the Series for his 626 runs at 125.20, as Australia defeated India 4-0 - brettm8 / Flickr

Michael Clarke leads Australia's cricket team to a comprehensive victory over India by 298 runs, and seals the 2012 whitewash by 4 games to 0.

Four measly wickets was all that stood between Australia and reclaiming the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. For Michael Clarke's men, it would be the cherry on the cake of a stupendous rebuilding effort after the disastrous Ashes series. They dominated with bat and ball, mindset and body language. India's abject performance this series has raised comparisons with the England whitewash of last year, but at least India occasionally had the better of a session during that tour. Not this time.

India Last Just 12 Overs

It took just three overs for Australia to take the first of the four wickets they needed (Ishant Sharma). Wriddhiman Saha was the second of the four, and he was gone in the very next over, as India slumped from their overnight score of 166/6 to 170/8. Zaheer Khan swiped three boundaries, but perished going for another one to make it 193/9. It was Nathan Lyon who had the honor of wrapping up the game, and the series, for Australia, forcing an edge from Umesh Yadav, as India were all out for 201. Australia won the fourth Test by 298 runs and the series by 4 games to 0.

"Nothing to See Here"

While the news that there were no retirements imminent might have given the disappointed Indian fans some modicum of comfort, Virender Sehwag's dismissive attitude towards India's dismal performance - reiterating his team's 2-0 victory over Australia at home and insisting that no changed need to be made - is probably a greater cause for concern than India's eight consecutive away loss. Since the beginning of this series, India have lost by margins of 122 runs, an innings and 68 runs, an innings and 37 runs, and 298 runs.

Is the euphoria of the World Cup still lingering? Is the anticipation of the IPL getting to the players? Sehwag's captaincy comments were much like his batting - flashy, indifferent, and not without arrogance. It's great when India wins. When they've sunk to their eight consecutive loss outside of India, it hints at a problem that is not going to improve anytime soon.

The Return of Australia?

For Michael Clarke and his team, no such concerns. It's scary to think that despite how easily they overwhelmed India, they still have Shane Watson, Mitchell Johnson, James Pattinson and Doug Bollinger waiting in the wings. Ricky Ponting has ensured no one will be pushing him out of the game, and Clarke himself showed that captaincy would not affect his batting. David Warner impressed mightily with his 180, but failures in his other at-bats means his place at the top of the innings is not assured. And the less said about Shaun Marsh, the better.

The only criticism of Clarke's captaincy of Australia this series is that he wasn't tested hard enough.