For your information, Ganguly was NOT the captain in 1996. He and Dravid made their test debut together in 1996 in England. India did not play well and did not deserve to be in 2nd round. Even if they had gone to 2nd round, they would have been thrashed soundly by Aus, SA, NZ and perhaps WI (notwithstanding the warm up game win by India). During the last 1 year, India lost every 1 day series played abroad. Indian batting is suspect on helpful conditions, pace bowling average at best (I think Dilharo Fernando, who is not even a regular in SL side is much better than any of the Indian pace bowlers - he bowls consistently at 140 and swings both ways) and fielding is hopelessly bad. Harbhajan is vastly overrated bowler. This guy cannot take wickets on normal pitches and always needs spin friendly wickets. So on what basis was the expectation that they would reach last 4 or win the cup? Even if you replace the whole team with young players the result would be the same. They might win a few games here and there but they lack the skills and nerves to consistently perform well at the highest stage.There is no fighting spirit like the Aus and SA. Look at their teams, in any game atleast 2 of the top 6 batsmen would click and they play as a team. You bring Rainas, RP Singhs, Rohit Sharmas, Gambhirs or anyone the result would be the same. They are all proven failures. Vengsarkar is right when he says that the bench strength is not good. The domestic infrastructure needs to be improved and made very competitive, prepare helpful wickets and make fitness the topmost priority. But the pity is that once the team wins a few games at home on flat pitches, everything is forgotten and the players are again put on highest pedestals.
