Why this is not the worst phase for Indian cricket in Tests

India may have conceded the series to England on Monday to mark one of the worst phases in Tests for the team, in terms of winning percentage. It however, isn't the worst.

Statistics from the previous 25 years show that India's record in the longest form of the game from August 21, 2011 till Monday gives the side a winning percentage of just 29.41. It however is still better than the phase between February 25, 1998 and March 6 2000 in which India's success was a measly 12.50%. The current team has lost 10 since August last - the same number of defeats as in the 1998-2000 period - but has at least won 5 in the 17 Tests played and therefore, the better record.

India's worst performance in terms of success though was between November 27, 1996 and December 7, 1997 when the team led by Sachin Tendulkar won just one Test in as many as fifteen played. 10 of these were drawn.

The period between February 3, 1987 and December 9, 1989 was also bad, highlighted by a success rate of 15% with 3 wins from 20 Tests and 6 defeats. There were three captains in the period - Dileep Vengsarkar, Ravi Shastri and Krishnamachari Srikkanth.

The current skipper in MS Dhoni however would be better off not taking solace from these numbers and quoting from them. Having lost overseas - England and Australia - the home series was billed to be a clash for revenge. It clearly did not happen as his side was out-played in almost every aspect.

Stats by Rajesh Kumar