However, colour their jerseys blue and see the difference. The Indian cricket team then bears a completely different look, one that fears no opposition, no wicket and no history. With the slips out, the batsmen are able to unleash their strokeplay even with two new balls coming into play. The bowlers look more 'at home', while the fielding, boosted by young legs, attains a different level altogether.
This anomaly is best explained when you see India currently languish at the No. 7 position in Test cricket, which is played by not more than 10 countries, even as they rock and roll in the ODI world, being ranked No. 2 behind Australia, with as many points (117).
Powered by a group of exceptional players, India did travel well for a while in Test cricket, but since the last four years, the gap between India's Test and ODI fortunes in overseas conditions has widened.
Sample this: Since winning the World Cup in April 2011, while playing abroad, they have lost as many as 15 Tests, with just a couple of wins. The figure, in this case, is marginally better for the Indian ODI team-21 wins against 18 losses in 44 games (two games were tied while three didn't produce a result), with a creditable ICC Champions Trophy triumph in England in 2013 to show off.
It is indeed ironic that as they launch into the tri-series against England and Australia before defending their World Cup title, India would feel comfortable and secure being led by a man who, perhaps sick and tired of losing overseas Tests on a consistent basis, has now chosen to play only in the limited overs format.
The same MS Dhoni, who would be hauled on the coals for his 'indifferent approach' in Test cricket would now again be hailed as 'Captain Cool.' Former India skipper and chief selector Dilip Vengsarkar hits the nail on the head while reasoning out why India would appear a different proposition in limited overs cricket. "The single-biggest factor is that when it comes to the ODIs, our bowlers don't have to bowl more than 10 overs at the most, whereas in a Test match one may be required to deliver as many as 25 in a day. When it comes to bowling 10 overs or four in the case of a T20 match, our bowlers are effective," Vengsarkar told TOI on Monday.
Former India seamer Manoj Prabhakar, a known exponent of swing bowling in his time, believes the IPL is contributing much to make India an ODI power, which 'blacks out' outside home in Tests. "We have to thank the IPL for giving exposure to our batsmen to hit out against bowlers who clock 140-plus. However, while the IPL has helped us improve our batting, it hasn't done the same to our bowling. It has helped the batsmen invent upper cut, scoops and all kinds of strokes, but there has been not a single invention in bowling.
Our bowlers don't even know how to 'reverse' the ball," Prabhakar said.
As India begin their tri-series campaign on January 18 against Australia, bet on a few things to happen. Even though he has had a miserable time in Tests, Shikhar Dhawan might just recover form. Ravindra Jadeja, if he is fit again, will look like a match-winner.
It won't be long before you forget Suresh Raina and Rohit Sharma's struggles in Test cricket.
Even the clueless pacers will be striding in with renewed vigour, consigning their Test flop show to history. And at the end of it all, you might yet again see Dhoni walking away with a stump and a smile on his face.
It is a fascinating paradox, which keeps the sponsors and fans happy, but the purists sad, with the players and officials oscillating between the two. Almost the worst in Tests. Almost the best in one-day cricket.
Maybe, just maybe, someday we will fix this. But from now, till the next couple of months, just sit back and enjoy the 'worldbeaters' in action.
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