Confident Indians fight through tight situations
On a day when both India and Australia made a lot of mistakes on the field, the home team won by a big margin in the end thereby gaining a 1-0 lead in the five match one-day series
Woorkheri Raman
26-Mar-2001
On a day when both India and Australia made a lot
of mistakes on the field, the home team won by a big margin in
the end thereby gaining a 1-0 lead in the five match one-day
series. Ganguly started off the series of mistakes by spooning
a catch to short cover and the brief innings of his suggested
that he was struggling with his footwork. Tendulkar
established his authority over McGrath with scintillating
shots and his run out gave Australia the much-needed respite.
Laxman batted with great confidence and he got carried away
with his touch by holing out in the deep. Dravid had the task
of bringing some stability and sanity into the Indian innings
as the top three batsmen indicated that they were intent on
smashing each and every delivery to the fence.
The Indians
maintained a good run rate but lost wickets at regular
intervals when Virender Shewag, the stocky all-rounder from
Delhi walked into bat. The remarkable aspect about his batting
was that he played as he normally plays without getting fazed
by the situation. Agreed that there was every chance of him
messing up the situation by getting out because of his
aggression but yesterday was his day and his half-century
could not have come at a better time. He flourished in the
company of Dravid who showed that he is capable of getting
runs quickly in the one-dayers provided he is left to his own
devices. The partnership between Shewag and Dravid broke
whatever resilience the Aussies had, but their spirit was
completely broken by the street-smart cricketer Vijay Dahiya.
Dahiya coming back into the side played according to the
situation of the game as he normally does and that is the
reason he is such a useful cricketer to have.
The pitch was
loaded totally in favour of the batsmen and the hosts would
not have been too sure about restricting the Aussies. Mark
Waugh has been the key figure whenever the Australians chased
big targets successfully and his early dismissal was not what
the Aussies wanted. Matthew Hayden continued his good form and
he along with Bevan the champion one-day batsman went about
the task in a methodical manner. The Bevan-Hayden partnership
at one stage looked like making a mockery of the huge target
as they got the runs at will. Ganguly brought himself on and
he was successful in breaking the partnership as he has done
often in the past. This was the major turning point in the
Australian innings and with Hayden falling shortly to Shewag,
the Australians lost their way. There were a couple of
doubtful decisions but the Aussies were nowhere near the
target in the end. The difference at Bangalore was the
confidence of the Indians as they fought through every tight
situation.
The hosts looked more purposeful and appeared to be
enjoying the game and the body language suggested that they
have got rid of the awe about the Australians. Still the
Indians have a few things to work upon, especially the
fielding and throwing. It was good to see the youngsters
coming to the rescue as Shewag did yesterday and if this kind
of attitude prevails amongst them, then the team
management can't ask for more. So much so that Robin Singh was
left out and this is where the think tank has to have a second
thought. There is no point in keeping the senior most
cricketer in the reserves after picking him in the squad. A
youngster would benefit more by being in the reserves rather
than someone like Robin Singh. Going by what happened at
Bangalore, the Indians would be better off bringing in
deserving youngsters thick and fast.