Windies let the advantage slip

India went one up in the three match Test series with a thoroughly professional approach to the target that was set for them. The target would have been even bigger if the bowlers had not bowled as well as they did. Ashwin, in particular was the pick of the bowlers with his variety and he was well supported by Yadav and Ojha. It was also good to see Ishant Sharma bowl with good rhythm and when Zaheer gets fit then India will certainly have a potent attack. The pitch as Ashwin described was neither loaded in favour of the batsman nor for the bowlers and it was thus unusual for an Indian pitch which is either batting friendly or gives the bowler’s too much help.

It did play a lot better on day three and that is where the West Indies lost the match. They had taken a handsome lead of 95 runs which could have been boosted, but the West Indies batsmen lost their wickets, thanks to a timid approach by their top order batsmen. Sure, they were inexperienced, but even then just poking at deliveries was not going to help. It was the experienced Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Darren Sammy that showed them that there was nothing in the pitch for the bowler’s and they could survive and even score if they were positive. The lower order also added valuable runs and emphasized in doing so that the top order had let the team down. The Indians were far too versed in how to play on such pitches and once Sehwag did his unorthodox bit and got the team off to a solid start with Gambhir. Then the duo of Dravid and Tendulkar ensured that there were no alarms. Both played straight, did not look to play across the line and picked up runs steadily. There was no rush in any case since there was plenty of time left to get the total that had been set for them.

Tendulkar got to a mind boggling 15000 runs in the course of his innings and just when it looked that he would get his hundredth international century, he was out trying to play a pull shot and was leg before when the ball kept low. What it shows is that the best of batsmen can pay the price for the first mistake they make, for he had made a huge effort not to play across his pads after his first innings dismissal. Perhaps it was a good thing for the next venue who will hope for a larger crowd turnout than in Delhi and for the umpteen TV channels who can have a few more programmes about his impending hundredth century. Yuvraj missed out playing a lazy shot, but Laxman made up for his first innings failure with an elegant innings and spending valuable time out in the middle which should stand him in good stead for the next games.

India have fewer issues to address than West Indies before the next Test begins and in a packed calendar they will welcome the extra day’s rest.

Eknath Solkar Foundation – a great initiative!

Ashwin should replace the extra batsman

South Africa are one team that has lived up to their reputation as one of the top teams in this edition of the World Cup. They have so far excelled in all the departments of the game and dominated the opponents the way a top team should. On the other hand, the Englishmen had a hard time chasing a stiff target posted by the Dutch and later they were given a drubbing by the spirited Irish that exposed the weak links in their armory.

Though England played superbly in a match versus India that ended in a tie, their bowling like that of India looks inadequate. Against a tougher and more professional team like South Africa, they will have to raise their game to create an impression. They just can’t afford to be sloppy especially in out-cricket.

The Proteas so far have displayed tremendous focus and discipline. Even against the Netherlands, they just didn’t allow them to raise their heads at any stage of the game. It was professionalism at its best. It’s easier for their opening bowlers, Steyn and Morkel to soften the opposition with speed and accuracy, backed up splendidly by the fielders. Both the fast bowlers are in amazing rhythm and are feared by many at the international level. With Imran Tahir showing a lot of promise, the Proteas look quite a formidable outfit.

They have a captain in Graeme Smith who is now an experienced campaigner and looks in fairly good form too. He knows it’s a big event and any wrong step would end his team once again being called the ‘chokers’. With Jacque Kallis, Hashim Amla and AB de Villers showing great form, their batting looks more or less settled. It would be interesting to see as to how the Englishmen unleash their spinners in the middle overs.

As far as India-Ireland match is concerned, I feel India should play with R Ashwin in place of an extra batsman simply because they would then have the option available against the stronger teams.