The Hindu : India starts off in style

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Oct 28, 2003

Sport

Sport - Cricket

India starts off in style

By K. SRIKKANTH

It was a fine win for India at Gwalior. Getting the better of Australia, in any form of the game, is never easy.

India got it right at the start and it was an important toss to win for Rahul Dravid. The pitch at Gwalior got slower and lower as the match progressed. Chasing was always going to be difficult.

Sachin Tendulkar and V.V.S. Laxman batted superbly for India, keeping the scoreboard racing even after India had lost Virender Sehwag early. These two quality batsmen not only timed their shots well, but also got their placement right.

Both deserved their hundreds, and if there was a slight drop in the run-rate during the middle overs, it was due to the fact that forcing the spinners was a hard task, given the slowness of the pitch.

India kept wickets in hands, and Yuvraj, walking in at No. 4, came up with a vital innings towards the end. This left-hander is blessed with loads of natural ability; evident in how quickly he adjusted to the pace of the pitch. Ajit Agarkar's promotion in the batting order also worked and his cameo enabled India cross the 280-mark.

The inexperience in the Australian pace bowling showed. There were too many deliveries on the middle and leg stumps, an area where the Indian batsmen are extremely strong. There were also numerous errors in the length from the Australian pace bowlers. McGrath, Gillespie and Lee were sorely missed by the visitors.

After being pegged back by a strong opening partnership between a strokeful Adam Gilchrist and Mathew Hayden, the Indian bowlers fought back with resolve.

Anil Kumble turned in a good display, and his was the key spell of the match, that slowed down the run-rate and caused much frustration in the Australian ranks. This was a night when the leg-spinner's length and line were impeccable. Kumble operated to a good rhythm.

Zaheer Khan also bowled well, and his dismissal of Adam Gilchrist was a crucial blow for India. Except for Gilchrist, none of the Australian batsmen appeared comfortable playing strokes.

Rahul Dravid led the side well, and his move to bring on Virender Sehwag swung the match in India's favour. The writing was on the wall for the Aussies, once Sehwag bowled Micheal Bevan, quite the most dangerous batsman in the conclusive stages of a match.

After the opening stand, the Australians could not build partnerships, and credit is due to the Indian bowlers and fielders for keeping the pressure on the batsmen. The team-spirit in the Indian side was all too evident.

Non-regular spinners such as Sehwag and Tendulkar have a crucial role to play for India with the ball, especially in the subcontinental conditions. I am sure the two will have a lot more bowling to do in this tri-series.

The Aussies have to rework their bowling strategy. Given the lack of experience in the pace bowling, not to speak of the absence of Shane Warne and Stuart MacGill, the Aussies do have their task cut out.

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