The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : A low-key reception

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Tuesday, Aug 03, 2004

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Sport - Cricket

A low-key reception

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, AUG. 2. The Indian cricket team arrived here late on Monday afternoon to a low-key reception, a day after suffering a setback at the hands of Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup final in Colombo.

The security cordon at the Anna international airport was tight and the cricketers were frisked away by the Central Industrial Security Force personnel soon after they collected their baggage.

The pain of losing yet another Cup final was writ large on the faces of the players, a wry smile being their only response to shouts of recognition by a few faithful, who had gathered at the visitors' enclosure.

Skipper Sourav Ganguly, accompanied by wife Dona and daughter, vice-captain Rahul Dravid, and the senior citizen of the side, Sachin Tendulkar, could not quite shake away the disappointment.

Speaking to the media, India coach John Wright gave credit to the Lankan bowlers for successfully defending a score of 228. "They bowled very well and with a lot of discipline, especially in the first 15 overs."

Asked whether India should have scored quicker when the field restrictions were in place and the ball was harder, Wright said, "With players like Tendulkar, Sehwag and Ganguly this generally happens, but their bowling and fielding was excellent. It was not an easy wicket to bat on."

On the decision to drop senior leg-spinner Anil Kumble from the eleven for the final, Wright said, "Ganguly takes the decision on the kind of attack he wants with him. Generally the three and one (three pacemen and a spinner) combination has done the job for us. To be honest, Sehwag and Tendulkar have bowled well. We restricted them (the Lankans) to 228. The bowlers did their job."

The Indian coach admitted that the opportunities - a dropped slip catch and a run-out chance - missed in the early stages of Kumara Sangakkara's innings cost India dear.

On the vexing question of including a specialist wicket-keeper batsman in the ODI eleven, he said, "I think that issue has to be resolved. The selectors have to give it a thought, keeping in mind the balance of the side."

With India's ordinary run in the Cup finals continuing, Wright said the side had to stick to the details. "Little things make a difference. Missing a chance here, another one there."

His final words - "We are a much better side batting first in the final."

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