The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Ganguly leads from the front

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Sunday, Sep 12, 2004

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Sport - Cricket

Ganguly leads from the front

By Vijay Lokapally

CAPTAIN'S KNOCK: Sourav Ganguly, who top-scored for India, was once again unlucky to be dismissed in the 90s. — Photo: V.V. Krishnan

SOUTHAMPTON, SEPT. 11. The resplendent Rose Bowl, with the sun battling to keep the atmosphere warm, motivated Sourav Ganguly to keep his promise, and a confident self-assessment that he had been batting well for sometime now. "I'm not worried about my form at all,'' he had said on the eve of the match against Kenya.

He may have other worries to address, like Virender Sehwag's dwindling form, but his own performance tended to lift the spirits in the dressing room after some initial lethargy in coming to terms with the Kenyan attack.

Ganguly was wary of the damp pitch but he had no choice when asked to bat. The approach was quite sound from the opening pair, exercising utmost caution, but the resolve to hang in, at the cost of allowing some loose deliveries to go unpunished, did not really show the world's most gifted batting line-up in good light.

Sehwag was strictly following the instructions. To the extent that he would suddenly change his mind, and defend a ball he would have banished on most other occasions. This change in approach worked for a while. It suited Ganguly too. He could read the conditions and also guide the hopelessly out-of-touch Sehwag. The Kenyan attack looked flatteringly effective.

Gradually Sehwag changed his tune, cracked a couple of fours, and, carried away by the timing, played an unpardonable stroke. Walking down the pitch to cart the bowler was not a wise way to celebrate so early in the day and he must earn the wrath of the captain for the silly shot. It was a nice breakthrough for the average Kenyan attack even conceding the fact that the ball did a bit initially.

Solid partnership

Things fell in place once Ganguly began connecting his shots and in the presence of a determined V.V.S. Laxman, struck a partnership that should be the benchmark for India if it is to plan its assault on the trophy in a realistic manner.

Laxman brought quality to the game in the middle even as Ganguly grew in strength, playing some exquisite strokes and made an immediate impact on his partner, who remained a picture of poise as long as he stuck to playing the ball on merit.

Ganguly played his role perfectly. At no stage did he play a hurried shot and was in complete control of the situation against a team that began the day quite impressively. This was Kenya's first match in 18 months.

Incidentally, Kenya's last One-Day International was the World Cup semifinal against India. If captain Steve Tikolo holds a grudge that Kenya has been treated shabbily by the administrators, he would be quite justified. Kenya distinguished itself in the first 25 overs when it conceded just 110 runs to an immensely confident pair.

Ganguly directed the course of the innings and set the tempo for the rest to thrive. Laxman adapted elegantly and Ganguly displayed astute shot selection as the innings gained in momentum during the middle overs and reached a crescendo in the slog overs when Mohammad Kaif and Rahul Dravid decimated the attack in contrasting styles. Obviously, Dravid stood out with some sensational cricket shots even as Kaif threw his bat around productively, quite a few edges and nudges swelling his individual honours in a big way.

Different phases

The Indian innings could be divided into two phases. Tentative in the first half but authoritative in the second when Kenya's inexperience became its obstacle in making a match of it. The ease with which Ganguly led the charge indicated his comfort in the middle.

Laxman and Ganguly produced 161 runs in an entertaining partnership that laid the base for Dravid and Kaif, who plundered 77 runs off 41 balls, in a display that literally took the match away from Kenya. Not that India was under any threat from the opposition but a contest of competitive flavour was not ruled out after the good start by the Kenyan bowlers.

Ganguly was in his element, playing the drive with flourish and indulging in a few lusty pulls when the spinners came on. He missed a century by his own fault, jumping out pre-determined. Shades of Sehwag's dismissal. But Laxman held the innings firm even though he suddenly became casual after crossing his fifty. He played a few robust strokes and perished in attempting another after an innings that should do his confidence a world of good and also secure the number three slot for the season.

Dravid, relieved at being relieved of his wicketkeeping duties, excelled with some attacking cricket, his straight driven six off Ragheb Aga was a stunning piece of stylish hitting. He and Kaif batted sensibly, using their innovative skills, to flatten the opposition. The lack of bite in Kenya's bowling was apparent in the poor show in the latter half of the innings as India garnered 91 runs in the last 10 overs.

* * *

India on course

SOUTHAMPTON, SEPT. 11. India was well on its way to an easy win over Kenya in its opening match of the Champions Trophy. Chasing a victory target of 291, Kenya was 166 for seven at the end of 45 overs.

* * *

INDIA

S. Ganguly b M. Suji 90

(124b, 8x4)

V. Sehwag b Odoyo 17

(27b, 2x4)

V.V.S. Laxman st Obuya
b Tikolo
79

(99b, 8x4)

Yuvraj c Obuya b Odoyo 9

(9b, 1x4)

Mohd. Kaif (not out) 49

(29b, 5x4)

R. Dravid (not out) 30

(16b, 3x4, 1x6)

Extras (b-4, lb-5, w-3, nb-4) 16

— —

Total (for four wkts, 50 overs) 290

— —

Fall of wickets: 1-30 (Sehwag), 2-191 (Ganguly), 3-204 (Yuvraj), 4-213 (Laxman).

Kenya bowling: M. Suji 10-2-42-1; Odoyo 10-1-43-2; Ongondo 5-0-27-0 (w-1); Aga 9-0-70-0 (w-2, nb-2); Tikolo 10-0-53-1; Patel 3-0-21-0; T. Suji 3-0-25-0 (nb-2).

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