The Hindu : Sport : Sehwag and Younis batted like champions

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Mar 31, 2005

Sport

Sport

Sehwag and Younis batted like champions

I just cannot convey how disappointing it was to lose to Pakistan in Bangalore. We have saved Test matches in the past from far more difficult situations than we were in during the final Test and we should have done so this time as well. But it was not to be.

At lunch on the final day, when we were 101 for one, it did appear that we were in a good position to force a draw.

However, the script changed quickly after the break as we kept losing wickets at regular intervals. That pushed us onto the back foot and brought Pakistan back into the game.

We dominated the first two Tests, but I admit that Pakistan were the better team in Bangalore.

Inzamam himself played a fantastic knock and, of course, Younis Khan also had a memorable match. Their partnership in the first innings put Pakistan in the driver's seat after Inzamam won the toss and elected to bat on a good batting track.

Takes control

Any team that bats first and puts 500 runs on the board against any team on any wicket is likely to dictate terms. The opposition then feels not only the weight of runs, but also the pressures that come gift-wrapped with it.

So, once Pakistan had put a huge total on the board, they could control the game from there.

Our first innings reply was strong with Virender Sehwag playing the way only he can. The others just needed to bat around him, but most of us got out after getting a start. Once Pakistan took a handy first innings lead, we were left chasing the game.

On the whole, it was a good, hard-fought series where all the three Test matches went down to the wire. The fact that all three results were possible on the final day of all the three Tests showed how keen was the contest between the bat and ball. That's what Indo-Pak matches are all about.

For us, Sehwag's batting in the series was a huge plus. His confidence level is very high and he bats like a champion. I only hope he will carry his Test form into the ODIs where we need to fire early.

Balaji was easily the best bowler on view. He not only gave us the breakthroughs, but showed a big heart and was always game to run in and bowl at full tilt.

For Pakistan, Younis Khan's batting was a revelation. He showed tremendous application and was prepared to stay at the wicket. And Mohammed Sami got better and better with every game.

All this makes for an exciting ODI series. I expect it to be fast and furious and close.

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