The Hindu : Sport : Indians need rest and a fresh start

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 20, 2005

Sport

Sport

Indians need rest and a fresh start

GREG CHAPPELL

India will wonder what went wrong after such a good start to the six match one-day series. Having led the series 2-0 after the first two games it is hard to comprehend how they lost the series 2-4.

It is too simplistic to say that India played poorly, which they did, but Pakistan won the series because they played better cricket and, more importantly, they were the better team. Starting the tour as underdog, Pakistan will go home with their heads held high because they have all of the positives that came from the Test and one-day series on their side of the ledger.

Inzamam's captaincy was under a cloud as he left for India and Bob Woolmer had been burnt in effigy in the streets after the Australian tour and must have wondered what he had let himself in for.

They will rightly return as heroes.

Well-planned

The planning for the tour was spot on even to the point of leaving their most lethal bowler behind in the desire to build a committed unit that was going to give their all for their country. The courage of all concerned was well rewarded and was evident in the remarkable come back in both series. The young Pakistan players grew in confidence and status the further the tour progressed and they were well led by Inzamam who shone with the bat and became more assertive with his leadership as the team began to believe more and more in themselves.

Pakistan outplayed India in all three departments of the game. Even their fielding, led brilliantly by Yousuf Youhana, was outstanding at times. Shahid Afridi has shown us glimpses of his brilliance in the past but he is fast becoming an all-rounder of class and, along with Shoaib Malik and Naved-ul-Hasan, has become a player that Inzamam can rely upon when intelligence as well as brute force is required. Pakistan is a team with a good balance of youth and experience and, provided they don't sit back on their laurels, can expect to get better.

An ageing team

India, on the other hand, is a team that is showing its age. Some of the batsmen have been around for a long time and perhaps find it hard to motivate themself day in and day out as they once did. But it is not a time to panic and throw the baby out with the bath water. India has performed well in the past and this group can perform well again. Possibly all they need is a rest and a fresh start.

John Wright leaves on a sad note, not least of all because of the result in these two series, but he can be proud of his achievements. He will not sing his own praises because that is not his style.

John brought a measure of calm and professionalism to the team and this is fitting for it reflects his personality. His partnership with Sourav Ganguly has been one of mutual respect and it has bought considerable success to Indian cricket in the past four years. His has been a successful reign and should be remembered in that light. This is not a time to be critical but instead it is a time to give thanks and praise to one of the quiet achievers and a true gentleman who has adorned this remarkable game.

(CafeCricket)

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