The Hindu : Sport : Marauders with mature heads

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Feb 15, 2006

Sport

Sport

Marauders with mature heads

S. Dinakar

Lahore : Responses to situations depend on a cricketer's mindset. Adversity can be daunting to some. A few others see it as an opportunity.

The `thought process' holds the key that unlocks the door of success, which finds the right path in the labyrinth of alleys that crisscross.

If Yuvraj Singh and Mahendra Singh Dhoni scored in the cauldron at the Gaddafi Stadium, it reflected, apart from the glorious shot-making ability of the two, on their reserves of self-belief.

While Yuvraj is mentally tough, he has brought about critical technical changes. He is a lot more balanced in his stance, makes an initial movement forward without commitment himself to the front foot, and is surer about his off-stump.

Remarkable improvement

The Punjab left-hander's stroke selection and his assessment of the situation have shown a remarkable improvement. On Monday, he attacked in the company of Sachin Tendulkar. When the belligerent Dhoni joined him, he donned a secondary role. This was clever cricket.

Earlier in the season, Yuvraj was just not playing himself in. He needed to stroke a lot straighter in the early stages of his innings and then unravel his complete range of strokeplay. Shafts of light were at a distance.

Even in the ODI format, it was possible to collect initial runs at a healthy clip in the `V' and then free your arms square off the wicket. Yuvraj was going for glory and paying the price.

India coach Greg Chappell and sports scientist Ian Fraser have subsequently transformed Yuvraj's approach and outlook. Chappell gave Yuvraj the credit for his willingness to incorporate the technical changes. "Here was a batsman who was fairly successful in international cricket, who was risking everything."

"He is using the ground forces better. The delivery comes straight at you and the best way is to hit it straight past the bowler," says Fraser.

Yuvraj has found the right mix between attack and defence — his single biggest achievement.

Dhoni, the marauder with the long mane, who walks with a swagger and dents the ego of the bowlers. The Jharkhand lad's cricket is laced with unmistakable arrogance, stemming from confidence within. Reputations just don't seem to bother him and he sets his own rules. Lurking in this natural is the spirit of the adventurer.

His thundering blows ensure that the asking-rate would only move in a downward curve; even if the side loses wickets, it will always have a chance to recover since the run-rate has not slumped.

Grown in stature

If the runs start flowing from one end — Dhoni does leave the field scattered — then the batsman at the other end is under less stress.

Dhoni impacts on a team psychologically, where the bowling side is forced to switch to a defensive mode. This benefits him — if he stays, he conquers.

The wicket-keeper batsman has grown in stature on this tour. When Shoaib Akhtar, in the midst of a hostile burst with the second new ball, bounced at him in the Faisalabad Test, Dhoni responded with a brave pulled six. His maiden Test century was courage under duress and a breathtaking onslaught.

When questions were asked about his ability to handle genuine pace, a hurt Dhoni had said, "They don't know me. I love to hook and pull."

He provides the side with depth and options. With him and Irfan Pathan around, the team-management can be flexible in tactics. He can scatter attacks upfront, or surface at No. 6 and lend considerable weight to this vital slot between the top and the bottom half.

Someone like Dhoni also has the opposing captain thinking about the timing of the Power Play overs, especially if he saunters in up the order. He is an all-rounder, who saves a place in the side.

Glimpse at the running between the wickets of Dhoni and Yuvraj, the body language amidst all the pressure in the arena, and the merry waltz in the middle and their spirit comes through forcefully.

These match-winners...they are a rare breed.

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