The Hindu : Sport : England threatens to spoil Rahul Dravid's hundredth party

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Mar 20, 2006

Sport

Sport

England threatens to spoil Rahul Dravid's hundredth party

The Karnataka player deserves to lead India in the World Cup

England can see a ray of hope of squaring the series, says Bishan Singh Bedi

Rahul Dravid is not going to forget his hundredth Test in a hurry, the opening day definitely. It is amazing how bad decisions can be churned out from totally unexpected cerebral quarters.

The composition of the Indian team — three seamers, two spinners and five regular batsmen — is reasonable cricket thinking. Winning the toss and inserting the opposition is also quite routine cricket logic. Except when the decision backfires, as it appeared to have done at the Wankhede Stadium, and the captain becomes a lonely person. I wish I could sympathise with Rahul. Yes, it was his 100th Test, but the guests look set to run away with the party.

The hot and humid conditions in Mumbai are trying indeed. Bowling and fielding in such oppressive environment is a torture if wickets are difficult to come by. Watching Test cricket in such poor conditions is equally testing. Some of the BCCI officials can afford to cater for spectator comfort now that the finances are overflowing.

The working conditions in the radio commentary box are well below poverty line. Did someone mention cricket is sold well in India? My personal experience at Mohali and again at Wankhede has not been very exciting.

Reverting to actual cricket, could this be a genuine error of judgement on the part of Team India management? I am referring to the decision of fielding first. It appears the Indians have discovered a couple of fast bowlers overnight. Please don't kid. If the aim is to start thinking of winning abroad, do so by all means. But why miss out on winning at home?

Low morale

Had India batted first, England with its low morale would have succumbed no doubt. But now England can see a ray of hope of squaring the series. There is still a lot of cricket to be played at the Wankhede. Middlesex players Andrew Strauss and debutant Owais Shah have given England a new lease of life in the Test series, and also fresh impetus for the one-dayers to follow.

Wise move

Having expressed my disgust with the Indian decision to field first, I must say that the appointment of Rahul Dravid as captain till the World Cup 2007 is a wise move. Yes, Rahul Dravid deserves to lead India in the next World Cup. He is bound to improve at every bend. His power to think like a bowler is yet to bloom. So far his own batting and that of his batting colleagues have flourished under his stewardship. Bowlers too have seen happy days under Rahul, especially Kumble. The bowlers need to utilise not just 10 per cent brains but also 10 per cent of their hearts. — UNI

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