The Hindu : Sport : Indian batsmen need to find answers

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Nov 26, 2006
ePaper

Sport

Sport

Indian batsmen need to find answers

S. Dinakar

PHOTO: AFP

PLAYING CATCH-UP: Rahul Dravid said he was pleased with the effort his men were putting in during training after the debacle at Kingsmead.

Cape Town: The embattled Indian batsmen need to find answers and fast. There is much to be learnt from the disaster at Kingsmead.

The Indians were peppered with lifting deliveries from just short of a good length in the second MTN series ODI. They responded in a manner that was tame and lacked decisiveness.

South Africa had its game plan ready. Given the length and the off-stump line of its placemen, the field was accordingly set. There was a gully, point, a cover point, and a sweeper cover.

The Indians have to breach the field. They should use the horizontal bat shots more, or whip the balls coming into their body. Driving on the up is a dangerous ploy.

The Indians could, possibly, stand a yard outside the crease, or better still, take a middle-stump guard. This will give them a greater chance to essay wristy on-side strokes, picking the ball from the off-stump.

The present generation of Indian batsmen have not been brought up on matting wickets, where the ball often climbs into the body. Training on matting could be made a part of Indian camps, ahead of a tour of this kind.

A cricketing paradise

The action now shifts to Sahara-Newlands for Sunday's third MTN series ODI, a day game. The venue is a cricketing paradise.

The imposing Table Mountain overlooking the ground inspires. It also provides the stadium with a distinct identity. If the Indians don't improve, paradise could turn hell for them. `Welcome to the Snake Pit,' screamed a banner at one of the entrances to the ground. Interestingly, the local team here is called the Cobras.

The irony would not have been lost on the Indians. For, some of the lifting deliveries from the South African pacemen have been coated with venom — much like a cobra raising its hood.

For a start, India will be without injured paceman Munaf Patel, nursing a sore left ankle, for this match. Dravid said it would be unwise to risk Munaf, keeping in mind the long season ahead.

The Indian skipper was hopeful than Virender Sehwag, recovering from an injured ring finger, would be fit for the game. Sehwag was an enthusiastic part of the Indian practice session but Dravid was not willing to stick his neck out "A lot would depend on how he felt on the morning of the match."

Dravid is aware of the criticisms back home — "India is a country of extreme reactions," he said. "People are entitled to have their opinions and express them. I have the right not to react."

The skipper said he was pleased with the effort his men were putting in during training.s

Ideally, India should play five bowlers including Irfan Pathan. The extra batsman, in any case, has not made much of a difference for India.

There is a thin layer of grass on the surface. There could be bounce and lateral movement for the pacemen, although this could be less than what we witnessed at Kingsmead.

Teams chasing under lights in the day/night games in South Africa have suffered. The toss, as Dravid said, may not be such a huge factor in a day game.

A combination of wind and sunshine — forecasts have predicted a sunny Sunday here — could also widen the small cracks and India would do well to play both Harbhajan Singh and Kumble.

Dravid indicated that Mohammed Kaif would be given a run in the pivotal No. 3 slot. "Yuvraj Singh is not around and Kaif has some experience," he said.

The South Africans have retained the same eleven that won at Durban. Spinning all-rounder Robin Peterson figures in the 12.

Smith dwelt on the side's teamspirit. "We are enjoying each others' success," he said. He also spoke about the importance of containing India in the first 15 overs.

He reiterated that South Africa would not turn complacent. "Every match is a new match. I have responsibilities as a captain and a leader."

The form of Herschelle Gibbs is a cause for concern for South Africa. But then, he is the home-town boy here. And he could waltz

The teams (from): India: R. Dravid (captain), V. Sehwag, S. Tendulkar, M. Kaif, D. Mongia, M.S. Dhoni, I. Pathan, A. Agarkar, H. Singh, A. Kumble, Z. Khan, S. Sreesanth, S. Raina, D. Karthik, W. Jaffer. Coach: G. Chappell.

South Africa: G. Smith, L. Bosman, J. Kallis, H. Gibbs, A.B. de Villiers, J. Kemp, M. Boucher, S. Pollock, A. Nel, M. Ntini, C. Langeveldt, R. Peterson. Coach: M. Arthur.

Hours of play: 2.30 p.m. IST to 6 p.m. & 6.40 p.m. till end of match.

Umpires: B. Doctrove & B. Jerling; Third umpire: M. Erasmus. Match referee: C. Broad.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Sport