The Hindu : Sport : Defensive batting cost India dearly

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jan 08, 2007
ePaper

Sport

Sport

Defensive batting cost India dearly

S. Dinakar

TOUGH LUCK: Rub of the green didn't go Anil Kumble's way on the final day. — PHOTO: AFP

Cape Town: Even as Graeme Smith indulged in some gardening around the rough area on the final day of the third Test, one of Indian close-in fielders asked him — "Mate, are you digging a hole?"

Ironically, it was India, which was finally consumed by the hole it had dug for itself. The post-lunch session of the fourth day was the decisive moment of the series.

Rahul Dravid had set attacking fields for most part. However, it was the ultra-defensive batting by him and Sachin Tendulkar that allowed South Africa to sneak back into the contest.

Strange tactics

"Why were your batsmen not using their feet to Harris," asked former Zimbabwe all-rounder Neil Johnson. For someone in his debut Test, left-arm spinner Paul Harris bowled creditably. He was also allowed to do so by the crease-tied Indian batsmen.

Wondered the chairman of the Indian selection panel Dilip Vengsarkar to The Hindu, "Why were they not rotating the strike? It might have been negative bowling, he (Harris) was aiming at the rough outside the leg-stump.

But instead of trying to sweep him fine, they should have gone on to the back-foot and worked him for singles on the on-side. Once the singles started coming, he would have been forced to change his line."

The Indian batting — whether at Karachi, Mumbai, Durban or Cape Town — has displayed an alarming tendency to collapse under the pressures of the second innings.

This was a Test where the Indians had everything going for them, from winning the toss on a sub-continental-like pitch to getting a solid start from the openers. They blew the opportunity.

The move to open with Virender Sehwag in the second innings proved disastrous. Sehwag, who averaged 14.83 in the three Tests, cannot play on reputation alone.

Paceman Munaf Patel was barely utilised in the second innings, and there were occasions when he seemed to be limping on the field.

Vengsarkar conceded that Munaf's fitness could have been better. In the future games, India might require to use Sourav Ganguly's medium pace more.

India missed a finger spinner in the Test and offie Harbhajan Singh could have made a difference. While there is some logic in India opting for a third paceman — S. Sreesanth and Zaheer Khan had bowled a lot of overs in the first two Tests — picking a less than fully fit cricketer for a decider was a grave error.

Vengsarkar said the pitch did offer assistance to the spinners on the final day — "What more do you need in a pitch, do you need a hole?"

He felt senior leg-spinner Anil Kumble was unlucky, though. "A delivery went just over the stumps. There were a couple of other close calls. If he had got the breakthrough early on the fifth day, he could have run through."

Comeback man Ganguly showed courage and timing but has to resist opening the face of the willow square off the wicket. The Indian batsmen could not kick on after starts, which is worrying. Ganguly (214 runs at 42.80) was the only Indian batsman to cross the 200-run mark.

Sachin Tendulkar (199 runs at 33.16 and V.V.S. Laxman (180 at 36.00) promised much but their returns hardly complemented their ability.

Dravid, returning from a finger injury, struggled for batting rhythm. He was also done in by two wrong decisions at Kingsmead.

Vengsarkar was not too critical of the senior batsmen, saying they had contributed. In the same breath, he also stressed on application.

Opener Wasim Jaffer constructed a pleasing century in the third Test, but Vengsarkar was not happy. "You have to be consistent. You cannot make one hundred and fail in five innings."

While the Indian catching standards were high, the ground fielding was ordinary. Some of the seniors were late getting to the ball on several occasions.

The bowling of Sreesanth and Zaheer was the high point for India. "They were excellent. Sreesanth moves the ball late. Zaheer bowled with a lot of heart," said Vengsarkar.

Big plus

Dinesh Karthik's performance as a wicket-keeper batsman in the final Test was a definite gain for India.

He revealed technique and temperament as an opener, appeared more organised and fluent than most specialist batsmen, when batting lower down. His `keeping was impressive. "He has potential. He played with a lot of spirit," said Vengsarkar.

India managed to win its first Test on the South African soil and could have taken the series 2-1. Under the circumstances, a series defeat is disappointing.

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

Sport