The Hindu : Sport : Murali performed when it mattered

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Mar 27, 2007
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Murali performed when it mattered

Champion players always play in crunch games, and the greater the pressure, the better their performance, writes Vivian Richards

I can imagine the disappointment and anger with which the Indian fans must have received news of their team's elimination from the World Cup. While most of the disappointment is directed against the team's poor showing on Friday, against Sri Lanka, it was the earlier reversal against Bangladesh that the team must be ruing at present.

Upsets are part of any sport and it's happened in all sports and to all teams.

I remember how gutted we felt when we lost in 1983 to India, at a time when we were winning almost every match we played.

So while it hurts when the rub of the green goes against you, the beauty of cricket lies in these glorious uncertainties.

Great touch

The Sri Lankans looked in great touch on Friday, and what struck me was the way their main player, Muttiah Muralitharan, came to the table when his team needed him to defend a target that was not entirely out of India's reach. Champion players always play in crunch games, and the greater the pressure, the better their performance.

Greater resistance

I would have liked to see some of India's champions put up a slightly greater resistance to Murali's guileful bowling, but that did not happen, and India were the second big casualty of the first round, following neighbours Pakistan out of the tournament.

I do feel for the Indian fans, who had plans to come and cheer India in the Super Eight phase of the tournament.

They would now be having second thoughts about making the long trip to the Caribbean. Indians have a great love for the game, and watch cricket games even when their team is not in action.

Therefore, once the initial disappointment wears off they will follow the rest of the games.

Tuesday's game will be one of the showpiece games of the event, featuring as it does the defending champions and the hosts.

Brian Lara's team looked good in the league stages, and I would hope they have the confidence to take on Ponting's men. The Australians looked in vintage form against the South Africans, and if anyone had doubts about their form coming into the tournament, their strong performance has silenced them.

Achilles heel

Their only Achilles heel seems to be their bowling, which could be fragile if put under pressure. The face-off between Chris Gayle and Glenn McGrath will be decisive on Tuesday. Chris has been quiet so far, but hopefully he will come into his own in the business end of the tournament.

It's a very special feeling to have a stadium named after you, and I am interested in seeing how the wicket behaves at the Vivian Richards Stadium.

It's always difficult to gauge a pitch till a game has been played on it, and I would not be surprised if the captains insert the opposition upon winning the toss.

Gameplan

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