Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Wonderful Turnaround
Unbelievable is this transformation from a loser, its tail tucked between its legs to a convincing winner who held the upper hand through almost all the sessions of the first cricket test at Wanderers. India almost at the end of its tether after the drubbing it took from the Proteas, bounced back with tremendous grit and sense of purpose and handled the adverse conditions surprisingly better than its better-equipped opponent. The test lasted just three and a half days but it was a memorable one not just because India won it but because of the way the winner crafted the victory.
India was in serious trouble after the one-day debacle. It tried everything it could but met with failure. By the time the one-day series ended, even its ardent followers had lost hope in their team. Because of the insurmountable conditions which swamped India, Indians had no answer to the questions posed to them on these pitches by the South African bowlers.
Then the miracle. All that could be cited as a possible reason is the inclusion of three old warhorses in the team. But such tinkering alone could not have brought about the turnaround that took place at Wanderers. It is true that Lakshman, Ganguly and Kumble performed well. In fact their contributions were vital and did much in giving shape to this historic win. But that would be ignoring the simple truth that this has been a very rare occasion where everyone pulled his might effectively. Even V.R.V.Singh who had to be content with a single wicket bowled within the overall plan. Wasim Jafffer who did not make many runs did enough to keep the middle order from getting exposed to the South African new ball. All others played their role in pushing the hosts back to such an extent that a come back was impossible for them. Lakshman and Ganguly in both innings, Dravid and Tendulkar in the first innings, Zaheer Khan in the second, all ensured a stiff target getting which would have been much against the run of play. SreeSanth, Zaheer and Kumble bowled with sharpness and closed all routes of escape for the batsmen. Literally this was a perfect-ten team effort. But even among the several good contributions one stood out. SreeSanth’s. He bowled like a champion. Sticking to the corridor of uncertainty like a leech, he brought in variations. Bowling his out-swingers as his stock ball, SreeSanth occasionally brought the ball in. He cleverly varied his pace and length and allowed no batsman any freedom to take liberties with him. Maintaining a dream seam position, he often reminded one of Richard Hadley. Os course this lad has to travel a long way to achieve the effortless ease with which the old master made the ball bend away and into the bat from close to the wicket. But even Sir Richard would have nodded in approval at this superb exhibition of swing bowling aided of course by the seaming track.
All this summing up of good performances won’t take you to the possible reasons for this unexpected Indian victory. It, I am sure, will be subject of discussion in the media till the next major issue crops up. I personally feel there are mainly two reasons for this South African debacle. One the pitches. Two, the different efficiency level shown in the adjustment from one mode to another. First the pitches. Usually countries prepare pitches suited to their genius for the test matches. They don’t show the same eagerness when it comes to the preparation of one-day pitches. Because quite a lot depends on the quality of the pitch to make a one-dayer a success which is a pre-requisite for the healthy state of the coffers. Here South Africa ensnared the Indians with nasty surfaces in the one-day series and brought about a clean sweep. But the Wanderers pitch was not as threatening as the one-day tracks. I remember Kallis making a comment that here the third and fourth days would be the best for batting.
Next, the difference brought about by the difference in format. On unfamiliar pitches to get maximum runs in limited overs can be a very daunting task When a different format allows you the freedom to tackle the job on hand with as much leisure as possible, it can bring abut a great change in the efficiency levels of the visitors. India stung by the reverses and probably by the senseless criticism at home, had a few days of serious practice and played tough cricket. The presence of the senior pros might certainly have helped them here. Also knowing that they have to support the batsmen fully, the bowlers stuck to the job of tight bowling. They proved that a game can be played by two teams. The pitch with its peculiarities helped both teams. It helped India more because they showed more sense of purpose. The South Africans, flush from a heady win were quite late in adjusting to the needs of test cricket. The strokes they played in the first and early part of the second innings were ample evidence of their lackadaisical approach and lack of respect for the Indians.
Things will be different from now onwards. The losers are stung badly. They will come hard at the Indians in the next two tests. It is a question of preserving their honor and history of invincibility. Smith and co can’t afford to throw away so much and continue to hold their heads high. Indians have two tough tests ahead but they it seems have become familiar with the ingredients of a decent fight and may not forget them so soon.
