Laxman made batting look simple |
|
Sunday April 13, 12:03 AM
Going through the previews of the Kanpur Test in the various sections of the media my mind raced back to the 1987 Test against Pakistan at Bangalore. That series was a drab affair for the most part till then before a terribly underprepared track at Bangalore provided the spark. We lost the game by 16 runs and that was mainly due to letting a few partnerships prosper in the Pakistani second innings.
The ongoing match against South Africa is no different in terms of the surface it is being played. Anything above 175 for India to chase would be very difficult. Any lead will be handy and it is imperative to keep the Proteas to the minimum possible score in their second innings.
Remember India had technically the most accomplished batsman in Sunil Gavaskar to take us close to that target. I don’t see a single batsman in this era who can reproduce that innings on this kind of surface.
The Indian approach has to be complimented. They were always on the lookout for runs. And that’s the ideal way to counter these conditions. Barring Rahul Dravid I would suggest the approach was correct. In a team of strokeplayers Dravid is one who can grind, he doesn’t need to be in rhythm to spend time at the crease and that’s his greatness.
But the ball that got him further emphasised the fact that one has to make the most while in the middle. The partnerships Sourav Ganguly shared with Yuvraj Singh and later with Dhoni and the rate at which the runs came have helped India keep their nose in front.
Laxman made batting look ridiculously simple on this track. It was a different story, the moment he went into a shell post lunch. Ganguly, Yuvraj and Dhoni reacted to the ball and did not let the conditions affect them. That to me made the difference. Virendar Sehwag was a trifle unlucky not to bat past the 20-minute period. He is the ideal player to have in these situations as he is hardly perturbed by the nature of the playing surface. He will have a vital role to play in the fourth innings whatever be the target.
To stay at the wicket and wait for the loose ball will not work. The good ball will always be just around the corner as Dravid found out. One has to be busy and create opportunities. A few technical corrections were also there to see. Dhoni had reduced his backlift drastically to suit this track while Ganguly eschewed shots square of the wicket.
|
More Cricket News
Akmal and Butt punish Bangladesh in 3rd ODISouth Africa's Graeme Smith blames mistakes for India defeatIndia rout South Africa to level seriesDhoni hails bowlers after India square seriesIndia rip through South Africa, close in on victoryIndia v South Africa scoreboardSehwag strikes leave South Africa reelingIndia gain control with two early wicketsIndia v South Africa third test scoreboardLast pair earn India 60-run lead over South Africa
