Over the Top
Adam Gilchrist
India is going in the right direction
February 10, 2008
There seems a lot more written about the IPL than I know, because I have not thought or spoken about it with either Cricket Australia or anybody else recently. At present, I am focused on this tri-series and am committing my energy and focus to doing well against India and Sri Lanka. These are my last few games for Australia, and I would like to give them the respect they deserve.
I have come to realize the importance of the Twenty20 format in cricket, and would like to be involved in it. This is a format for the future, and the IPL could help launch this version in world cricket, just like the World Series in the late 1970s launched one-day cricket. I understand the concerns of the various boards, who would not want to see promising careers being cut short by the league, and am certain that the concerned boards will be able to handle the situation sensibly.
Coming back to the tri-series, the weather has affected both of India's games. It was raining in Melbourne as well, but hopefully we will get a game going tomorrow. We did visit the MCG today, but the wicket was covered owing to frequent showers on Saturday. The wickets here have been low and slow right through summer and chances are that we will get a similar track for Sunday's game.
Though they are yet to complete a game in the tournament, the Indians have batted twice, giving us a view of the young batsmen who have been picked for this tour. Many of these youngsters used the T20 World Cup to showcase their ability, and India's success in that tournament prompted the selectors to pick them for the one-day team as well.
Gautam Gambhir is one such youngster, and after holding together India's batting in that tournament, he has now shown his potential in the 50-over version as well. His knock against Sri Lanka at the 'Gabba was as well constructed an innings as you would see. Some of the other youngsters had shown similar potential in the Future Cup last year, and I remember Robin Uthappa as a batsman who looked very impressive with the bat and on the field. This young group has an aggressive, vibrant leader in Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who looked in ominous form in India's match against Sri Lanka.
I know there was some controversy when India picked a young team for this tri-series. However, Dhoni's argument that, whether or not he was captain, he wanted a group of 12-14 players who had 80-100 games before World Cup 2011 makes a lot of sense. India are going in the right direction if they have a long-term goal in mind.
The series has been going quite well as far as my own game is concerned, particularly since this is my last series for Australia. I was a little overwhelmed by the occasion during the first game at Brisbane. The response of the crowd as also from friends and supporters overseas, particularly India, has been heart-warming. However, once I got past the first game, I was able to focus better, and give the last few games the commitment they deserve.
I played an uncharacteristic hand at Sydney the other night, but that was because the conditions and the match situation demanded a disciplined, grafting knock. I was happy that I was able to curb my natural instincts and play a 'responsible' knock at this stage of my career, but hopefully I will play a few more attacking, entertaining knocks in the coming games. (Gameplan)
I have come to realize the importance of the Twenty20 format in cricket, and would like to be involved in it. This is a format for the future, and the IPL could help launch this version in world cricket, just like the World Series in the late 1970s launched one-day cricket. I understand the concerns of the various boards, who would not want to see promising careers being cut short by the league, and am certain that the concerned boards will be able to handle the situation sensibly.
Coming back to the tri-series, the weather has affected both of India's games. It was raining in Melbourne as well, but hopefully we will get a game going tomorrow. We did visit the MCG today, but the wicket was covered owing to frequent showers on Saturday. The wickets here have been low and slow right through summer and chances are that we will get a similar track for Sunday's game.
Though they are yet to complete a game in the tournament, the Indians have batted twice, giving us a view of the young batsmen who have been picked for this tour. Many of these youngsters used the T20 World Cup to showcase their ability, and India's success in that tournament prompted the selectors to pick them for the one-day team as well.
Gautam Gambhir is one such youngster, and after holding together India's batting in that tournament, he has now shown his potential in the 50-over version as well. His knock against Sri Lanka at the 'Gabba was as well constructed an innings as you would see. Some of the other youngsters had shown similar potential in the Future Cup last year, and I remember Robin Uthappa as a batsman who looked very impressive with the bat and on the field. This young group has an aggressive, vibrant leader in Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who looked in ominous form in India's match against Sri Lanka.
I know there was some controversy when India picked a young team for this tri-series. However, Dhoni's argument that, whether or not he was captain, he wanted a group of 12-14 players who had 80-100 games before World Cup 2011 makes a lot of sense. India are going in the right direction if they have a long-term goal in mind.
The series has been going quite well as far as my own game is concerned, particularly since this is my last series for Australia. I was a little overwhelmed by the occasion during the first game at Brisbane. The response of the crowd as also from friends and supporters overseas, particularly India, has been heart-warming. However, once I got past the first game, I was able to focus better, and give the last few games the commitment they deserve.
I played an uncharacteristic hand at Sydney the other night, but that was because the conditions and the match situation demanded a disciplined, grafting knock. I was happy that I was able to curb my natural instincts and play a 'responsible' knock at this stage of my career, but hopefully I will play a few more attacking, entertaining knocks in the coming games. (Gameplan)
