Sunny Speaks
Sunil Gavaskar
Beat the world champs in their own den
December 14, 2007
India were quite simply the superior team in the just concluded one-day and Test series against Pakistan. This was not only the worst Pakistan team that has come over to India but also one which was seldom focused or determined as previous Pakistani teams have been.
The earlier Pakistani teams had players who were ready for a fight and who never gave up till the very end. In this team there were perhaps just a handful of such players who had the attitude of fighting till the end. The earlier teams enjoyed themselves hugely off the field, since it was refreshingly different being in India but that never deterred them from the task on the field which was to play at their very best and beat India at home. That intensity was hardly seen in this team which seemed to cave in and give up the moment things started to go wrong for them.
Irfan Pathan's comeback with a century also helps add to the balance of the team, for he can be the allrounder that the team is looking for. In the bowling department Anil Kumble was magnificent as always and he showed good leadership qualities as well. Yes, maybe he should have gone for a win in the last Test, but in retrospect a series win is a win after all. Young Ishant Sharma too showed good attitude after an indifferent start and the tour to Australia will help him learn a lot more about his craft.
Beating Pakistan is always a special feeling and Kumble and his men have just savoured it and in the process delighted Indian cricket supporters. Just imagine what it would be like if they carry on in the same vein and beat the world champs in their own den.
Yes Anil, remember the slogan of the clothing sponsor and just do it.
More Gavaskar Columns
Send your comments to Jiyocricket@yahoo.co.in
The earlier Pakistani teams had players who were ready for a fight and who never gave up till the very end. In this team there were perhaps just a handful of such players who had the attitude of fighting till the end. The earlier teams enjoyed themselves hugely off the field, since it was refreshingly different being in India but that never deterred them from the task on the field which was to play at their very best and beat India at home. That intensity was hardly seen in this team which seemed to cave in and give up the moment things started to go wrong for them.
Irfan Pathan's comeback with a century also helps add to the balance of the team, for he can be the allrounder that the team is looking for. In the bowling department Anil Kumble was magnificent as always and he showed good leadership qualities as well. Yes, maybe he should have gone for a win in the last Test, but in retrospect a series win is a win after all. Young Ishant Sharma too showed good attitude after an indifferent start and the tour to Australia will help him learn a lot more about his craft.
Beating Pakistan is always a special feeling and Kumble and his men have just savoured it and in the process delighted Indian cricket supporters. Just imagine what it would be like if they carry on in the same vein and beat the world champs in their own den.
Yes Anil, remember the slogan of the clothing sponsor and just do it.
More Gavaskar Columns
Send your comments to Jiyocricket@yahoo.co.in
