The Indians are peaking at just about the right time
Erapalli Prasanna - 3 August 2001
When things looked difficult for the Indian team in the triangular
series having lost the first three matches, three sterling
performances ensured that India did qualify for Sunday's final against
Sri Lanka for the Coca-Cola Cup. It was a remarkable comeback by the
Indian side to beat Sri Lanka back-to-back and then to thrash New
Zealand in the decider.
A brilliant batting performance by Yuvraj Singh against Sri Lanka went
on to prove what 'trust' can do to a cricketer. It was a great display
of resilience after being 64/4 and Yuvraj went on to play a big hand
in the victory. I have always felt that this young lad had the talent
for One-Dayers. He only lacked application and temperament to stay in
the middle. He proved the fact that he will rise to the occasion if he
is given the opportunity and trust.
I always maintained that if Muralitharan failed to give the vital
breakthrough, the Sri Lankan attack would struggle. The Indians now
appear to have sorted him out. Zaheer Khan and Ashish Nehra seem to
have developed into a useful combination. Once again it is was their
excellent line and length that gave the Indian bowling the edge.
Harbhajan Singh seems to be playing a containing act, understandable
because he cannot have an attacking field. I am sure that he will be a
different proposition in the Test matches. No doubt that Harbjahan is
bowling his off breaks quite effectively; the one that Sri Lanka is
worried about is the one he bowls flat and fast and at times moves the
other way.
Sri Lanka did themselves and India a favour by beating New Zealand
rather convincingly. Full credit should be given to Sri Lanka's fast
bowlers, Chaminda Vaas and Dilhara Fernando for their brilliant
bowling. Their line and length were impeccable and they demonstrated
how important length is as they cleverly varied their line.
So it all boiled down to the crucial match between India and New
Zealand on Thursday. It was a do-or-die match as the winning team
would qualify for Sunday's final against Sri Lanka. I think it brought
India's talent to the fore. For once our bowlers failed to curtail the
rate of scoring and allowed New Zealand to accumulate an imposing
total of 264. The game plan of the Kiwis was to steal runs and put
pressure on the Indian attack. Nathan Astle played a superb knock and
along with captain Stephen Fleming took the side to a commanding
position.
The Indian approach to the run chase was one of confidence and
aggression. It was evidently clear from the previous games that
Virender Shewag was stroking the ball beautifully. It must have been a
toss up between Ganguly and Yuvraj Singh to open with Shewag. The
captain must have decided on himself, taking his experience into
consideration. Shewag's knock mesmerised New Zealand and they were
destroyed by his onslaught. When India reached 100 without the loss of
a wicket, the writing was on the wall.
The New Zealand bowlers faltered in their line of attack as Shewag
piled on the runs. It was an object lesson of playing side on and one
could easily see the advantages. While playing side on, he created
gaps on the leg side, effectively flicking the balls pitched on middle
and off towards mid-wicket and wide of mid-on for fours. The
strokeplay upset the Kiwi plan as the bowlers failed to bowl on one
side of the wicket and gave runs to be scored by Shewag at will.
In conclusion, I must say that the initial failure of the Indian side
was a blessing in disguise as they are peaking at just about the right
time. The final between India and Sri Lanka will witness a similar
sort of style of cricket being played. One has to realise that the
'cricketing style' in the subcontinent is practically the same,
whichever way you look at it.
Eventually it might turn out to be a match between Chaminda Vaas and
Zaheer Khan or a match between Muralitharan and Harbhajan Singh. The
effectiveness of these players will be the crucial factor in deciding
which team will be the eventual winner.
© CricInfo
Teams
|
India,
New Zealand,
Sri Lanka.
|
Players/Umpires
|
Yuvraj Singh,
Muttiah Muralitharan,
Zaheer Khan,
Ashish Nehra,
Harbhajan Singh,
Chaminda Vaas,
Dilhara Fernando,
Nathan Astle,
Stephen Fleming,
Sourav Ganguly,
Virender Shewag.
|
Tournaments
|
Coca-Cola Cup (Sri Lanka) |