Delhi Test, Day 3, Close
Saturday, March 2, 2002

India are superior to Zimbabwe in most respects and they played like it today. It was an impressive batting display, highlighted by a superb hundred from Sourav Ganguly. The overhead conditions did make a difference in that they made it easier for the batsmen in the morning and afternoon.

Ganguly did the right thing by adopting a positive approach. He batted sensibly and was aggressive when aggression was required. I only hope he carries on in similar vein against more demanding opposition.

Once he got to his hundred, he didn't give it away. After a lean trot, when you do reach such a milestone, the relief and sense of accomplishment can overwhelm you. To his credit, he just carried on, showing the strength of character that many were starting to doubt he had.

The self-restraint that he showed was also remarkable. Ganguly loves to go after the spinners and play the lofted shots. Against Ray Price, a bowler who bowled to him almost non-stop from one end, he was the epitome of restraint, employing the lofted shot only once to telling effect. For an intrinsically attacking batsman to play that way showed tremendous commitment to the team cause.

I hope the positive mood spills over into tomorrow. It would be nice to see Zimbabwe sent in to bat as early as possible. That would also send out a message that the Indian captain was keen to dictate the pace and make them happen. After clawing their way back today, it's important that India show Zimbabwe just who's boss. One can only hope that the rain and bad light stay away to give Ganguly that opportunity.

Sanjay Manjrekar, mainstay of the Indian batting in the early 1990s, was talking to H Natarajan.

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