Thursday, April 07, 2005
Battle ahead - venue " Jamshedpur "
It was a terrific win for India at Vizag, though I must say that the match was closer than it appeared. Pakistan appeared in the hunt to chase even 357 till they ran up against the irregular bowlers Sachin Tendulkar and Yuvraj Singh.The hero of the match was undoubtedly Mahendra Singh Dhoni whose scorching 148 was something the Pakistanis would have least expected. Whether it was the confidence of the team management in his abilities or Dhoni's own self-belief I don't know, but the young man grabbed the opportunity to bat at number three with both hands. I am not one for pinch hitters for this Indian side that is flush with high quality batsmen. But Dhoni's innings was so extraordinary that it made me think otherwise -- at least for that day. He showed no nerves coming in at the fall of Tendulkar's wicket and flayed the bowling to all parts of the ground.
The biggest feature of Dhoni's innings was that he played selflessly, for the team. Even approaching landmarks like 50 and 100, he did not slow down, though he could have been justified since for someone who still had still to cement his place in the side. To me that reveals a very healthy cricketing mindset.
But in spite of Dhoni's superb hundred, it was once again Virender Sehwag who took the stuffing out of Pakistan with a whirlwind knock. Sehwag cannot put a wrong foot now and he was at his destructive best in this innings, allowing Pakistan no chance though Tendulkar had fallen cheaply. If Pakistan have to make a comeback in this one-day series, they must get Sehwag early.
Pakistan's performance at Vizag was an improvement over Kochi, yet not good enough to win the match. Losing the toss in both matches was hard luck for Inzamam, especially in such debilitating heat and humidity. But he must also look at other areas that need improvement.
The batsmen, as I mentioned, have been unable to come to terms with Tendulkar and Yuvraj. I would think they would be better off with another left-hander. Maybe someone like Asim Kamal to counter these irksome bowlers.I also feel that Inzamam and Youhana, the side's two premier batsmen, are batting one place lower than they should, and the attack would look more potent with Danish Kaneria in the playing eleven.
Some of these choices may not be easy to make. But having lost the first two matches, Pakistan must up the risk to make a comeback in the series. We may expect some thrilling cricket ahead in the series and its a treat for cricket lovers.
The biggest feature of Dhoni's innings was that he played selflessly, for the team. Even approaching landmarks like 50 and 100, he did not slow down, though he could have been justified since for someone who still had still to cement his place in the side. To me that reveals a very healthy cricketing mindset.
But in spite of Dhoni's superb hundred, it was once again Virender Sehwag who took the stuffing out of Pakistan with a whirlwind knock. Sehwag cannot put a wrong foot now and he was at his destructive best in this innings, allowing Pakistan no chance though Tendulkar had fallen cheaply. If Pakistan have to make a comeback in this one-day series, they must get Sehwag early.
Pakistan's performance at Vizag was an improvement over Kochi, yet not good enough to win the match. Losing the toss in both matches was hard luck for Inzamam, especially in such debilitating heat and humidity. But he must also look at other areas that need improvement.
The batsmen, as I mentioned, have been unable to come to terms with Tendulkar and Yuvraj. I would think they would be better off with another left-hander. Maybe someone like Asim Kamal to counter these irksome bowlers.I also feel that Inzamam and Youhana, the side's two premier batsmen, are batting one place lower than they should, and the attack would look more potent with Danish Kaneria in the playing eleven.
Some of these choices may not be easy to make. But having lost the first two matches, Pakistan must up the risk to make a comeback in the series. We may expect some thrilling cricket ahead in the series and its a treat for cricket lovers.
