Buoyant Indians determined to ground high-flying Kiwis

By Vijay Lokapally

NAIROBI, OCT 14.A pleasant enigma! That is what Indian cricket is. Languishing a fortnight back in the dark alleys of uncertainty, it is glowing now with stars who have lit up the horizon with their dazzling talent.

So rapid has been the transition for the team that the success has not yet sunk in. The success of having made the final of a major international tournament in 15 years. Forget the tri- series and four-nation competitions, for India is on the verge of winning the ICC Knockout tournament, which is considered next to the World Cup.

India's opponent on Sunday will not be Australia, South Africa or Pakistan, all packed off home, but the unsung New Zealand, which has come a long way too in the last fortnight.

This tournament has witnessed the rise of two cricketing nations which had forgotten the art of winning. Known to lose control from winning positions, India and New Zealand, for a change, have played to the potential. The Indians have discovered a few stars while the Kiwis, who have never believed in the culture of promotion of individuals, are happy not having any. Collective effort has remained the Kiwi strength and India too might have an area to explore here.

``We had the potential'' coach Aunshuman Gaekwad proudly announces. Credit to him, he was one of the few who had faith in this team. He has done his bit properly-talking to the players, boosting their morale with successful tales from the past, and importantly drilling home the fact that they are accountable for their deeds once picked to represent the country.

Gaekwad may not carry a lap top with him with all kind of data on the opponents but he does possess the canny ability to talk an individual into a zone of confidence and self-belief. Obviously he knows his cricket very well and privately keeps his own notings with data of his players.

``I must first know the plus and minus points of my boys in order to exploit their talent and them to perform to their potential. My job is to get the best out of them'' he smiles. It is not that Gaekwad does not read the opponents but keeps his thoughts to himself and uses them at the appropriate time either to guide the team or an individual.

It is not that Gaekwad has not kept with modern times. ``I do understand the benefits of modern technology but what about the human factor. A lap top is not the only thing which can win matches. A lap top can be a useful thing but not the only factor in my opinion'' he added.

Let us hear from Gaekwad what has been the difference between this team and the one that fared poorly at the Asia Cup in Dhaka. ``I think it is the fielding factor that has worked the magic. I have been particularly concentrating on this aspect and also the fact the younger lot is prepared to accept the new ideas and follow them for the benefit of everyone in the team'' said the Indian coach.

Gaekwad, in the short time he has spent thus far in his second stint, revealed a few things. ``I have been more assertive this time. I have told the boys that they have duties to perform. Duty towards the game and the people who back them. Go and give your best. I believe in action'' he says.

``I believe in action too. I don't like making predictions'' chips in skipper Sourav Ganguly, who has gained the most during the Kenyan safari here. His overindulgence in crocodile and zebra meat at the Carnivore here did create a minor scare as the skipper was down with a terrible tummy but he returned 48 hours later to play a highly motivating innings against South Africa, a team which he describes with the ``best fast bowling attack in the world.''

Behind this resurgence of Indian cricket lies the fantastic work done by the National selection committee. The Board president, Mr. A. C. Muthiah took the first step when, asked by the Government, he gave a directive to the selectors to keep the tainted players out. The selectors obliged but they earned their marks by picking the right men.

Yuveraj Singh selection, a brilliant one

Yuveraj Singh, who had played just one Ranji Trophy match in four years before he made his mark in the junior World Cup and forced his way back into the Punjab team, was a brilliant choice. So was Zaheer Khan. Not wanted by either Maharashtra or Mumbai, this gifted left-arm seamer explored his career with Baroda, and thanks to the recommendation from Javagal Srinath, found a place in the Indian team. These two have had a lasting effect on the team's fortunes in Nairobi.

Countless Indians in the past came to Kenya in search of greener pastures. Many stayed back having found the riches. This bunch of Indians has re-discovered the winning ways and the cricketing riches in the shape of a mini world cup trophy and a boost to the reputation now beckon the lads to give their best.

The Kiwis, on the other hand, are in touch with the ground realities. ``Wr are up against a very good opposition'' was skipper Stephen Fleming's reaction . The strength of the Kiwi side has been its ability to raise its game, thanks to a collective contribution.

Standing tall amidst the Kiwis is Roger Twose, the left-handed performer with an average of 40 plus in 68 one-day internationals. He ranks second best after Glenn Turner in New Zealand's history and he has been in the forefront of this fantastic revival of the Black Caps. No stars, no airs about their cricket, this modest group can pull off a few sensations and the Indians would do well to guard against complacency on Sunday.

The Indians have concentrated hard to keep themselves focussed. The core group of Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble have performed creditably thus far. It was nice to watch Dravid stroke the ball freely, having taken upon himself the mantle of anchoring the innings, and in the process sacrificing his desire to play his shots.

``One of us has to perform the role of an anchorman. I enjoy doing it because Sachin and Sourav are immensely gifted batsmen and have been doing their job perfectly all these years. It is important to ensure that we don't have a new pair at a crucial stage in the middle. I have a specific job to perform so that others can play their natural game. I was happy with the way I batted. It was an innings which worked as we had planned. Sourav was batting superbly and my job was to ensure no pressure came on him. It went off well'' said Dravid, the key-man now in the Indian scheme of things.

The Indian team meetings have become meaningful. The players could not watch the video recordings of Australia's recent matches as the tapes `vanished' from the hotel reception but the team will spend this evening watching video clippings of the New Zealand matches, followed by a meeting and a dinner together. This camaraderie is a new, pleasant acquisition.

The Kiwis have depth in their batting; enhanced self- belief after that grand feat against Pakistan and their bowling looks sharp when backed by a brilliant set of fielders. With the right attitude towards the game, New Zealanders will be no pushovers and the Indians know that with ample past experience. Chris Cairns, who missed the match against Pakistan due to a knee injury, is still in the fray and his fate will be known on the morning of the match. The Kiwis, meanwhile, were busy planning ways to tackle Kumble, the bowler they fear most.

The news regarding Robin Singh, who suffered a dislocation in the little finger of his left hand, was encouraging. ``No fracture but just swelling. He should recover. In case he doesn't, we might think of playing Sunil (Joshi)'' said Gaekwad.

One more conquest on the field and it would propel this Indian team into a new era of hope. Gaekwad is confident. The team is confident. If they beat the Kiwis and win the cup, it shall rank among the finest achievements for Indian cricket. In these troubled times, it may come as a great consolation.

The teams (From) :

India : Sourav Ganguly (Captain), Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Vinod Kambli, Yuveraj Singh, Robin Singh, Vijay Dahiya, Ajit Agarkar, Anil Kumble, Zaheer Khan, Venkatesh Prasad, Sunil Joshi, Hemang Badani, S. Sriram.

New Zealand : Stephen Fleming (Captain), Nathan Astle, Craig Spearman, Roger Twose, Craig McMillan, Adam Parore, Scott Styris, Geoff Allott, Shayne O'Connor, Paul Wiseman, Chris Cairns, Chris Nevin and G. Sulzberger.

The umpires : Messrs David Shepherd and Steve Bucknor; Third umpire : Mr. Darrel Hair; Match Referee : Mr. Ranjan Madugalle.

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