Sport - Cricket

Indian attack wears a balanced look now
K. Srikkanth

The Indian bowlers have performed a fair job on the opening day of the Nagpur Test, though things would have been even better if they had removed the tail quickly.

The home batsmen must now occupy the crease for two full days, to set up an innings victory. The Zimbabweans are going to be under tremendous pressure from here on. Given the lack of quality of the Zimbabwe attack - it must surely be the weakest after Bangladesh - our batsmen also have a wonderful opportunity to improve their statistics and averages. They would do well not to look the gift horse in the mouth.

Andy Flower, the key man in the Zimbabwe line-up, tasted a rare failure against India, and this was a huge setback for a beleaguered team. However, a measure of credit is due to skipper Stuart Carlisle for a battling innings.

From an Indian perspective, Zaheer Khan's display was most heartening. He is the in-form bowler, and the selectors have done well to pick him for the Test.

It was nice to see Zaheer bowling with fire even in the Indian conditions and get some reverse swing. Sanjay Bangar appeared adequate too in a supporting role.

The composition of the Indian attack for the Test is much different from the one for the Bangalore Test against England. The bowling does wear a more balanced look this time around with two pacemen, two spinners and a support seamer.

One feels a touch sorry for off-spinner Sarandeep Singh, who has done well for India in both the Tests he has played so far, yet we cannot be critical of Bangar receiving the nod, considering India has quite desperately sought an all- rounder in recent times.

Coming to batting, Virender Sehwag cracked a half- century in Bangalore, but doesn't find a place in the eleven this time, the side deciding against an extra batsman. Selecting the eleven can be a demanding exercise and it is difficult to please all the people all the time. The young Sehwag would certainly receive his chances in the future.

The Nagpur pitch is likely to deteriorate as the Test progresses, and we all know how destructive Anil Kumble can be in such conditions. It would come as a huge surprise if India does not go on to win the Test.

www.krishsrikkanth.com

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