Sarandeep Singh impresses

Runs are being scored so easily on the barren Nagpur strip that it is painful to watch the bowlers suffer in silence. Cricket loses much of its charm when things are loaded so overwhelmingly in the favour of batsmen.

The big scores made in these conditions do not count for much, and even those following the match on television would have got bored with the proceedings, switching the tube on only to know the latest scores, rather than watch a game fully.

The usage `flogging a dead horse' comes to mind, when we witness batsmen making merry in such a manner. Things have to change if Indian cricket is to move in the right direction

Under the circumstances, it was good to watch young off-spinner Sarandeep Singh make a fair impression in his first Test. With the pitch not providing him any assistance, the Sardar depended on flight and displayed good temperament too by getting into his stride quickly.

It would have been so much better had the selectors persisted with Sarandeep for the one-day internationals also, especially since they were always on the look-out for a bowler of his kind. Picking the pedestrian Nikhil Chopra is a step backwards.

The selectors are talking of blooding young cricketers, but in omitting Sarandeep for the overs-limit contests, they would have done his confidence no good.

On the positive side, the Indians got the balance right this time around by playing five bowlers. And if the home team has some chance of winning the match, it is only due to the variety in the attack, the induction of Sarandeep and left-arm paceman Zaheer Khan providing it. Let's hope the selectors continue to see wisdom in fielding five bowlers for a Test.

The Zimbabwe think-tank showed some innovation - a necessary factor for success in every aspect of life - and the swap in the batting order that saw Vice captain Guy Whittall opening the innings and the out of form Grant Flower going in at No. 6 has definitely worked.

One hears that Whittall, who was positive at the top of the order, volunteered to go opening, and it is always good to see senior cricketers willing to shoulder responsibility when things are not going well.

K.SRIKKANTH

www.krishsrikkanth.com

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