Strange tactics by Zimbabwe

The Zimbabwean approach during the chase at Ahmedabad was baffling indeed. Looking at a 300-plus target, the visiting batsmen were expected to go hell for leather from the very beginning for that represented their best chance.

Instead, we found someone like Stuart Carlisle gobbling up 25 balls before scoring a run. The negative tactics only made the job of the Indian bowlers easier.

True, Heath Streak's men had a mountain to climb, but they could have displayed some spirit at least. There was no clear strategy, and it seemed pretty obvious that the Zimbabweans had reconciled themselves to defeat.

It must be said here that apart from Andy Flower and Alistair Campbell, to some extent, the Zimbabwean batting does not appear international class. Under the circumstances, it is difficult to heap praise on the Indian bowlers.

We witnessed some other strange tactics from Zimbabwe during the day. Like watching a left-arm spinner and a leggie bowling during the end overs, especially when two left-handers were out there in the middle. With the ball spinning from off to leg, the southpaws encountered little difficulty in hitting with the spin.

Coming to the Indian innings, Ganguly' ability to carry on to a bigger score after reaching the three-figure mark served his team well yet again.

It is important that a well-set batsman stays as long as possible, especially since it is not too easy for a new player to force the pace from the word go during the final phase of the innings.

It was also good to see Rahul Dravid rotating the strike. The Karnataka batsman has a vital role to perform in both the varieties of the game for the country, and there have been occasions when he has made things more difficult for himself by getting bogged down.

The partnership between Ganguly and Dravid took the game away from the Zimbabweans after the early loss of Sachin Tendulkar. There were other useful contributions along the way, which is always good to see.

One also felt there was far too much purchase for the spinners in the wicket. It's another matter that Zimbabwe did not have the bowlers to exploit the strip. A pitch for a one-dayer should play true.

Well, the Indians are in the van as far as the one-day series is concerned, and a Zimbabwean figthback does not appear a distinct possibility. Not if they succumb so tamely.

K. SRIKKANTH

www.krishsrikkanth.com

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