India has a distinct advantage

The approach of the Indian batsmen was commendable as they took apart the Aussie attack. India has a distinct advantage and the pressure is on the Aussies batsmen.

Tendulkar's innings was a masterpiece, with the great batsman playing responsibly in the early stages in keeping with the situation and then opening out against an Aussie attack that lost its way under pressure.

What came one say about Tendulkar. This man is a genius in every sense of the word, and is one of the committed cricketers, always putting the interests of the team above self.

It was a pressure situation when Tendulkar and Dravid came together and had a wicket fallen then, the Indian lower- order batting might have succumbed tamely as one saw later in the day.

The two handled the phase wonderfully well, with some bright cricket, after getting settling down. Dravid's effort was also a precious one and he looks such a better batsman when he plays with freedom.

One is very happy with the approach of the Indian batsmen who knew they had to take a handy lead in the first innings.

The onus was on the openers to show the way and Sadagopan Ramesh and Shiv Sundar Das, produced a brilliant opening partnership, approaching the job on hand positively, always the key.

Apart from being a good student of the game, Das is a compact player with a sound technique and a wide array of strokes. He should be around for long.

Ramesh also utilised the opportunity to silence his critics. It was a pleasing knock from the left-hander who never hesitated to take the fight to the bowlers.

There are some people in the print and electronic media gunning for Ramesh. The reasons given for omitting him from the Indian team are rubbish. Let those who are critical of Ramesh have a look at his Test record.

He has seldom failed in a series, there are not too many Indian openers who can boast of a better record in the last five years. There is nothing wrong in dropping a player when he is not performing, but why single out one man?

Laxman's dominant ways was yet another proof that he could be the ideal No. 3 batsman. He loves to play his strokes and is such a natural shot-maker.

Harbhajan Singh's fine spell on the second day showed how much he has come on as a bowler. The Sardar is bowling a wonderful line, and seems to be enjoying the role of a strike bowler, instead of letting it work on his mind.

K. SRIKKANTH

www.krishsrikkanth.com

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