Good news for India on pace front

The Indians were always going to reach the target of 170 and with Master Batsman Sachin Tendulkar determined to make a sizable contribution, the writing was on the wall for the West Indians at Bulawayo.

There was no cause for alarm even if a couple of quick wickets were lost during the chase. Tendulkar was on song and India registered its third successive win in the tournament.

It was nice to see India fielding pacemen Debasis Mohanty and Harvinder Singh, and all-rounder Reetinder Singh Sodhi for the game. Mohanty and Harvinder excelled, while Sodhi did his reputation no harm.

For quite some time now, our seamers have been performing well in the overseas conditions that has something in it for the pacemen. It was no different on Saturday.

Both Mohanty and Harvinder, who were able to move the ball around, were returning to the international scene after a gap and it was creditable that they could find their feet so quickly.

There appears to be more depth too on the country's pace-bowling scene. This increases competition among the contenders and is a good pointer towards the future.

Tournaments like these can be used to find the right combination, bring about balance in the side, with the World Cup in mind. At the same time, performing players like Ashish Nehra can be given a break. The team stands to gain on both counts, like it did in this game.

Yet, without taking any credit away from the bowlers - on a given day they can only be judged against the batsmen they are bowling to - it has to be mentioned that the West Indian batting is short of international class.

The true test for India will come later on, when it meets the formidable South Africa in its den. That is when we can form long-term opinions on some of the fringe cricketers.

There is a total absence of both technique and character in the West Indian line-up these days. In fact, it is difficult to believe that the batsmen from the Caribbean used to rule the world not so long ago, with men like Vivian Richards and Gordon Greenidge putting fear in the bowlers.

Richards and Greenidge come along once in a lifetime, but at least, the West Indians can unearth batsmen who can be consistent, if not destructive.

In this scenario, the absence of star batsman Brian Lara is a huge hole in the line-up. Against India, the West Indians, made just 169 in 50 overs, grossly inadequate.

This too due to some spirited resistance down the order from Ridley Jacobs, the one Caribbean who battles it out manfully match after match, only to watch the others letting the side down.

K.SRIKKANTH

www.krishsrikkanth.com

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