Winning tosses...and matches

Exploiting the early life in the wicket and cashing in on the advantage of winning the toss, it's now India's turn to reap the rewards of the captain calling right.

But then, the skipper's luck alone wouldn't have made a difference, had it not been backed by effective seam bowling and efficient catching as witnessed in this tournament. In the past, this has not always been the case.

Indeed, there have been several occasions when the Indians frittered away the benefits of winning a crucial toss in bowler- friendly conditions. In other words, discipline was lacking.

On this tour, there has been an improvement on this front, and a measure of credit is due to the seamers, who have operated sensibly, which again is important.

A paceman like Debasis Mohanty is better off if he bowls within his limitations, doesn't strive for too much. He's done just that in the couple of opportunities he has received in the tournament so far and the results have been good.

The India-West Indies tie in Harare, the last of the league fixtures, had little at stake for both teams - they had already made the final. The stage was set for experiments.

Here, one does get a fleeting thought. That India could well have opted to bat, just to give its batsmen a feel of the early conditions. This way, it would be better prepared to face such a situation in the final, should the West Indies put India in. This way the Indians would not be caught napping.

Cricket might seem a simple game, but there is planning and strategy, and the teams with foresight are invariably better off.

Make no mistake. Inserting the West Indians was the right cricketing move under the `conditions,' yet looking at the `no- lose situation' India was in, Ganguly could well have subjected himself and the other batsmen to a sterner test. Here, unorthodox methods come into play, but the risk would have been worth it.

In the event, Master Batsman Sachin Tendulkar and Ganguly put the contest beyond the West Indies with a solid opening stand. The West Indians seemed down and out after the partnership.

It's hard not to admire Tendulkar's commitment, even in matches where there is little cause for excitement. He just carries on with the business of making runs, and making them in style.

Being gifted, Tendulkar is expected to score runs - it's more of a surprise if he fails against Zimbabwe and the West Indies - but the fact that there is so much personal pride on display, each time he goes out into the middle, marks him out as a very special cricketer.

Ganguly showed yet another glimpse of returning to form but his real test would come against Allan Donald & Co. on the bouncy South African wickets.

Well, India is on a roll in this tournament, but let's not get carried away. Zimbabwe and West Indies are not exactly at the top of the world ratings. In fact, far from thrilling one's senses, some of the one-dayers in this triangular series have been boring.

K. SRIKKANTH

www.krishsrikkanth.com

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