A great knock, and at the right time

It was a fantastic victory for the Indians in the triangular series in a crucial encounter against the Kiwis on Thursday. Chasing a stiff target of 265 runs even on a batsman-friendly wicket was not going to be easy at all and the way the Indians planned their innings was something truly commendable.

What an innings it was from Virender Sehwag! One should concede that this is one of the best innings that I have seen from an opener of late. His knock came at a time when he was being pilloried by everybody, including yours truly, for succumbing to poor shots. He proved all of them wrong with a scintillating century. It could not have come at a more appropriate time when a defeat would have sent the Kiwis into the final.

Sehwag catapulted the art of batting to a different level, belting the Kiwi attack to all parts of the ground without much ado. If he continues to bat the way he did on Wednesday, Indians can look for brighter days ahead.

Captain Sourav Ganguly made a calculation error in not giving two of the best bowlers-Ashish Nehra and Yuveraj Singh-their full quota of 10 overs. But Ganguly did not commit similar errors on the batting front. With Sehwag in such roaring form all the captain had to do was to give as much as strike as possible strike to the inform batsman. And Ganguly did exactly that and this was one of the prime reasons for the Indian team cruising to a comfortable win. Surely, it was a sensible innings from Ganguly under the circumstances.

In the same vein, Rahul Dravid and Hemang Badani did not get bogged down after that superb knock from Sehwag as they continued to put pressure on the Kiwis bowlers with some pleasing shots to the boundaries. I am happy for the Indian team for the manner in which they chalked out the victory.

Coming to New Zealand, once again Nathan Astle played an excellent knock but unfortunately for him, the support from the lower down was found wanting. Astle seem to be relishing the Indian bowling for this is his second hundred in the series against the Indians.

I have always maintained that youngsters should be given more opportunities as they are capable of winning matches under crunch situations. The last three matches, which India has won, has been primarily due to innovative approach of the young bunch. Hats of to them.

With this victory, the outlook of the Indian team has been completely changed and it is important they maintain the good run as consistency is the hallmark of any great team. With youngsters chipping in under pressure situations even without adequate support from the senior cricketers, things are certainly looking up for Indian cricket.

If the Indian team maintains the same positive approach, given that youngsters continue to deliver the goods, there is no doubt in my mind that India will definitely take the fight to the Sri Lankan camp when the two meet in the final.

By K. SRIKKANTH

www.krishsrikkanth.com

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