Wednesday, Apr 17, 2002
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Cricket
From an Indian perspective Rahul Dravid's responsible hundred was easily the highlight of the first Test at Georgetown. Once again, his unflappable temperament was on view as he piloted the Indian side to a position of safety from a threatening situation. Dravid has been a committed performer for India over the years, often putting his best foot forward during times of adversity. It was no different in the first Test. What one liked about Dravid's hundred at Bourda was his never-say-die spirit and his resolve. He received a painful blow from a nasty short-pitched delivery from Dillon, but only emerged stronger, an incident that speaks for his courage and character. Test cricket is a hard game and it is strength of mind that separates a lesser batsman from a stronger one. Dravid, apart from his ability with the willow, is a resilient customer. He richly deserved a hundred and had rain not cut into play in the last two days, could well have notched up a double century. He will have an important role to play in this campaign. It was a crucial half-century for V.V.S. Laxman too, left out of the side for the Delhi match against Zimbabwe, India's previous Test. So it was a comeback of sorts for this stylish batsman. The injury to Virender Sehwag had opened up a Test place for Laxman, and he did produce a valuable effort, even if a century eluded him. The partnership between Dravid and Laxman was a vital one, considering the West Indian morale was high after the brilliant Sachin Tendulkar's dismissal. On the flip side, Ganguly presented a pathetic sight at the crease, clueless against the short stuff, even from a mediorce bunch of pacemen. The Indian skipper will have to drop down the order and preferably, Dravid should be back at the No 3 slot. In an attempt to achieve balance in the side, the Indian team-management decided to continue with Deep Dasgupta opening the innings, and the move back-fired. It is vital that the Indians have specialists and specialist slots. There are problems with the attack too. India has to decide whether Anil Kumble can command a place away from home, where his record is ordinary. The leg-spinner struggled in the first Test, and an extra paceman could be worth a try. Srinath bowled a lovely first spell but hardly received any support. And to make matters worse for India, catches were put down at crucial stages, with Dasgupta hardly covering himself in glory. In the West Indian innings, Carl Hooper was brilliant. He is a batsman in the classical mould and got a bulk of his runs with correct, orthodox strokes, though on the odd occasion he was willing to improvise. Hooper's ability has never been in question, and in this innings he displayed an ideal temperament too by going on to a huge score, driving imperiously on both sides of the wicket. Brian Lara was removed early, but another left-hander Shivnarine Chanderpaul exposed the shortcomings in the Indian attack, with a forceful century. Normally a cautious customer, Chanderpaul changed tactics in this innings, and went after the Indian bowling with the West Indians in a spot of bother. The Indian bowlers and the captain, rattled by the onslaught, appeared to run out of ideas. They will have to get their act together fast. The team also does need Harbhajan Singh to get back, before too long. He is a match-winner.
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