The Hindu : India suffers early setbacks

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Apr 22, 2002

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Sport - Cricket

India suffers early setbacks

By Vijay Lokapally

Indian speedster Ashish Nehra, joined by wicket-keeper Ajay Ratra, appeals vociferously and successfully for a leg-before decision against Mervyn Dillon on the third day of the second Test against West Indies at the Queen's Park Oval, Port of Spain on Sunday. — Photo: V.V. Krishnan.

PORT OF SPAIN APRIL 21. The Indian team has begun to emulate its past `deeds when playing overseas. The Queens Park Oval witnessed a steady West Indian comeback as India messed up all the good work of its bowlers earlier in the day. A first-innings lead of 94 runs was built upon by a resplendent Rahul Dravid beore the `famed Indian batting line-up came apart against some sustained but not hostile pace attack. At tea on the third day of the second Test, India was 77 for four — 171 ahead — even as the West Indies explored various avenues to carve a win.

Hang on to your seats as the Test enters a decisive phase, what with the bowlers beginning to believe that they now have a greater say in matters on the field. The Indians proved it with their overcautious approach despite enjoying a sizeable lead.

Shiv Sundar Das showed clumsy footwork while Sanjay Bangar became a victim of his tentative front foot play. Dravid, in cracking form, relaxed and got a faint leg-side edge and the biggest blow came when Sachin Tendulkar was adjudged leg-before. The Indian camp might have felt despondent with the ruling by umpire Asoka de Silva as the ball was climbing when it struck the batsman well above the roll. It brought the stadium alive as Tendulkar failed to concentrate in the crucial second innings when it mattered for the team.

Three wickets in the space of 13 balls — Bangar, Dravid and Tendulkar — left the match evenly balanced. A scenario very different when the Indian openers walked out. All it needed was one good partnership but the frontline batsmen could not apply themselves better. Of course one crass decision too left the Indians in a sorry state. But that should not count an excuse for an indiscplined approach to the task. And let it be noted the pitch was not responsible for the West Indies managing a fightback.

It was all in the mind of the inconsistent Indian batting line up which now looks up to Sourav Ganguly (17) and V. V. S. Laxman (6) to show the way.

Earlier, Carl Hooper remained an exception to the notorious West Indian batting slide, a nightmare that returned to haunt the home dressing room. The audience may have been a trifle disappointed by the West Indians but the match was no doubt interestingly poised with Carl Hooper and his men not really giving up.

Resuming at 197 for six, the West Indies was all out for 245 as the Indian bowlers continued their good work on the third morning. Hooper led from the front, holding the West Indians innings together. The disintegration had been rapid at one point but he showed his temperament with a knock, which reflected his form and discipline. It was a performance, which put in shade Brian Lara's contribution because Hooper was confronted with a detour. He negotiated it skilfully before falling into the trap set by the Indians lured into a drive with his counterpart prowling to take the catch at mid-off.

The intensity with which he led the side just about showed the strides Ganguly had made during the course of this one session. One vital session which highlighted his dexterous reading of the situation. Ganguly was in complete command as he made successful bowling changes and set up men in strategic positions. And then he raised his own fielding standard to lead by example.

Propelled by Javagal Srinath's experience and the exuberance of the youth, the Indians placed themselves in a strong position in the last session of the second day.

The situation required every bowler to make his contribution and there was no let down from any quarter, as was acknowledged by Srinath.

The Indian bowlers snatched the initiative from the West Indies which made a healthy start but lost its composure in the last session when it lost four vital wickets of Ramnaresh Sarwan, Lara, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Junior Murray.

The West Indians were rollicking as Chris Gayle and Stuart Williams appeared in little discomfort. The Indians strayed initially, especially Zaheer and Nehra. Williams was in cracking form as he belted the Indian attack with his ability to spot the loose ball early but Harbhajan struck at the right time, inducing an inside-edge which was taken at short leg.

Earlier, Gayle fell to a brilliant catch at short mid-off by Shiv Sundar Das as Srinath snared him with a late inswinger, which squared up the batsman. It was a well-planned tactic, which saw Ganguly show an innovative attitude.

The West Indian response to the challenge was positive and set up the stage for an interesting contest before India raised its level when it mattered most.Lara was a case.

He was just about beginning to enjoy his stay and the half century he had reached was an ominous sign indeed but a great delivery from Zaheer left him and the crowd grieving.

The Indian bowlers did well to bowl within their limitations. Zaheer returned for a brilliant second spell in which he accounted for Lara's wicket.

The ball left the batsman late and Lara, just beginning to collar the bowling, `walked' away in grace as Ajay Ratra took a superb catch in front of him. Lara had earlier distinctly been lucky to survive two leg-before shouts.

There was not much in the pitch for the bowlers though. Nehra looked good in patches and should thank Sarwan for his indicretion more than any merit in the ball for the wicket_Dravid taking the regulation catch at first slip.

Chanderpaul was rattled by a first-ball snorter from Zaheer and ultimately played across to be trapped in front off a hard-working Srinath.

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