The Hindu : Indian fielding was sharp

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jun 04, 2002

Sport

Sport - Cricket

Indian fielding was sharp

It was good to see the Indians winning the one-day series. They certainly picked themselves up to an extent after the setback in the Test series.

What caught my attention was the Indian catching and throwing during the final stages of the third match in Port of Spain. Harbhajan Singh came up with a fine catch at third man to dismiss Ridley Jacobs. With the West Indian 'keeper taking the battle to the Indian camp, it was a crucial dismissal.

The Indians hit the stumps more than once in the West Indian innings and the fielding was indeed sharp. This is such a vital aspect of ODI cricket and I hope they continue in the same vein during the future matches also.

The bowlers stuck to their job well in the decider and this young Indian attack does hold some promise. Even during the stage when Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Ridley Jacobs went after the bowlers, the Indians kept their cool, did not panic.

The Indians did get outplayed in the truncated first game in Trinidad, yet, I would not like to criticise them, for a 25-over-a-side game is not the right kind of test or challenge. Nevertheless, Chris Gayle struck the ball with effortless ease during his hurricane innings.

We now come to two contentious issues. Sachin Tendulkar not opening the innings, and Rahul Dravid donning the wicketkeeper's gloves. Tendulkar, despite his valuable knock in the final ODI, has to open. He is our best batsman and should have the chance of facing the full fifty overs. Disturbing the formidable Tendulkar-Ganguly opening combination will prove counterproductive.

Virender Sehwag may be alright at the top of the order at home, but it is a different challenge overseas and, here, he would be much more comfortable in the middleorder, where he has played before and made runs.

About Rahul Dravid keeping wickets, it is not bound to help the side in the long run, especially with a promising youngster like Ajay Ratra around. I don't feel an additional batsman is going to help the side too much; if six do not do the job, it is unlikely that the seventh will. In any case, Mohammed Kaif is wasted coming so low down the order. Tendulkar, back as opener, and Ratra in the 'keeper's role, would certainly make the side better.

www.krishsrikkanth.com

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Sport