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A summer to remember

In several respects, it has been a summer to remember for the Indians in England.

Sourav Ganguly's men scripted a superb victory in the NatWest final at Lord's and then came back magnificently at Leeds, to level the Test series at 1-1.

A lot of people might have been disappointed about India not actually going on to win the Test series, but the side did not have much of a chance on the placid Oval pitch.

The fact that India got so close to England's first innings score of 515 is creditable in itself.

Under Nasser Hussain, England has been quite impressive in Test cricket over the last two years, and our men have done well to square the series.

India has come under much criticism whenever it failed to deliver, and now that it has performed reasonably well, words of praise are due.

The biggest gain from the series has been that the Indians have performed as a team, at least in batting.

Everyone contributed, and it was not the case of one batsman scoring heavily, and the others not rising to the occasion.

Dravid, Tendulkar and Ganguly had a wonderful time with the willow, however, Sehwag made runs in the first two Tests, Laxman too had his moments, and Bangar, by batting doggedly, did what was expected from him an as opener.

This is what I have always been emphasising on. India needs to perform as one unit, and they look so much better when they do so.

In bowling, Zaheer Khan bowled with a great heart though this was not always reflected in his tally of wickets.

He kept the pressure on the batsmen, and could have returned better figures had there been sufficient support for him.

At last, Ajit Agarkar made runs at the Test arena, including a century at Lord's, but his bowling was inconsistent.

This concerns me for having been his coach at the junior level, I know only too well that he is capable for performing much, much better. He should do justice to his own ability.

Among the spinners, in conditions not favourable to the bowlers of his ilk, Harbhajan Singh stuck to his job, and emerged with his reputation enhanced from the tour.

It is not easy for an off-spinner to hold his own in England, and I am sure Harbhajan's confidence must be on a high now.

He could be destructive against the West Indians at home.

The images of Yuveraj Singh and Mohammed Kaif providing a wonderful win at Lord's in the NatWest final, India's remarkable victory in the Headingley Test, Sachin Tendulkar walking out for his 100th Test at the Oval, Dravid's amazing run with the willow, and the little Parthiv Patel making his Test debut at 17 and still doing a brave job...they have all stayed in my mind.

It was a summer where the Indian team grabbed attention through the sheer weight of its performances.

Like Michael Vaughan for England, Dravid was outstanding for India, yet, India, as a single unit came to the fore in the series.

www.krishsrikkanth

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