Thursday, Dec 12, 2002
Thursday, Dec 12, 2002 |
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Cricket
It will only be on expected lines, if the pitch for the first Test at Wellington turns out to be a green-top. The New Zealanders are bound to play to their strengths. However, it is my belief that the Indian pacemen could exploit a seaming wicket too. The return of Zaheer Khan is good news for the side, and he really has been India best paceman during the year. If the selection of the eleven were left to me, I would choose Tinu Yohannan as Zaheer's pace partner. To be fair to Tinu, in the few opportunities that he has received, he has bowled well. I remember his Test debut against England in Mohali last year, and that was a match where he impressed a lot of people. Subsequently, he has hardly received a fair deal. He is tall, and can extract bounce from helpful pitches. Ajit Agarkar should be the other paceman, Harbhajan the lone spinner, and they would have to chip in usefully. In batting, India has two world class performers in Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar, who have made runs under all conditions, and others like V.V.S. Laxman and skipper Sourav Ganguly will have to rally around these two. It goes without saying that the opening partnership between Sanjay Bangar and Virender Sehwag will be crucial, and if they provide a solid start, then India could well progress to a match-winning score. The Indians can bat in such conditions. In Leeds this year, India made a mammoth score, and then dismissed England twice. However, I expect the Kiwi bowling to present a far stiffer test than England, as India attempts to win its first Test in New Zealand in 26 years. Shane Bond is genuinely quick, and there was none in that England attack who was as dangerous. The Indians will have to work out a proper game-plan to counter Bond. While there is so much talk about a seaming pitch, the Indian pacemen could eventually win the match for the side. The New Zealand batting is vulnerable, especially under pressure and the Indians will have to seize their opportunities. It is not as if India is meeting Australia. www.krishsrikkanth.com By K. SRIKKANTH
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