Sport - Cricket

Indian youngsters didn't take the opportunities

K. SRIKKANTH

It was sad that a final of the TVS tournament had to end in this fashion. We all like to see a single winner.

A shared trophy in a competition where both India and South Africa were only expected to reach the final, meant everyone went back disappointed. But when weather intervenes, little can be done.

If you ask me, the South Africans gained more from the tournament. They arrived in Dhaka following a disastrous World Cup campaign, and their confidence must have been in tatters.

But the side, after a hesitant start, rallied under its new skipper Graeme Smith, who appears a tough bloke.

Let's not forget that the South Africans were playing in conditions not suitable to them. The pitches in Dhaka were slow, the weather was hot and humid, and you would have expected the Indians to thrive here.

When South Africa defeated India in the last league match, it was clear that they were finally coming together as a unit.

As the tournament progressed, the South Africans played with much spirit and in the final, when rain cut short any more play, they had put themselves in a good position.

Mkhaya Ntini appears to be coming along well as a paceman who could serve South Africa for a long time to come. Every side requires an aggressive fast bowler like him.

Shaun Pollock was impressive and Allan Dawson, sticking to the basics, emerged the surprise packet. The tempo of the South African fielding also picked up.

Coming to the Indians, the youngsters did not take the opportunities. I had expected much from Gautam Gambhir, who had performed well for India `A', apart from excelling in the domestic tournaments.

However, he has a distinct weakness outside the off-stump, which was exploited by the South African pacemen. The left-hander has to work on his technical shortcomings.

It would have been heartening from India's point of view, had the reserve opener's slot been filled. Now we are back to square one.

The only exception among the youngsters was paceman Avishkar Salvi, who displayed good temperament for someone playing in his first tournament.

Salvi's line is good, around the off-stump area, and he does get the ball to move around. He is someone India should persist with even after Javagal Srinath and Aashish Nehra return.

Harbhajan bowled well for India in Dhaka, however, he has been battling with a finger injury for a quite a while now, and I hear, he is under painkillers.

Here, I think India should look at its long-term interests, for the talented off-spinner could eventually end up with a more serious problem. I hear Harbhajan has a county stint ahead of him this season. I respect him as a cricketer, and I hope he takes the right decision regarding his future.

The Indians have earned themselves a well-deserved break, and they should spend the time looking back at their cricket over the last six months, and ironing out the chinks.

This has been an eventful season for Indian cricket, and the boys have played with much spirit. However, it's already time to plan for the season ahead.

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