by Sreelata S. Yellamrazu
India's victory in Mohali was not a rare effort. In fact, team India pulled it off exactly two years ago against the Australians. Here's a look back.
When words translated in action, Australia found themselves short while India fought back where it mattered most, writes Sreelata S. Yellamrazu
The mantra for the Australian team on this tour to India- patience- has been repeated to the point of boredom. Before the start of the series, the Australians skipper remarked that India adhere to the old school of cricket while Australia play the modern game. When the first Test in Bengaluru ended in a draw, Ponting stated that they (the Australians) were the only ones looking to take the game forward. What happened in Mohali is also perhaps then something only they can explain because only one team showed more cricketing acumen, more hunger, better judgement in adapting to the changing nuances of the game and yes, more patience in Mohali and it certainly was not the one in the visitors' dressing room.
Pay It Forward
It was hard to understand why Anil Kumble was tearing his hair out trying to fight a vain battle against the highly attentive media or why the extent of his injury had to be such a hushed up affair. Stuart Clark's injury put him out of the reckoning for the second Test and in the Indian dressing room, the story was no different for the Indian skipper. With Ponting himself assuring the media that Kumble was not going to take the field, it was hard to imagine what kind of one-upmanship was being played, even against his detractors.
But once Test day dawned, Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss, chose to bat and gave India the impetus on which to take it forward right up till the final day. The openers, Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag, in a vein that has become synonymous with them, got India off to a flying start and despite a few early blows, ensured Australia would not reap the benefits of a wet scenario brought on by rain on the days preceding the Test. Mitchell Johnson pulled things back for Australia but not before significant partnerships has been forged between the openers for seventy and between Gambhir and Rahul Dravid for seventy-six. If the morning belonged to the Indians, Australia felt assured they had wrested the initiative back before tea.
Sachin's Record Distracting, for Australia?
How easy it is to be carried away by one man's feat was evident in the third session's play. In the context of the game, after the brilliant start by the Indian openers, the middle order staged a mini collapse in that India found themselves at four down for 163 with V.V.S. Laxman continuing his string of low scores.
With Australia feeling somewhat elated after the middle section, it was important for the stalwarts of Indian cricket to stop it from derailing further. The partnership between Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly was, in hindsight, critical in the context of the game because it kept Australia on the back foot. The 142 run partnership was interrupted rather lengthily when Sachin Tendulkar finally surpassed Brian Lara's record of most test runs of 11,953.
The celebrations burst in the form of crackers and the buzz around the stadium at this kind of rejoicing simply refused to die down. While Sachin's achievements cannot be subverted, one wondered if this kind of celebration was warranted in the midst of a match and if it could not wait till the match concluded. The batsman's concentration could have easily been distracted and given the current scenario, handed an easy wicket or two for the Australians. The fact that there were experienced hands at the crease ensured that despite the pompous ruckus, the duo remained focused on the task. The raptures off the field continued to dominate almost as if every one had forgotten that there was a match underway and one that could easily decide the fate of the series. Few remembered the fact the Tendulkar was eventually dismissed twelve shy of what would have been a memorable century. But count on the Australians not to.
But the day thereafter vindicated the man who scored 7000 runs the previous evening only to be overshadowed by a man whose tally was 5000 more than his. Ganguly's century on the morning of the second day's play was not only vital from the contest with the visitors but also, from a personal standpoint where Ganguly could back his words that he felt he was still good for the game. While Ganguly and Tendulkar steadied the ship with positive stroke play, stand-in skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni took the game to another notch in a commanding knock of ninety-two that propelled India to 469.
Australian fightback held back; Mishra mesmerizes
Australia's attempts to begin well were once again thwarted by Zaheer Khan knocking down Matthew Hayden's stumps; the duo making something of a habit of their first over run-ins. Australia were revived in the first match after Hayden's dismissal by Ponting who annihilated his demons in Bengaluru but failed to recreate the spell in Mohali. Ishant Sharma picked up his "bunny" on an lbw and Australia had bucketful of trouble at seventeen for the loss of two wickets. It was a breakthrough India needed at the end of the second day in order to put Australia under severe pressure. But they found another potent weapon.
Amit Mishra walked into the Test team five years after making his one day international debut. But his debut was nothing short of excitement. Mishra's first wicket turned out to be Simon Katich whose grinding knock of thirty-three was abruptly curtailed as was his partnership with Mike Hussey who worked his way for another fine innings of fifty-four. Michael Clarke looked set for the next day before he fell to what was the final ball of the day and Mishra had trapped two to give India much reason to rejoice as Australia plummeted to 102 for four for more gloom.
Headache for the selectors
When Amit Mishra was selected for the first two Tests, it was felt that yet again the selectors were playing blind man's bluff with the much touted Piyush Chawla kept out without a decent enough run. But to Mishra's credit, he has vindicated the faith of the selectors when the opportunity presented itself and perhaps handed them a few headaches as a return gift.
Mishra picked up a fifer on debut, only the sixth Indian to do so, and handed India an opportunity to enforce the follow on. Credit must once again go the Australian tail that reduced the deficit by another 100 runs as Shane Watson kept things alive with a knock of seventy-eight that included a seventy-three run partnership with Brett Lee. It perhaps convinced India wisely not to enforce the follow on even though Australia had missed the mark by two runs.
While unchanged squad has been announced for the final two Tests against Australia, Mishra's performance is teasing the selectors to make a further bold move. With Ferozeshah Kotla in Delhi considered prime for Anil Kumble to make a comeback, it will be hard to drop Mishra and Harbhajan Singh is out of the question. The fact that Dhoni has now two wins under his belt as Test captain is not a negative on Kumble. But it is a reminder that perhaps younger shoulders are taking charge better as was seen when Dhoni briefly took over from Kumble in the Bengaluru Test as well. While Kumble's reputation as a leg spinner cannot be touched, the fact that the series against South Africa and Sri Lanka were less than ordinary and this series has been a no-show, the clock is ticking for Kumble who now faces some pressure not only as a skipper but also, winning merit on his bowling statistics in recent times.
The only other option for the selectors may be deviating from the four bowler attack that India have played safe with and drop a batsman to accommodate Kumble. But dropping Sachin or Sourav is not an option as is Dhoni, Sehwag or Gambhir, which leaves them with Dravid and V.V.S. Laxman. Dravid has runs under his belt but Laxman has a reputation against the Australians. The selectors' job is not getting any easier and now they will wonder whether they are being paying worthy of the decisions necessitated of them.
India in supersonic vein
With a session to go on day three, the onus was on India to push the bar and claim victory. To India's amazement, the objective was more facile than anticipated and the rewards more lush than imagined. Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir let loose and the Australians bowlers had no answers for the final session nor for the morning after.
In another move that has made Dhoni appear proactive in his skipper's role, he promoted himself up the order with the intention to accelerate the innings after Sehwag's departure. Gambhir slowed down marginally in the nineties. While Sehwag failed to convert his knock by ten runs, Gambhir ensured his century was inked. But it barely stopped India whose aspirations to touch 500 after the century stand between the openers the previous evening bore fruit. India hung around for well after the target of 500 has been set but it was not required.
Not Tasmanian Devil; Turbaned Trouble
Shane Watson was quoted as saying that 450 was a target Australia would consider chasing if there were four or five sessions in hand. But Australia paid a huge price for their aggressive intent. More importantly, they gave India the one thing most teams ride and thrive on – hope - and India wrecked the Australian line up when they saw the first rays.
Hayden was far from convincing in putting forth Australia's agenda. He went berserk with the bat and pulled fellow opener Simon Katich into the act. It was terrific but short lived. The only plausible explanation for Australia's misguided move that boomeranged on them would be that they perhaps felt bogged down by the Indian bowlers in the series thus far and decided to let in their aggressive vein in a bid to upset their rhythm.
What followed thereafter in a half hour before and after tea would be something Australia would be ruing for long thereafter. It was perhaps not the reason why Australia would lose this Test, but it was one amongst many. No doubt the task on hand was not ordinary. But Australia failed to apply their motto – to play the game to their natural instinct but play the patient game. While attacking comes naturally to them, their start to this innings in particular appeared forced and it failed.
Harbhajan struck first by trapping Hayden as he attempted to sweep. He then had Katich in a bid to cut loose caught by an agile Tendulkar. Mike Hussey's wicket was important soon after tea for Harbhajan and India because he has been the one in prime form and one that posed the biggest threat on this tour. Ponting received a terrific delivery from Ishant Sharma that knocked his stumps over in a defensive pose that left enough gap between bat and pad. For Ponting, it was a case of yet again, escaping one nemesis only to find the other. For Australia, it meant losing four wickets for four runs and the game was virtually handed over to a disciplined, and deadly accurate Indian attack. Harbhajan's two in one over before tea and three for India after tea meant that Australia had suffered heavy losses in the battle too early and would struggle hereafter to stay alive.
Final Act on Day Five; Another Skipper in the Dock
Australia were still in it but only just. Still trailing behind by 375 with five wickets in hand, the task before the Indians appeared more realistic. Zaheer Khan struck early including staying potentially on a hat trick as he broke Australia's slim hopes. The wicket of Brad Haddin, Cameron White and Brett Lee in succession only highlighted the discipline with which India have stuck to their task in contrast to their counterparts who were all over the place. The victory margin could not have been sweeter than 320 runs given that this was only the third time since 2000 that Australia actually conceded sucha huge innings deficit. Australia were undone by a team that played like a champion side. Dhoni's reward as Man of the Match was only the icing on the cake. The signs for India could not been been more indicative if the selectors can be more proactive.
If a skipper is only as good as his team, Ponting will feel even worse than Steve Waugh when the former captain had to bite the bullet on his farewell home series against India in 2003-'04. While Ponting still has some way to go as far as his international career is concerned, what could be in jeopardy is the pre-poning of change in captaincy. Tasmania's prolific batsman had come under pressure for his batting before this tour. But it may be his captaincy that may be questioned as well. Brett Lee was sparingly used while India were going hammer and tongs. Whether it was only because of the stitches on Lee's hand that forced Ponting to employ Hussey is subject to speculation. But the fact that his bowlers looked clueless and their field positions that allowed the Indians free runs in the offing is something Ponting will need to look at urgently if Australia are to claw their way back into the series before India's euphoria sees them reach great heights like it did in 2001.
Bindra Highlights Needs to Improve Spectator Facilities
They have been a forgotten lot. Sitting for hours in the scorching sun without a roof over their head and not a bottle of water allowed to be carried into the stadium. Thirsty and bereft of cover, they have often endured the elements and public forces for a glimpse to watch their favourite heroes in action. But now it appears, their voices have been heard and at least one man intends to do something about it.
Incidentally Mohali is one of the best cricketing grounds in the country that boasts of state-of-the-art facilities but only for VIP's. With the near empty stands that were on view at the same venue that is playing host to the ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat, it has been a disappointing turnout that does not bode well for Test cricket. The Indian sub continent, considered the Mecca for modern sport that is cricket, must also be the catalyst for revival of the game's most cherished and pristine version. While Test viewership has generally shown better results for television viewers, there is a need to bring in the crowds for the Test matches as well. After all, with the kind of cricket on view, it should not have been that hard in the first place. But that is poses a problem is something that needs addressing.
While the obvious discomfitures include getting to the ground and following security norms, the Punjab Cricket Association President, I.S. Bindra, realizes that there is much more to be done for crowds to be attracted enough to come watch Test cricket rather than just the IPL matches. With places such as Jalandar and Bathinda marked out for expansion plans in order to distribute matches, and the thought given keeping in mind the basic needs of the spectators, perhaps a revolution is on the cards with spectators, for a change, being given their due importance. As Bindra himself put it so aptly, "We have been short-changing the public [in most Indian grounds] so far, the public will start short-changing us unless we improve." Now if only more state associations took the cue…
©Sreelata S. Yellamrazu
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