BOMBAY, 22 October 2003 — Reviewing a drawn Test series, especially a two-Test series is not the easiest of tasks. A two-Test series just does not excite the viewer, for there is every possibility of it being a one-win-each series and it leaves both teams and followers wanting more. Players of both teams are just warming to their task and may not be at their best so it does leave both players and followers a bit let down, for a two-Test series really does not show which side is better. New Zealand of course proved they were far superior to the Indians in New Zealand by winning both the Tests with relative ease. India on the other hand did not even look like winning a Test when New Zealand returned the visit and if cold statistics are to go by then the scorecard shows four Tests played and New Zealand winning 2-0 including the series in New Zealand of course.
India went to New Zealand after playing a one-day series against West Indies, which they lost. In New Zealand they were confronted by some seamer-friendly pitches, which required not just good technique but mental fortitude as well. Sadly, while the pitches can be the excuse for the technique being exposed and here one has to say that even the best batsman would have struggled to bat on the first days there, the mental aspect was even more shockingly absent.
India’s quest for revenge was not helped by the choice of their eleven. In India with the batting lineup they have, it makes more sense to pick five bowlers. On Indian pitches, the batting should not really be troubled but the heat and humidity can take the toll of the best of bowlers and so it is far better to pick an extra bowler than an extra batsman. In Ahmedabad, it was clearly seen that the bowlers who tried magnificently were tired and could have done with some help, which came in the form of non-regular bowlers like Sehwag and Tendulkar. But what was needed was not a relief bowler but a wicket-taking one. Even the fittest of bowlers find their shoulders and fingers hurting after long spells in hot and humid conditions. Bringing Sehwag on only releases the pressure created by Kumble and Harbhajan and though it can lead to slackening of concentration and careless shot-selection, it did not happen with the Kiwis here. The visitors had come mentally prepared to guts it out and though their captain Fleming did not score too many, the other seniors chipped in to ensure the side was carried to safety.
The plusses for New Zealand was the maturing of Lou Vincent into a batsman who can curb his natural attacking instinct to play a waiting game. He showed that his wicket had to be earned which is not what can be said about the Indian batsmen. The comeback of McMillan is another gain for New Zealand for this highly combative player also displayed a tough-as-nails attitude when New Zealand looked in some danger in the Ahmedabad Test. Astle has always been a class act and his century was a well-crafted one. On the bowling front, Tuffey and Vettori were the pick of the bowlers with Vettori bowling in a manner that would have done Bishen Bedi proud. The flight, the loop and the quicker delivery were all there allied to an immaculate length to tie up Indian batsmen who have made Shane Warne look ordinary. Tuffey coped with difficult conditions very well and even Sehwag was not able to collar him. Butler has the pace and can only get better with more experience. The only minus for New Zealand was the keeping of Robbie Hart who looked out of his depth, missing some simple catches and generally looking untidy even in his gathering of throws from the deep.
India’s positives were the batting of Akash Chopra. The most impressive of his attributes were a still head and minimum movement before the ball was bowled. He was then either forward or back depending on the length of the ball and was rarely hurried into playing them.
He makes the ideal partner for the swashbuckling Sehwag who is unstoppable when he gets going. VVS Laxman was another major plus for India and he made batting look easy even when India were under pressure. Dravid and Ganguly had their moments too, with Dravid compiling a fine double ton in the first Test.
New Zealand have done what the world champs Australia have not been able to do and that is to draw a series in India.
