It was a heart-warming sight for Indian cricket lovers to see captain Rahul Dravid with his hands aloft after the winning runs were scored to level the series. The South African captain Graeme Smith had done similarly in the previous game at the Eden Gardens and was no doubt hoping to repeat it in Bombay. He was let down by one of his senior players, who strangely with all the experience that he has, just didn’t seem to want to get a move on. It was only after former captain, Shaun Pollock came and hit a huge six and a couple of boundaries and then went and had a word, did Jacques Kallis stir himself and look for the big hits that would have taken his side closer to 250 and thus present a bigger challenge to the Indians than 221 did. That South Africa had four wickets in hand when it’s quota of overs ran out shows that there was a huge miscalculation somewhere. Kallis didn’t look very pleased to be out in the 90s but at least he got out trying a big shot.
The pitch at the Wankhede Stadium was perhaps the best in the two one-day series we have seen. There was enough in it for the bowlers, with the pacers able to get good carry to the wicketkeeper and there was just a hint of turn with some bounce for the spinners. It was a pitch with just the right balance for batsmen and bowlers and Sudhir Naik needs to be congratulated for preparing such a wicket. If more such wickets are made for domestic cricket, then the selectors will get a better idea of the skill and temperament of domestic players. Most pitches in India are either a dream for batsmen or a nightmare for them.
South Africa would have done with another start from their captain but Dravid had found out that Smith has a habit of scooping the ball up in the air when it is fired at his feet. After his dismissal, the South Africans were on the backfoot and seemed frozen when Harbhajan came on to bowl. The off-spinner may not have wickets to show for his splendid efforts but he was the pick of the Indian bowlers and to be able to bowl at less than 4 runs an over, tells you what a hold he had on the batsmen. Added to that was his fielding where he was a live wire on the boundary and came up with a stupendous catch to break the Kallis - Boucher partnership. India’s outcricket was a joy to watch with Yuvraj in particular like a jack in the box being everywhere. The three new-ball bowlers Agarkar, Pathan and R.P.Singh also showed their arms to restrict the South Africans from taking the extra run.
Gautam Gambhir has got the best job in the Indian team. He doesn’t have to field but just go out and bat. After his altercation with Nel, the Proteas were at him from all sides. India saw another No. 3 in Sehwag but after a brilliant cameo he too fell after flattering to deceive. Tendulkar was obviously conscious that he had not contributed in the series so far and he was watchful for the most part till a memorable catch got him out.
India’s in-form batsman, Yuvraj Singh’s wicket was the one the South Africans wanted quickly but in the company of his captain he ensured that there was no chink left. Dravid was ‘captain cool’ with determination lit large on his face. The South Africans didn’t help their cause missing catches at vital times though their ground fielding gave little away.
The presentation of the awards at the end of the match showed Rahul Dravid at his best as he thanked all the Indian supporters throughout the two series. He has been on the ball out in the middle with his bowling changes and field deployment, which helps in winning over the opposition but it’s the off the field that he is truly the big winner getting the crowds to come and support his team in huge numbers.
