The confidence in the Indian camp was there for everyone to see and admire in the final One-Day International at Karachi. It seems as if every member of the side has turned his back on negative thinking. It was this self-assurance that enabled them to ask Sachin Tendulkar and Irfan Pathan to take a break.
I know there are several people out there who have labeled Mahendra Singh Dhoni a ‘slogger’, but I completely disagree. He showed in his remarkable innings in the Karachi one-dayer that he is a very talented and canny batsman. He batted according to the demands of the situation, and let himself go at just the right time. Yuvraj Singh was outstanding yet again. Never did they get desperate at any stage, and I guess they would have kept telling each other that they would achieve any target as long as they had wickets in hand.
Pakistan lost the game and series because they didn’t do what Dhoni did — play according to the situation. They got carried away after the win at Peshawar, and seemed to believe that they could beat India like they did last year. They failed to take into account the fact that the Indians had improved since last year’s one-day series.
The fielding was the major difference between the two sides. I haven’t seen an Indian team field as well as the current side did in the last two one-dayers. On the other hand, the Pakistani fielding was dreadful.
Youngsters like R.P. Singh and Sreesanth have proved their capabilities, and they should be persevered with for a long time. They displayed the same temperament that the young Kapil Dev had when he toured Pakistan with the Indian team in 1978-79. The BCCI should not let these boys suffer the same fate as Balaji and Nehra, who did pretty well on the last tour, but are nowhere in the picture today. In fact, I believe that countries like India and Pakistan, whose cricketing infrastructure isn’t as sound as some other countries, should create a pool of 6-7 quick bowlers, who should then be looked after.
It is not right to discard young pacemen altogether after a couple of ordinary performances, which are in any case inevitable in a game like cricket. Instead, they should be kept ‘around’ the team, and made to practice with the regulars. This will ensure that they don’t feel neglected, and at the same time, feel a part of the team. This in turn will increase their confidence and their bowling will automatically improve. The presence of quality ‘back-up’ bowlers will also keep the bowlers in the main squad on their toes. This will lead to better cricket and better results.
I firmly believe that the best time to learn is when you are on top. The Indians should not relax just because they have won the one-day series, for it doesn’t take too long in cricket to stumble and tumble. You need to be on your guard all the time.
I congratulate Rahul Dravid and his side for giving such a fine account of themselves on the tour. They batted fairly well in the Tests, although the bowling didn’t click. But it clicked in the One-Day Internationals on unhelpful tracks. I would also like to thank them and the BCCI for agreeing to play at Karachi. The cricket-lovers of Karachi are immensely grateful to them. That India figured in a Test and one-dayer at Karachi without any hassle should open the eyes of the cricketing world.
Well-done India!!!
