India did win their first game against England and thus made a good start to the campaign to win the Champions Trophy, but it wasn’t the kind of convincing victory that boosts the confidence. Indeed the labored way they reached the none too daunting target has given England more hopes than if they had been beaten by 8 wickets or so. A win is a win, so this is not a grouse, but if India have to be a champion side, then they have to win as ruthlessly as the Australians do today and as the West Indies team did in the late 70s to early 90s. The manner of their wins used to make other teams feel inadequate and when that happens, then half the battle is won even before a ball is bowled.
What was pleasing to see, was Irfan Pathan get his rhythm back and get the movement that has made him such a danger to openers round the world. He got the big wicket of the England skipper Andrew Flintoff for a zero and also had Strauss caught in the slips by one that moved and jumped as well. His partner Munaf Patel continues to improve and impress and he richly deserved his first man of the match award.
His line is pretty similar to Glen McGrath and like the great Aussie, he is not a big mover of the ball but very accurate and so if the batsman misses, then he has a good chance of getting the leg before wicket verdict in his favor. Hopefully there won’t be too many telling him to add to his pace or to his repertoire, for the latter is bound to come with experience and it’s better not to confuse him with too much theory when he is doing the job asked of him.
Playing two spinners against England always makes sense, as they aren’t too comfortable against the spinning ball and with one or two exceptions don’t use their feet to tackle it. That’s why it was crucial for Flintoff to have stayed as also Pietersen, as both are not only big hitters but also use their feet well against the turning ball. Harbhajan and Powar rang rings round the flat-footed batsmen and England were dismissed with 13 overs of the innings still left. Harbhajan and Powar playing together, brings out the best in them and it’s a treat to see them operate.
India’s batsmen with the exception of Tendulkar and Yuvraj did not use the opportunity of batting without the pressure of a big asking rate and did themselves no favors by getting out in the manner they did. Irfan Pathan was sent at No. 3 once again, when Dravid who didn’t fire in Malaysia could have done with more time in the middle. The two best No. 3 batsmen in the world are Rahul Dravid and Ricky Ponting and there’s not a remote chance of Ponting dropping himself down the order, whatever the circumstances.
If Pathan is being sent as a pinch hitter, then his scoring rate does not justify it, as it is hardly a run a ball which is why pinch-hitters are sent. In this game, it was in the 50’s, which is not why he is being sent above Dravid, Yuvraj and the other regular batsmen. Why Mongia was not picked is also a mystery, since he would be confident after his innings against the Aussies and if he stays on the bench it will be that much harder to recapture the rhythm he had there.
India now have to win just one more game to get into the semis and that’s a good position to be in, irrespective of the nature of the win.
