LONDON, 13 September — It was an incredible coincidence but the last day of the final Test at the Oval was exactly like the final day at Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica.
The only difference was that India lost the game and the series in Jamaica while at the Oval everybody including the players would have been actually thankful for the rains saved all from what could have been a boring final day.
At least India came back with a drawn series overseas, something which hasn’t happened recently in a three or more matches series.
That loss at Jamaica still rankles, for India lost the series with it as well and it hurts even more because the players knew that rain was in the air and still did not try to put their lives on the line for their country.
The game had in fact been delayed by half an hour due to rain, so there was all the more reason for the players to have made a special effort so that the series would have been drawn and not lost.
One wonders whether they felt any sense of loss for with the schedule being so tight and hectic, the easiest thing is for people to forget the previous game and series as another one begins.
But as the old saying goes, those who forget the past are apt to repeat the mistakes of the past.
The win in the one-day series that followed certainly made people forget the lack of application that caused that Jamaica defeat.
It was application that helped India to surmount difficult conditions at Leeds to put up a huge total and go on to win the game and level the series.
If Sanjay Bangar and Rahul Dravid had not batted with courage and determination and wonderful shot selection, India could have been in serious trouble and it was that partnership that helped the later batsmen as the conditions improved the next day.
Luckily that was recognized by just about everybody and credit given to the duo, which has not always been the case.
One says this because in spite of Rahul Dravid’s stupendous double century at the Oval with the next highest score being 54 there are some who are finding fault with it and saying that because he wasn’t able to change gears India could not get the chance to win the game.
To this, one can only respond by asking a counter question as to how many matches has the Indian team won overseas due to the stroke players blazing away to personal glory but little success for the team.
And yes, if solid players like Dravid are accused of not being able to up the gear to get the side to a winning position, then again a counter question as to how many of the stroke players can lower gears to play a match-saving innings?
To try and take credit away from a truly selfless player just to ensure that he is not recognized as India’s most dependable batsman shows ‘chamchagiri’ (sycophancy) at its best.
In fact it might actually be an eye opener to find out how many times the so called defensive batsmen have cost India match-winning opportunities overseas and how many times the stroke players have won games for India with no early help or foundation from the very same defensive batsmen.
Yes the eyes will pop at the result. I genuinely felt sorry for him when he was dismissed in the only way it looked possible, a run out, when he was four runs short of my mark.
If ever a player deserved to be the highest scorer for India overseas it was him for he also had two centuries in the series earlier and was remarkably consistent.
The selfless nature of the man came to the fore again when he responded to Ratra’s call for a single even after a misfield but it does bring into question Ratra’s temperament. He should have sacrificed his wicket but did not.
Remember how Ratra stopped the ball from falling on to the stumps when Stewart attempted a sweep in the Lord’s Test and lobbed the ball up in the air.
The experienced English pro even patted Ratra on the shoulder to thank him for preventing him from losing his wicket but that is one thanks that the young wicketkeeper wouldn’t want.
He is young and committed but he has to think fast on his feet, else he will find his place taken up by someone even younger than him.
Speaking of competition for places, the one-day team for the ICC Champions Trophy has the same look about it with the exception of the newcomer J.P. Yadav who had good ‘A’ tours to South Africa and Sri Lanka.
Obviously with the contract issue being so much in the news and the relief that was felt after it was resolved the inclusion of some of the non-performers has been overlooked in the general euphoria of the top players being available.
India has the makings of a top one-day side and the fielding of the youngsters, Yuvraj and Kaif along with their batting skills is a big plus and that’s why it is a surprise to see some of the ‘scooters’ in the side still retaining their places.
The need of the hour is for runs saved on the field and with most teams having that advantage over India, even our aim should be to have players who will make a contribution in the field with their fielding even if they may not always be able to do so with the bat and the ball. One-day cricket is all about athleticism and agility.
Therefore, if a player is not an agile fielder then he should not be an automatic selection. The World Cup is still a few months away and there are a couple of series before that which will hopefully be used to get the best combination for India that will make it a serious contender for the biggest prize in world cricket, the World Cup. (Professional Management Group)
