Even before writing anything about the Indian batting and the bowling that they had to face, the question that will be uppermost in the minds of all cricket watchers will be, where did this Pakistan team learn fielding. Sure, Asim Kamal and Salman Butt took top catches but the ground fielding and catching of the others was worse than a schoolboys’ team. It is never easy to dismiss a strong batting line-up like India and then to give them more than one bite of the cherry is asking for trouble and that’s what the Pakistanis got. They let off Virender Sehwag no less than four times and every single opportunity was catchable by any standards. It was as if the Pakistani fingers were greasy with the Punjabi ghee that they would apply on the rotis, so easily did the ball slip through them.
Though they have pulled the game back somewhat by dismissing the top Indian batsmen, they have conceded a lead and with Laxman still there and the ball turning as Kaneria showed, it is crucial for them to ensure that India does not take a 200 plus lead. It will allow Ganguly the scope to keep fielders in catching positions all through and not worry about the boundaries. Mind you, if the Indians had kept a third-man, then Pakistan would not have got to 300 in the first innings, but India’s fascination for the gully does not fade and though he gets to stop the odd ball, that fielder would be better off at third-man saving the boundaries in another game. A gully fielder is essential if the bowlers have pace, for then the ball can go off the splice of the bat or if there’s a bowler who has a good out-swinger, then again a drive can go to gully as Tendulkar’s and Dravid’s did. Now in the Pakistan second innings it won’t really matter, for India will have a good cushion of runs, not to worry about the fours to third-man.
Pakistan too were guilty of not protecting the boundaries and Sehwag was able to thrash his way around with another big century. His strike-rate for centuries is remarkable and the frequency also is most commendable and should make all those doubters think again. He has not only got the shots to dazzle everybody but also has as straight-batted a defense, off both front and back-foot, to impress the classicists. When he bats the fielding side has a forlorn look about it as even good deliveries are belted away for boundaries. He thrives in the company of Dravid for the latter’s calm, unhurried methods give him just the confidence he needs to go for the unorthodox shots. With Tendulkar, one gets the impression Sehwag is trying to outdo his hero and so then looks more vulnerable than at any other stage of the innings. Pakistan tried the short ball theory against him on the third day but found that in modern cricket with its limitation of two bouncers per over, it doesn’t work. The bowlers will have to be patient with Sehwag and not look to attack him for he counter attacks even more brilliantly.
Tendulkar looked set for a century from the moment he unfurled his favorite straight drive. There was also one flick past mid-wicket, off the back foot, which is an incredibly difficult shot to play but he did it with ease and with it also dispelled any worries about his elbow. It was refreshing to see him bat the way he did, for it showed an eagerness to score and dominate.
Kaneria was the pick of the Pakistan bowlers and if ever Pakistan put up a big total in the series, India will have to watch out for him for if he can get the ball to turn and bounce as he did on a good batting strip like at Mohali, it would be a cinch for him to do so at Eden Gardens and Bangalore. But yes, the Pakistanis will have to learn catching before that!
