For the West Indies it was anti-climactic as the curtain came down with a crushing defeat for the regional team in one of the most exciting cricket series ever played in the Caribbean. We had almost come to expect that the 4th and final Test between these two closely matched teams in this keenly contested series would come down to the last ball on the fifth and final day with the last pair at the wicket and the match poised to go either way. But for India the storybook ending to a hard fought series came early, at the very end of Day 3 culminating with a historic win which clinched a Test series in the West Indies for them for the first time in 35 years.
The thrill of victory was evident as the winners, most of whom were not even born when the India of Sunil Gavaskar, and Venkatraghavan, and Ajit Wadekar, and Gundappa Vishwanath last won a series in the West Indies back in 1971. That time it was a win by 7 wickets in the 2nd Test in Trinidad and Tobago which gave them a one-nil triumph. Meanwhile, as the sun westered in repose at Sabina Park, and the dark shadows lengthened across this storied sward, the agony of defeat was etched on the countenances of the faithful who had held out hope to the bitter end, that their heroes would send them home on a high note. But that would be on another day, at another time, in another series.
Yet as the victors celebrate, the vanquished on this day need not hang their heads for they were not outclassed merely outplayed in the grand finale. And lest we forget, just a few short weeks ago the Windies convincingly won the One-Day International series over a particularly potent and highly ranked Indian Limited Over team.
So there need not be recriminations after this painful loss, only a re-affirmation of the commitment of the players and officials to do better, and a re-dedication to the pursuit of excellence as a team, mindful of the fact that the only place that ‘success comes before work is in the dictionary’.
In my view, the tour although late in the Caribbean season, none-the-less lived up to the highest tradition of India-West Indies cricket. As articulated by the man-of-the-series India’s captain Rahul Dravid, the team was warmly welcomed and well accommodated throughout the tour, and needless to say were beneficiaries of the legendary Caribbean hospitality. The cricket was of the highest standard and as in all India-West Indies series, the rivalry brought out the best in each member of the squads. And most importantly the series was contested in the spirit of the game.
Dravid was shrewd in his leadership, and as throughout his career, he exemplified the class of the greatest Indian batsmen of all time. Ultimately it was his inspired leadership by example that propelled his talented team to emerge triumphant. Anil Kumble used his considerable experience to great advantage and contributed significantly to the success of his team — as did the prolific Virender Sehwag and his opening partner Wasim Jaffer. The youthful Munaf Patel and partner Sreesanth in their contrasting demeanor handled their bowling assignments with requisite passion and could represent India for many years to come. And though hit man Mahendra Singh Dhoni only once set the Caribbean on fire, his wicketkeeping was of the highest standard. A word of praise should also go to Greg Chappell and his entire coaching staff for their very good preparation of the team.
West Indies captain Brian Lara though not in his best batting form on this tour, produced a magnificent game-saving century at St. Lucia. And he led his young charges admirably. The team was highly motivated and manifested immeasurable passion and commitment in achieving success over a more seasoned opponent.
Chris Gayle, Darren Ganga, and Ramnaresh Sarwan reached great heights on this tour. Chanderpaul appears to be approaching his old form and Dwayne Bravo could be a fixture with the Windies for a long time. Pacers Jerome Taylor and Corey Collymore were often outstanding. And the West Indies fortunes in the Test series might have turned on the tour-ending hamstring injury to the pacy Fidel Edwards. As for the spinners, the hope is that we have not seen the last of left arm spinner Dave Mohammed as well as the likes of all-rounder Omari Banks.
Keen observers across the region would agree that some of the pitch preparation on this tour was appalling. In my opinion Test matches should not be played at venues that are currently under renovation. It tends to impede proper preparation of the facility for such a major event. Indeed pitch preparation throughout the West Indies for all international matches, ODI’s and Test matches should be closely monitored by the respective local authority as well as the West Indies Cricket Board. All in all it was an absorbing series. Let’s do it again.
