MUMBAI: The Australian media, in so many words, expressed as much its disappointment, as its astonishment over its team’s dismissal performance in the second Test against India at Mohali.
Rarely, if ever, have Australia suffered such a colossal defeat since they drew upon themselves the mantle of world champions. In terms of runs, they went down by an enormous 320-margin as India took a 1-0 led in the Test series, with two matches to go.
The writers, as much as the TV correspondents, kept on asking how a team which was in a position to pull off victory in the first Test, folded up without even the lightest hint of resistance. They, however, did not ask the question as to how the home team brought off such a remarkable turn around of form. If any team looked like champions right through the match, it was India.
Yes, the question indeed is to ask what brought about such a great wave of change in the outlook, attitude and performance of the Indian team?
The reason is not far to seek. The first big factor that made a great difference was the change in the leadership. The deadweight of Anil Kumble, as captain and bowler, was removed when the veteran spinner ruled himself unfit. Even though it was a last-minute decision and hardly conducive to drawing up of a proper plan of action for the new order, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, as captain, and Amit Mishra, as debutant leg-spinner, brought such a whiff of freshness that it enveloped the entire team.
In the first Test, Kumble’s tactics right from the start, were so defensive that it worked like millstones round the necks of those who were just raring to go. He and Harbhajan bowled long, monotonous spells even though they went for runs. The field setting too was too defensive. The whole approach appeared to be one of avoiding defeat rather than going out to win.
In contrast, Dhoni, ever so innovative, infused a new attacking spirit in every member of the team, the seniors no less. An intelligent reader of the match situation, Dhoni, led from front, both in front and behind the stumps. Not surprisingly, the fielding of the side too showed a vast improvement, not to mention the batting and the bowling.
Dhoni himself said after the match, “Everything went so perfectly for us.” That is because he made things happen and did not wait for minor miracles to happen. He believes that nothing is God sent and that you have to achieve it yourself. His captaincy reminded everyone of the manner in which he had won for India the first Twenty20 World Cup.
Those who still opine that the time has not yet come for Dhoni to take over the Test captaincy permanently, ought to have another think coming for them.
