In the two Tests played so far, the Kiwis have come out none the worse, if not better in many ways, to draw the matches and force the third and the last game to be the decider. The selectors had plans to try out some experiments, in anticipation of a series win. But now they will have to see that the Indian team puts its best foot forward. And they have a real problem to assemble the best combination.
There are no gallantry awards in cricket. If there were, than the present New Zealand team ought be conferred the same. After having such a lean season and soon after being mauled 0-4 in the ODi series by Bangladesh, few gave them any chance against India. But what one saw was a remarkable transformation.
In the first Test at Ahmedabad, India were indeed lucky to salvage a draw and that through the rare batting achievement of the side's leading bowler Harbhajan Singh. The Turbanator's ambition of scoring a Test century could not have come at a better time.
In the second Test at Hyderabad, it was the turn of New Zealand to fight back and how well they did it and achieved an honorable draw. While the Kiwis can gloss over the performance of their young players. along with the leading lights like Jesse Ryder and Brendon McCullam. It was a great team effort.
On the other hand, India's problems were once again exposed. For a top Test team in the world, India at the moment has a very ordinary bowling attack. The lop-sided composition of the playing eleven and concealed injuries are adding to this main problem.
The dogmatic approach to go high on batting and low on bowling resources has been the main cause of the team's inability to dismiss their opponents twice to win a Test. At Hyderabad, New Zealand managed to take almost 800 runs off the Indian bowling on the aggregate and were not even bowled out twice.
As usual, India went in with four specialist bowlers instead of five. Their problems were compounded when Zaheer Khan once again pulled up lame in the second innings with his old groin injury. Of the three effective bowlers, Sreesanth was terribly wayward and Harbhajan way below his usual form. R. Ashwin of Tamil Nadu is a better off-spinner today. But now, no one dare drop Harbhajan after scoring two back-to-back centuries.
If Harbhajan's batting prowess is to be recognized, then all the more reason to include five bowlers in the next Test. To make that possible, skipper Dhoni will have to take a hard decision of dropping either Rahul Dravid or Suresh Raina. The interest of the team should be above that of individuals.
