A payback in style!!!

By: Venkatachalam. A. Krishnan

This was published in CRICKETNEXT.COM on Friday, March 14, 2003 - The day of India's win over New Zealand in the Super Six stage.

http://www.cricketnext.com/yoursay/krishnan/krishnan9.html
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After India’s match against Kenya, I had pointed out that, Saurav Ganguly became the first player to score two hundreds this world cup albeit against bowlers who did not have the pace to test him. I had also hoped that he had realized that his place is well and truly in the middle order when the ball is softer. Obviously, he has NOT realized it and he paid the price for it against New Zealand in the super six encounter of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2003 in South Africa. Ganguly just was not good enough to stand against the firepower of Shane Bond.

Earlier Sehwag, who deserves a few raps on his knuckles, threw away his wicket playing a horrible shot and soon after Ganguly’s departure, Tendulkar had a rush of blood and could not resist an uppish shot, this after having already hit three boundaries in that over. The pressure on India increased manifold because of the early loss of wickets and they made rough weather of the small target set for them to win the match. It all boils down to being FLEXIBLE according to the demands of the conditions. The situation today needed a Rahul Dravid or Mohammad Kaif to be there in the middle at number 3.

Some sensible Cricket from Mohammad Kaif and Rahul Dravid ensured that there were no further hiccups. They chose the bad balls to hit and played the better ball with just the right respect. They rotated the strike at will and never allowed any bowler to settle down.

Kaif proved his value to the team today with his amazing fielding as well as his lightning-quick running between the wickets. He has a cool head on his shoulders. He produced yet another match-winning innings today under pressure. He was not flustered even when Macmillain tried to spoil his concentration with a few choice words. One need not be a professional lip-reader to decipher what he said. The TV cameras were good enough.

In the process, India has most certainly eliminated New Zealand from the tournament. They were beaten hollow by New Zealand earlier this year and they have paid back for the same in kind.

Earlier in the day, when New Zealand batted, Zaheer Khan breathed fire. He was unfortunate to have been overlooked by Ganguly before completing his bowling quota. He had taken four wickets in eight overs and he deserved a chance to go for what could easily have been a career-first five-wicket haul.

Overall, it was a good day for the Indians. After the early hiccups in this tournament, they have now aquitted themselves well winning seven matches in a row. They are expected to easily win the eighth one too – against Kenya in the semi final. And, for the ninth, they may have to overcome Australia.

That will be the true test of character for the Indians!!!