Alas, all that adulation for Dwayne Bravo and the spirit of the Caribbean is seeming misplaced. Chasing a gettable Indian total and at 170-2, Windies (or for that matter any side would have) looked like clinching another win and making it an embarrassing 0-2 for M/s Dhoni. But it was not to be. Some reckless batting (the usual Calypso style of batting we are used to seeing in the post-Vivian Richards-Greenidge-Haynes era) and tight spin bowling led to one of the more famous wins Team India has had in recent times. The Windies batsman were in a mood to leave early for some hot party in some nook of Gurgaon perhaps !!
The fact that India clawed back into the game is something Dhoni would be proud of, albeit in front of the home crowd against a team they are fancied to win against in all formats these days. After all, India are the defending World Champs. Nevetheless, this will give India (read Dhoni) the confidence in his team's abilities to come out, and come out victorious, from tight and seemingly dead-duck situations.
The fact that India clawed back into the game is something Dhoni would be proud of, albeit in front of the home crowd against a team they are fancied to win against in all formats these days. After all, India are the defending World Champs. Nevetheless, this will give India (read Dhoni) the confidence in his team's abilities to come out, and come out victorious, from tight and seemingly dead-duck situations.
For the Windies, Dwayne Smith proved his class with a promising innings. Smith is a much improved cricketer (read batsman) from the days when he burst on to the scene as a bowling allrounder who could tonk the ball a long way. Those days (2003-2007), he used to bat at 7 or 8, and ended up getting out often, trying to hit out of the ground without any notable contributions in the dying moments of the match. Something what an Andre Russel or a Darren Sammy is supposed to deliver today. The IPL has surely resurrected his game and career. Not only has be looked dangerous and destructive, but has looked to stay at the crease, avoid getting out and hence pile on the misery for the opposition. Quite unlike most West Indian openers from the 90s and the last decade. I wish he had found his mojo a tad earlier. He is no longer in his twenties (He will be 32 in April next year), and the Windies might need him for a long time if they have to build a strong side around him and some others. He should be a force in the coming seasons and a key asset for the Windies in the upcoming World Cup. I personally believe that a side whose Openers are in the form of their lives, lend guaranteed success to their sides chances in all formats and conditions.
That is why I feel a Smith and a fit Gayle will be a deadly combination in the coming seasons. Only the Indians and perhaps the Aussies are the other teams to match the duo in terms of what they have to offer these days at the top of the order.
India tested out Umesh Yadav, probably to examine his form and fitness, and explore options for the tour Down Under. Umesh was decent with his pace, but was overshadowed by Shami Ahmed.
Shami Ahmed with his new found vigor after a long tour to England is refreshing to watch. Maybe his marriage in 2014 to the beautiful Hasin Jahan has helped !! His jadedness has vanished !!
After making his First Class debut for Assam in 2010 he has come a long way within 4 years. Not only has he leapfrogged every one else in the race (including the man he had replaced to get his first break in to the Playing XI - fellow Bengal quickie Ashok Dinda), but also surprised every one with his pace and wicket taking abilities. He is deceptively potent. Genial demeanor, but he is at you all the time. He is quietly confident about his abilities, and so is the team management including MSD.
Indian fans would have also heaved a sigh of relief to see Virat Kohli back among the runs, even if it was not his fluent best. Only if he had got a hundred, he and the fans would have declared him back in form. Such is his legacy over the last few years. He has averaged more than 47 in One Day Internationals since 2010. This means he is almost likely to score a half century every time he comes to bat !! In 2011, 2012 and 2013 he has perhaps averaged even more than 50. He and MSD would know, these averages mean nothing if you do not win matches. But arguably, India has been on top of the rankings and on the winning ledge of ODI games thanks largely to Virat Kohli's seamless and prolific batting in the last 2-3 years. He is 'The' Wicket for the opposition these days. If he scores a ton, India win hands down. Lets wish, he rediscovers his hundred scoring form before or during the World Cup. An ominous sign for all opponents.
Well now that India has won, this series is level 1-1, and India has the all important momentum. Seems unlikely they would squander it in the series now. I do not reckon the Windies stand any chance in the next duel. But then, this is Cricket !
India tested out Umesh Yadav, probably to examine his form and fitness, and explore options for the tour Down Under. Umesh was decent with his pace, but was overshadowed by Shami Ahmed.
Indian fans would have also heaved a sigh of relief to see Virat Kohli back among the runs, even if it was not his fluent best. Only if he had got a hundred, he and the fans would have declared him back in form. Such is his legacy over the last few years. He has averaged more than 47 in One Day Internationals since 2010. This means he is almost likely to score a half century every time he comes to bat !! In 2011, 2012 and 2013 he has perhaps averaged even more than 50. He and MSD would know, these averages mean nothing if you do not win matches. But arguably, India has been on top of the rankings and on the winning ledge of ODI games thanks largely to Virat Kohli's seamless and prolific batting in the last 2-3 years. He is 'The' Wicket for the opposition these days. If he scores a ton, India win hands down. Lets wish, he rediscovers his hundred scoring form before or during the World Cup. An ominous sign for all opponents.
Well now that India has won, this series is level 1-1, and India has the all important momentum. Seems unlikely they would squander it in the series now. I do not reckon the Windies stand any chance in the next duel. But then, this is Cricket !
No comments:
Post a Comment