English aggression too much for India
India saved its face on the last day at Lord's but could not save its skin. Redemption arrived too late and indeed painted a false picture of a match dominated by an aggressive home team. India did not play well till the contest was over and the sweeping up had begun. Nor must the visiting elders allow complacency to creep into their thinking, for it was the four days that told the story and not the final chapter.
Rather than dwelling upon the documented frailties of this Indian side it is, perhaps, time to give credit to their opponents. England played well and did everything in its power to make life hard for the Indians, and especially the touring batsmen. Ganguly and chums had hoped that a strong batting line-up might score heavily enough to keep the team in the contest.
Instead the Vindaloos [Indians] had to fight for every run except at the very beginning and end of its two innings. India could not find the right tempo for a Test match. Torn between cutting loose in the style seen in the 50-over series and grafting in the manner of traditional Test cricket, the tourists coughed and spluttered their way to doom. Virender Sehwag played brilliantly on that second evening only to get carried away just before stumps. His dismissal was followed by the removal of a laughably incompetent night-watchman, a combination that allowed England to take a grip that never slackened.
Sachin, on the other hand, tried so hard to be diligent, doggedly defending his wicket as the bombardment continued. He is at a most interesting point in his cricketing life and seems to be struggling to find an identity, now that thought has replaced instinct in his game. He is between cast-off youth and maturity and is enduring a period of introspection as he chooses his path. In time he will grow a thicker skin and quietly tell the world and all its pundits to go to Hades.
Amongst the rest, only Rahul Dravid and Very, Very Special Laxman batted with aplomb. Dravid is a much tougher cricketer these days and showed himself in an impressive light. Laxman has been worrying his admirers with his patchy performances, but at Lord's, his game and mind seemed to be in good order. He is a commanding player and has a strong presence at the crease. England did bowl well and did not stop pressing for wickets. Of course, it helps to have runs on the board and a rest between innings, but it was an aggressive effort by the hosts and the Indians were given few moments to relax.
Matthew Hoggard stood out with his swingers whilst Flintoff and Jones harried the batsmen with their lifters. Even Giles found some spin whilst Craig White could not be taken lightly. India could not muster anything like the same hostility and did not look dangerous once the ball had lost its shine.
India's defeat was caused at least as much by weak bowling as by irresolute batting. Now come some big decisions for the Indian party -- Ratra had a bad match and must give way. Probably it is too much to ask Dravid to keep wickets and bat at 5, and his glove-work is not good enough for this task -- a thousand pities for what an all-rounder he could be!
Accordingly, Parthiv Patel must play despite his inexperience. India has had problems with this position and the balance of its side ever since Nayan Mongia went into the shadows. Ajit Agarkar is another tricky puzzle for the selectors. He is a popular young man and fought back valiantly from a dispiriting start to the Test to end with his head held high and a Lord's hundred to his name.
Full praise to him for this brave fightback. Lesser men would have lost heart. But Agarkar fills a bowling position and must take wickets. At present this seems beyond him though this might change if the clouds return. Certainly, he is an eventful fellow whose fortunes swing wildly, possibly because he allows things to happen to him and has not developed the knack of controlling his fate by living within fixed parameters.
Harsh as it may sound, but unless Agarkar takes wickets he is not worth his place. Selectors constantly face difficulties of this sort, and cannot run for cover. On the other hand there is no sense in replacing a bowler capable of scoring runs unless the newcomer can take wickets. Frankly, it is doubtful whether Harbhajan would have been threatening. After all, Anil Kumble had to pay a price for his wickets as he persevered with his slower style of bowling.
India needs to find another dangerous paceman or else must hope for more sunshine and a spinners' pitch next time around. Ganguly has one further problem and that is himself. He was unlucky in the second innings because the ball clearly landed outside leg-stump. Nonetheless, he was not entirely convincing and must now put his head down as he tries to rebuild the confidence of his team.
It is not over yet. India fell behind against the Aussies not so long ago and managed to win the series. But, then, that was at home and the ball was turning and not bouncing too high.
Also read:
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