Yorked!!! – By Chetan Narula.
Surprise!!! Surprise!!!
Much to the chagrin of the South African captain Graeme Smith (and of the South African cricket fans alike), India won the first test at Johannesbourg by a big margin of 123 runs. Yes the same Indian team which was traumatized 4-0 in the ODIs.
Same team, yes, save a few minor changes. Like the return of the old guard under Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman to the batting order giving it that look of invincibility again. Atleast on paper. Another change was in the form of self belief which was lacking in the one day series. A young fast bowler from Kerala broke the shackles of that mauling and taught the South Africans a less or two in their own teachings.
It all began with India winning the toss for the first time on this tour. Bright omens you would say. Brave decision I say. For again the openers were back in no time. Sehwag especially needs to find a new excuse now. Then Tendulkar and Dravid strung up a partnership for the third wicket which I would say was going to prove very crucial for India’s fortunes in the match. Sachin for once was batting again like the prodigy we knew him to be. Getting behind the ball and playing some delightful strokes off both the front and the back foot
But the real grit and determination was displayed by none other than our own “Dada”. It is not the runs he scored but the manner in which he scored them is what would identify this as Sourav Ganguly’s third coming. India ended at 249, a somewhat respectful score after the ODIs debacle. The stage was then set for a stylish south Indian bowler.
No other words can describe what transpired. South Africa were skittled out for 84 as Sresaanth mesmerized them with swing and pace on a lively wicket. How could the Indians score so much when the home side faltered. Simple answer is sticking to the basics of line and length. Sreesanth did more. He pitched the ball up rather than bowling short most of the time which Pollock and co. were guilty of.
The second Indian essay was again effective thanks mainly to the efforts of Laxman who showed how to bat on the two paced Wanderers wicket. He was ably supported by Zaheer who struck some lusty blows near the end. Zaheer has really enjoyed his time on this tour. India set South Africa 402 to chase down. In doing so they set up the first Indian test win on the Proteas soil.
And when finally they did get it, there was more joy than relief. For they had been playing quite well up to this tour, it was just the results which were not coming. This win will go a long way in resurrecting the belief which was completely lost by this team.
The match however, belonged to only one individual in spite of the team effort visible. S. Sreeanth has now indeed come a long way although he has not played even 10 tests. Bowling well in the Caribbean and then being dropped for the Champions trophy was a bitter blow. But the way he has shaped up on recall can only give heart to the likes of Zaheer and Ganguly, both playing superbly well on their respective comebacks. But it was Sreesanth’s match and nobody can take it from him. That audacious six of Andre Nel and the ensuing (by now) famous jig have further ensured that.
Rest assured the Proteas will come back very hard at the Indians in Durban and Cape Town. There is no other option. Otherwise Graeme Smith and co. will find no place to hide. Atleast not in South Africa.
Surprise!!! Surprise!!!
Much to the chagrin of the South African captain Graeme Smith (and of the South African cricket fans alike), India won the first test at Johannesbourg by a big margin of 123 runs. Yes the same Indian team which was traumatized 4-0 in the ODIs.
Same team, yes, save a few minor changes. Like the return of the old guard under Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman to the batting order giving it that look of invincibility again. Atleast on paper. Another change was in the form of self belief which was lacking in the one day series. A young fast bowler from Kerala broke the shackles of that mauling and taught the South Africans a less or two in their own teachings.
It all began with India winning the toss for the first time on this tour. Bright omens you would say. Brave decision I say. For again the openers were back in no time. Sehwag especially needs to find a new excuse now. Then Tendulkar and Dravid strung up a partnership for the third wicket which I would say was going to prove very crucial for India’s fortunes in the match. Sachin for once was batting again like the prodigy we knew him to be. Getting behind the ball and playing some delightful strokes off both the front and the back foot
But the real grit and determination was displayed by none other than our own “Dada”. It is not the runs he scored but the manner in which he scored them is what would identify this as Sourav Ganguly’s third coming. India ended at 249, a somewhat respectful score after the ODIs debacle. The stage was then set for a stylish south Indian bowler.
No other words can describe what transpired. South Africa were skittled out for 84 as Sresaanth mesmerized them with swing and pace on a lively wicket. How could the Indians score so much when the home side faltered. Simple answer is sticking to the basics of line and length. Sreesanth did more. He pitched the ball up rather than bowling short most of the time which Pollock and co. were guilty of.
The second Indian essay was again effective thanks mainly to the efforts of Laxman who showed how to bat on the two paced Wanderers wicket. He was ably supported by Zaheer who struck some lusty blows near the end. Zaheer has really enjoyed his time on this tour. India set South Africa 402 to chase down. In doing so they set up the first Indian test win on the Proteas soil.
And when finally they did get it, there was more joy than relief. For they had been playing quite well up to this tour, it was just the results which were not coming. This win will go a long way in resurrecting the belief which was completely lost by this team.
The match however, belonged to only one individual in spite of the team effort visible. S. Sreeanth has now indeed come a long way although he has not played even 10 tests. Bowling well in the Caribbean and then being dropped for the Champions trophy was a bitter blow. But the way he has shaped up on recall can only give heart to the likes of Zaheer and Ganguly, both playing superbly well on their respective comebacks. But it was Sreesanth’s match and nobody can take it from him. That audacious six of Andre Nel and the ensuing (by now) famous jig have further ensured that.
Rest assured the Proteas will come back very hard at the Indians in Durban and Cape Town. There is no other option. Otherwise Graeme Smith and co. will find no place to hide. Atleast not in South Africa.
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