Monday, March 9, 2009

Amaze India ... always

Indian cricket never ceases to amaze me. It may be for its sheer brilliance, or for the heart and passion, or for the ability to make a contest out of nothing. Yes, you read the last part correctly and it was not something I misquoted. In recent years the Indian ‘Men In Blue’ Juggernaut has not only grown in size and respect but also set out to reinvigorate its troubled image. Indians are historically believed to be lazy and mediocre ground fielders and not good in running between wickets. Well with the current influx of young and hard-working talent the scenario is entirely different. Not only can we boast of some of the best outfielders in the current cricket fraternity but also some of the quickest runners between wickets. These issues, however basic they might seem, form the base for reaching excellence on field. There are many other aspects which have been new to Indian Cricket in recent years.

But still we struggle for enough spark in the bowling to clean up the tail and finish off the match when need arises. This was evident on Sunday, when the New Zealand’s 9th wicket partnership of 83 runs scared the hell out of the team as well as their fans (yours truly). The scare was nowhere in sight when Butler became the 8th wicket to fall, as it was a question of ‘when’s India gonna win it’ rather than ‘who’s gonna win it?’ The match was in India’s control and it was steam rolling through the opponent. It seemed that this would be a rather disappointing end to McCullum’s 1st match in-charge, after a really promising start from the Black Cap’s openers. But without Ishant Sharma and with out-of-form Zaheer, Indian bowling lacks the bite needed to scare off batsmen and give in to hostility.

Then on Kyle Mills and new boy Tim Southee started plundering the bowling attack from Praveen and Munaf. They not only scored runs, but scored them in style. Munaf in particular was dealt severely and was treated with some huge sixes. So much so that Munaf struggled with pressure and bowled two high beamers in an over, to be eventually removed from the attack. Actually this was a blessing in disguise for India as Yusuf came in to replace him and quickly dismissed the dangerous (funny word to be used for a tail ending batsman) Kyle Mills. Mills had scored 54 from 32 balls with 3 huge sixes. And to add to the fun, the reaction from Zaheer Khan (who completed the catch to dismiss Mills) said it all. He was overjoyed and aggressive at the same time relieved. He threw the ball hard into the ground, pumped his fists and shouted abuses at a departing Mills. That was really hilarious to watch as it seemed India had picked up the wicket of the great Sir Don Bradman, that too on a duck. The joy and relief was evident on all the members which makes us realize that they were struggling on the field at that point of time. In the end, the match as a whole was a fun to watch for an Indian or neutral supporter. Maybe the viewer would have lost interest midway through the New Zealand innings when India had almost cleared off the home side. But the way Mills-Southee partnership brought the equation – 142 runs from 72 balls to – 59 runs from 30 balls was a treat for one and all.

Earlier in the day, Indian batting was a lesson on good clean hitting and can be used even for baseball techniques. Little Master was so ever so close to get highest runs in an innings, but was denied by his fragile aging physique. If successful, this record would have been the most cherished among all his feats as he would surpass a Pakistani to it.

I would like to thank the brilliant Indian team for not only winning the match but doing so after giving all the entertainment and getting every viewers invested money & time worth every moment.

It’s you and only you who care!!

--- FOREVER YOURS FAN


Pics courtesy www.cricinfo.com