It was sweet, wasn't it? A win against the Aussies, espescially in Australia, is always worth remembering. It took me by no surprise that the win was achieved in Melbourne after a long gap of 21 years. After all, India doesn't win, or better said, haven't won many matches abroad. But I was really surprised to know that the win-loss ratio of Aus against India at Melbourne stands at 6-5 only- very acceptable to the Indians- after this match. And I used to consider MCG to be amongst the worst venues as per the results for the Indians. During my viewing career, Indians have recieved a sound thrasing here in the Test and ODI matches, not to mention the recent drubbing in the T20 International. But they had excellent record here in the eighties. Hope today's match breaks the hoodoo of nineties.
Coming back to the match, I have rarely seen India's new ball bowlers operating at more than 140 kms/hr on a consistent basis. More importantly, they were consistent and always looked lethal. Most of India's misery in the past has been due to the lack of quality bowling. Though batting remains spectators' delight, it is the bowling which wins the game more often than not. The champion sides, viz. West Indies of yore, current Australian team, beacame a nearly unbeatable force due to their bowling alone. It also explains why India, despite having a great batting unit over the years, have been very ordinary with the wins. So, it was almost surreal and greatly satisfying to see the Indian bowlers being all over the Aussies today. Also, it was not a one-off good show. The Indian bowling has been doing really well in the last few years, bringing in more victories as a result.
I didn't have a very high opinion of Ishant Sharma. I had thought him to be another precocious talent thrown into the international arena after a few domestic matches only. Also the initial look of his play didn't inspire much confidence. But buoy...hasn't he learnt? He looks good to be counted amongst the best in future, provided he too doesn't fall the way many others before him fell into. Let his praise be an inspiring one, not an adulating one.
India's batting was once again centered on Sachin Tendulkar's show. It's surprising how often India has risen and fallen with Tendulkar. I am unshamedly biased towards Tendulkar, but two of his shots, the first lightning straight drive in particular, off Brett Lee will remain etched in my memory for long. It went away faster than it came. It came, by the way, at more than 150 kms/hr. Another batsman, Rohit Sharma, too deserves some space. I don't know why but he, so often, resembles Tendulkar in many ways. May be because of his easy stance or the copybook cover-drives. Also he is 20 years old only. Comaprisons with bigger names can be daunting, so he must be provided ample time and opportunities to fill their shoes.
To sum it up, today was Sharmas' day, one shining with the bat and another with the ball. I wonder how often if the balance between bat and ball is achieved, the result takes care of itself. So, I believe India should go with an extra bowler at the expense of a batsman in the subsequent matches, and more importantly, with the same winning attitude, for more than anything else, it is their desire which will guide their performance on any given day.
Coming back to the match, I have rarely seen India's new ball bowlers operating at more than 140 kms/hr on a consistent basis. More importantly, they were consistent and always looked lethal. Most of India's misery in the past has been due to the lack of quality bowling. Though batting remains spectators' delight, it is the bowling which wins the game more often than not. The champion sides, viz. West Indies of yore, current Australian team, beacame a nearly unbeatable force due to their bowling alone. It also explains why India, despite having a great batting unit over the years, have been very ordinary with the wins. So, it was almost surreal and greatly satisfying to see the Indian bowlers being all over the Aussies today. Also, it was not a one-off good show. The Indian bowling has been doing really well in the last few years, bringing in more victories as a result.
I didn't have a very high opinion of Ishant Sharma. I had thought him to be another precocious talent thrown into the international arena after a few domestic matches only. Also the initial look of his play didn't inspire much confidence. But buoy...hasn't he learnt? He looks good to be counted amongst the best in future, provided he too doesn't fall the way many others before him fell into. Let his praise be an inspiring one, not an adulating one.
India's batting was once again centered on Sachin Tendulkar's show. It's surprising how often India has risen and fallen with Tendulkar. I am unshamedly biased towards Tendulkar, but two of his shots, the first lightning straight drive in particular, off Brett Lee will remain etched in my memory for long. It went away faster than it came. It came, by the way, at more than 150 kms/hr. Another batsman, Rohit Sharma, too deserves some space. I don't know why but he, so often, resembles Tendulkar in many ways. May be because of his easy stance or the copybook cover-drives. Also he is 20 years old only. Comaprisons with bigger names can be daunting, so he must be provided ample time and opportunities to fill their shoes.
To sum it up, today was Sharmas' day, one shining with the bat and another with the ball. I wonder how often if the balance between bat and ball is achieved, the result takes care of itself. So, I believe India should go with an extra bowler at the expense of a batsman in the subsequent matches, and more importantly, with the same winning attitude, for more than anything else, it is their desire which will guide their performance on any given day.
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