Not just another Test

If for once Indian skipper MS Dhoni and his men,who have the series and their No.1 ranking on the line,get over the pitch-paranoia,there will be enough feel-good factors around them when they take the field for the second Test on Sunday. For starters,this happens to be the last year of a decade in which India hasn’t lost a five-day game at Kolkata. India’s journey into the new millennium at Eden mirrors the team’s gradual rise on the international cricket ladder.

From being the maverick team in 2001 that played out of their skins to stop the Steve Waugh-led Australia’s march to the present lot who are facing the next best team in the world,it’s all about Team India attempting to be globally perceived as the unquestionable No.1 side.

The fact that mid-way through their climb,they defeated South Africa at the same venue in 2004 is another plus that might find mention in the think tank’s pre-match pep talk.

As if PC Sorcar had his hand in it,in the past the Eden Gardens has seen the Indian team’s magical metamorphosis from a depressed bunch to a champion side. In 2001,the hosts had turned the tide against the Aussies days after they were written off following the annihilation in Mumbai. Against the Proteas in 2004,India were coming off an uninspiring draw.

That’s when Harbhajan Singh,who had returned the uninspiring figures of four wickets in 60 overs in the Kanpur Test,came up with a Man-of-the-Match winning effort of seven wickets from 30 overs in the second innings at the Eden Gardens.

For the team in general and Harbhajan in particular,another miracle is needed in Kolkata. On the eve of final Test,India were busy in search for men who could draw inspiration from the past and change the fortunes of the team in this series.

Dhoni seemed reluctant to change the long-standing template of playing seven batsmen and four bowlers. “We have always been comfortable with four bowlers because it has worked for us. If you have an all-rounder in the side that makes it very easy,but we don’t have that option,” he said.

Three seamers likely
Going by the endless hours the Indian team had spent gazing at the green patches on the pitch,it seems likely that they might consider playing three pacers,including Sreesanth,and a lone spinner in Harbhajan.

“There is a bit of grass on the wicket so I think the seamers will get a bit of help. There is no stands on one side of the ground,so you can see a bit of breeze going across the field so there will be a bit of help for the seamers,” Dhoni said,adding that reverse swing,too,will play a big role in the game.

With Dale Steyn and Paul Harris being the best pacer and spinner,respectively,from the previous game,the South Africans weren’t quite worried about the nature of the pitch. Playing a game of football in front of empty stands,they seemed like a team with few worries. The real test for them will be on Sunday when they enter the highly-charged Eden arena.

To be the best in the world,South Africa wouldn’t have to just face 11 men in the opposition ranks,but many more in the stands too.

Stat Pack
India vs South africa
* Out of the 35 Test matches played at the Eden Gardens,India have won eight matches,while they have lost the same number and drawn 19 Tests.

* India and South Africa have played twice at the Eden Gardens,which the hosts have won once and lost the other time. South Africa beat India by 329 runs in November ’96,while India defeated the Proteas by eight wickets in November ’04.

* 657/7 dec. is the highest score for any team on the ground,by India in the second Test against Australia in March ’01.

* VVS Laxman has scored the most numbers of runs (898 in eight matches) and Anil Kumble has the most wickets with 40 in four matches.

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