A Sunday feast on cards at Motera

This absorbing, if not enthralling, Test match is set to go down to the wire tomorrow with many possible conclusions. Today, though, was a d...

This absorbing, if not enthralling, Test match is set to go down to the wire tomorrow with many possible conclusions. Today, though, was a day to forget for the Indian team, especially its spinners, and also for those who have laid out a pitch at Motera that rendered attacking cricket almost impossible.

Written off as spin fodder before the Test began, the Kiwi tail successfully avoided the follow-on by taming Harbhajan Singh and Anil Kumble in their own backyard, exposing their decline in what was once their forte. Indeed, after yet another sporting declaration by Saurav Ganguly, the tourists — 48 for 1 in their second innings, needing 322 more — find themselves in a position from where they can actually press for a victory.

India v New Zealand

Fourth Day, First Test, Sardar Patel Stadium (Ahmedabad)
Kiwis, overnight 282/8, needed 19 runs to avoid a follow on with Daniel Vettori (28) and Paul Wiseman (8) at crease
India First Innings 500 for 5 decl (159 overs)
(R Dravid 222, S Ganguly 100 no, VVS Laxman 64)

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But this Test is now wide open and scoring those runs on the fifth day on Sunday is not going to be easy. Still, with the wicket so far playing true to its foundation, the Kiwis with their batting depth can easily control the game, even if they lose a couple of quick wickets in the first session on Sunday and need to play out a draw.

If the Kiwis play positively and go for the chase, something India would be counting on especially as they did the same on Saturday to set a sporting target, they might end up throwing their wickets — like India in the second innings — and the match.

To get nine wickets on Sunday, though, Harbhajan Singh and Anil Kumble — the famed Indian spin duo — will have to come good, and they have not showed so much promise in the game yet.

Together the two spinners bowled 71 overs in the first innings, claiming four wickets between them — the same as Zaheer Khan did in 23 overs.

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The offie got appreciable turn, but he bowled too fast, sacrificing flight for speed, and in the end couldn’t get much purchase from the wicket. Kumble, though he was more economical and got one to spin and rear up to claim Mark Richardson in the second innings, was not penetrative enough in the first against a batting order whose primary aim was to avoid the follow-on.

Kumble might yet be effective tomorrow against batsmen willing to chase a target, but India will soon have to find more spinners to protect their reputation in the department. The scene is bleak, though, with not too many knocking on the door.

Ganguly opened the bowling on Saturday, with New Zealand needing 19 runs to avoid a follow-on and two wickets in hand, with Kumble from the far end and Vettori glanced him first ball to the fine leg fence, which almost completely took the pressure off them, and they not only inched past the 301-mark, but went on to score 340 in reply to India’s first innings total of 500.

The Indian batsmen entertained a larger crowd than on the previous days with some big hitting, especially Rahul Dravid who missed out a good chance to follow up his double century in the first innings with with a century in the second but he gave in to the need of the hour.

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Facts and figures

• Sachin Tendulkar became the first Indian batsman to complete 1000 runs against New Zealand.
• Zaheer Khan recorded the best bowling performance against New Zealand at home by taking 4/68
• Rahul Dravid (73) scored his 29th half century in the 120th innings of his 70th Test match.
• Daniel Vettori completed 1000 runs in Test cricket.
— S Pervez Qaiser

Gameplan: Options ahead on Day 5

It seems to be Advantage India, but only if Saurav Ganguly gets his plan right. He needs to utilise all his resources tomorrow to get nine wickets; that would mean a long spell for himself and the use of Tendulkar when the two specialist spinners tire. Harbhajan Singh needs to be patient, bowl slower, use more flight to get better purchase from the wicket.

Ganguly must attack from the beginning, placing close-in fielders in catching position. Tomorrow will also be the day he has to show he’s a leader, not merely a captain. That means ensuring shoulders don’t droop when the going gets tough, keeping his cool, inspiring his team.

Since the Kiwis have wickets in hand skipper Stephen Fleming can afford to plan the chase. The predictable plot would be keep the scoreboard ticking a hour before tea and then go for the final assault if there are wickets in hand.

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