Chopra looks good, Zaheer was superb

All this goes to show the physical and mental demands of Test cricket, and the importance of the toss going into this match. Knowing the wicket was to be flat and slow and likely to turn later in the match, batting first was a must-do. And in picking two spinners, the New Zealand side clearly showed its hand.

This was exposed a little when India won the toss. The New Zealand plan was clear with the new ball, bowl short and intimidate. In hindsight, I think the team will rethink this strategy. Regardless of how flat or slow the wicket, I believe the new ball must always be pitched up, giving an opportunity for three modes of dismissals: LBW, bowled or caught behind.

The bouncer is a hugely important weapon but I think should be used sparingly early, with perhaps a short-pitch strategy as a second or third resort.

Debutante Chopra looks a good future prospect for India. I thought he batted extremely well and never looked like getting out. He will be disappointed in his dismissal, but was undone by an excellent piece of deception from Vettori in the first innings.

I thought Sourav let himself down a little by running down the middle of the wicket. I can accept that on occasions batsmen will do this unintentionally. However this definitely looked like a tactic to rough up the wicket. I thought it was a little disappointing, especially from a captain. With the quality of spinners he has at his disposal, I wouldn’t think he would need to do that.

What I did enjoy was the gamesmanship between big Daryl Tuffey and Parthiv Patel. Tuffey fired up with some good short-pitched bowling, and Parthiv had a few words to say. For a young man Parthiv shows plenty of guts and character. He’s definitely a future star for India. Will he have as much to say on the hard bouncy wickets in Australia?

Zaheer Khan bowled superbly, keeping the ball up to the batsmen. On the seaming wickets in New Zealand, Zaheer bowled exceptionally well and took that confidence in to the World Cup, where he performed superbly. Without Srinath or Nehra, Zaheer has taken the mantle of India’s number one strike bowler admirably. His first spell turned the test completely in favour of India. Seeing the state of the pitch, the sweat pouring off the bowlers, and the great stroke-play from the Indians, it makes watching on TV a little easier! (Cricket News)