Ganguly’s men can now meet the Aussies on equal terms

Of course, the performance was not perfect. Certainly the bowling lacked the pinpoint accuracy detected in the iron play of Mr Tiger Woods or in the dart throwing of some pot-bellied and disconcertingly inebriated English pub ‘athlete’. But the bowling was fast and aggressive and the Australians were taken aback. Hitherto only the Indian batsmen and spinner had commanded respect. Now the fast bowlers were making the locals hop about. Hereafter they will be accepted as fair dinkum cricketers. The next step is an invitation to share a beer, a refreshment the Aussies regard as superior to lassi, sweet or sour.

Irfan Pathan led the way with another vigorous and fearless contribution. From the start of the tour this teenager has impressed as a competitor and as a bowler committed to taking wickets and with a range of deliveries at his disposal. Credit must be given to India’s selectors for including him in the party. Irfan can be erratic but he has pace and moves the ball around and never goes down without a fight. His batting will develop and before long he will be an important member of the side. His attitude has rubbed off on Agarkar and Ashish Nehra who used to tiptoe around the Australians, and their own abilities, and now confront both with increasing relish.

Nehra also played his part. Hitherto he has been inclined to coast whenever he has felt comfortable in the side. Now the competition for places is red hot and every game is significant. For once he did not bowl too full, instead hitting the pitch hard and summoning the best bouncer of the evening after an opponent had upset him.

Balaji improves with every match. Clearly he is settling down in the side and his confidence is growing. Balaji can cramp the batsmen with his inswingers and seems to keep his head in the heat of battle. Most particularly, he enjoys bowling to left-handers, pushing the ball across them in an attempt to induce an edge. Australia’s previously dominant opening pair have been contained, which puts pressure upon their successors.

In recent times, Anil Kumble has regularly been asked to bowl both at the start and end of an innings in an attempt to stem the flow of runs. It has been a waste and a condemnation of the faster bowlers. In Brisbane Ganguly was able to use his spinner in his rightful place in the middle of the innings and with proper protection. In the past its batting has carried India, but this fierce performance suggests that the bowlers hereafter intend to impose themselves.

Ganguly also captained the side with nerve and skill. Previously he has been forced to concentrate upon holding his side together as his opponents cut loose. Now he was able to think about tactics and field placements without constantly fearing the the dam was about to burst. His bowling changes indicated a leader on top of himself and his team. In the past Ganguly seemed to be a better captain off the field than on it, a leader in other words, a man capable of uniting a group of men of all ages, backgrounds and from all parts of the country, and not so much a tactician. His energetic effort in Queensland reminded observers how much captains depend on their bowlers.

Accordingly, India has a fighting chance of beating the Australians in the finals of this competition. Certainly Ganguly’s remarkable team will meet its opponents on equal terms. India’s batsmen have made an enormous impression upon the Australians on this tour, and Kumble’s praises have been sung. Perhaps the pacemen have been feeling left out. If so, they have responded in the best possible way, with a fiery performance on a fast wicket. It is not the end of the matter. But it is a beginning. Pretty soon India may have the balanced squad it has long yearned.

(Cricket News)