India get stuck in their spin web

However, the figures that will give Rahul Dravid some worries are the ones in the bowling analysis of Kumble’s (67 runs from 10 overs), Ramesh Powar (57 runs from 10 overs), S Sreesanth (67 runs from 8.4 overs). Making it a forgettable day for them was their abject surrender with the bat that saw India lose their last seven wickets for a mere 36 runs. But before raising questions about the bowlers, objectivity demands the mention of the 127-run stand between two world-class performers Brian Lara (88 from 85 balls) and Marlon Samuels (98 from 95 balls) in 127 balls.

Lara, besides the satisfaction of getting into the groove despite sitting out a game, will relish the sight of the scoreboard. Samuels proved that despite the absence of Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Ramnaresh Sarwan in the line-up and Chris Gayle’s first-ball duck he had it in him to play a match-winner role. His delight was double since his second-string bowler Dwayne Bravo proved to be the man of moment after the new bowlers had suffered the early Robin Uthappa assault. Bravo’s 4/39 was his best ever bowling performance and it played a big role in restricting India to 268, after they threatened to go beyond 300.

As a silver lining, a few doubts were also cleared for India as they prepared for the Caribbean trip. Ajit Agarkar’s inspired spell of 10-0-45-3 meant he became the main contender to share the new ball with Zaheer Khan. Sachin Tendulkar’s 60 off 66 balls meant the former opener was comfortable in the middle order. Uthappa’s early blitzkrieg gave more options at the top.

But the biggest headache for India will be the performance of their spinners. On a helpful Cuttack track they had seemed unplayable, but things were different here. Kumble doesn’t quite pick himself automatically for the World Cup squad, nor does Powar. As the bandwagon moves to Baroda they will hope the conditions favour them and, more importantly, the West Indian batsmen aren’t in a murderous mood.
Marlon Samuels
A good knock was long overdue from Marlon Samuels — a batsman who was considered the best non-performing support act in the four-prong West Indian batting line up. It was his fielding and the faith of skipper Lara that kept him in the team despite a string of failures in the limited version of the game. The almost run-a-ball 98 (off 95 balls) at Chennai will not only boost Samuels confidence but also bolster his chances of making it to the Windies squad for the World Cup.