India make the tight choice

It8217;s not often that you see two slips, point, short cover, cover, sweeper cover, third man and mid-off in operation at the same time. But with the bowlers inch-perfect in their bid to stifle the Australians, bowling nothing on the legs or even at the stumps, taking the entire on-side out of play, new India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni8217;s most defensive tactic as yet miraculously transformed into an offensive masterstroke.

By the time stumps were called, Australia had given Dhoni eight wickets for just 166 runs from 85.4 overs at a run-rate of 1.94, conceding a vital first-innings lead of 86. None of the batsmen was able to counter the Indian strategy, none had made an attempt to seize the initiative at any point during the day, as the Australians, once mighty, tamely allowed India to steal the advantage they had gained by their brisk scoring on Friday evening.

Early drop

Katich, on a high after his fluent unbeaten 92 overnight, would8217;ve liked to start the day in a similar vein but the going was tough right from the beginning as the sound of the bat hitting the ball was an intermittent treat. When Katich did get a touch, it was a very thin one, the Ishant Sharma delivery flying off his edge straight to first slip, where Rahul Dravid floored a simple chance, extending his poor form with the bat to the field as well.

There were hardly any chances after that over the next hour, either to score or to effect a dismissal, the proceedings starting to put viewers to sleep, and rile up experts. India8217;s plan to dry up the runs didn8217;t go down too well with some of the pundits of the game, and the criticism grew heavy as maiden overs went by until, all of a sudden, things started happening for the hosts.

Zaheer Khan, who bowled continuously until lunch, save for a change of ends, made the first breakthrough by getting a hint of reverse swing to trap Katich lbw soon after the opener had completed his fifth Test century. Pace partner Ishant Sharma added to Australia8217;s troubles shortly after the break with a delivery that shaped away perfectly, squaring Michael Clarke, inducing the edge, and falling safe into Dhoni8217;s gloves to make it 255 for four.

There was virtually no respite for Australia all day after that, batsmen failing to break out of the shell, runs coming only in a trickle, and wickets falling at regular intervals 8212; a couple due to poor strokes, one due to a brilliant, instinctive run-out by M Vijay at silly point, and some because the pressure was constantly building.

What if?

It8217;s easy to conjure up what-ifs at times like this, but the manner of Australian downfall did make one wonder whether things would8217;ve been different if their middle-order had contained a pair like Andrew Symonds and Adam Gilchrist.

Negative tactics, boring to watch and largely indefensible, are a part and parcel of Test cricket. The onus is also on the batsmen to force the bowling side to change their plans, especially in a situation like this where the visitors have no option but to go for a win.

If the Australian batters had gotten out trying to force the pace, their role in the ugliness on display could8217;ve been justified. But by playing into India8217;s hands, the argument that this side is un-Australian was perhaps never more legitimate than it was on Saturday.

With frontline paceman Brett Lee doubtful for Sunday because of a viral infection 8212; he had to be put on a drip in the morning due to recurrent nausea, and came in to bat at No 11 8212; the visitors now only have a tiny shot at redemption.

But whichever way this Test swings, India8217;s ultra-defensive strategy could have an impact on the way Test cricket is played from here on.