India’s form prompts memories of ‘85

The only loss so far has come in the second match, against Australia, after a shaky start to the tournament in which they beat Holland.

What has also helped India is that the team is coming together at the right time, players finding their touch in ones and twos so that there’s always someone in form.

Just like, dare we mention it, the Australians. And it’s this peaking at the right time that makes India favourites to beat Sri Lanka, though the odds would point to an India defeat.

The first lesson they would have learnt from yesterday’s match is that they can get out of a hole, however deep, they have dug themselves into. If people are willing to stand up and counted, as they were yesterday.

Much has been written — rightly so — about Saurav Ganguly’s innings but mention must also be made of Harbhajan Singh, who finally found himself among the wickets.

Under unfavourable weather and pitch condition the Indian skipper played a knock which brought to mind the resoluteness of Stephen Fleming. An English writer sitting alongside was prompted to say that it was ‘‘a Steve Waugh knock.’’

The only worry at this stage has been the continuing inability of Virender Sehwag to convert a blitzkrieg into a full-fledged offensive. Sehwag’s modes of dismissal have presented a depressing scenario.

Twice caught behind the stumps playing the drive, one uppish cut and another mistimed pull are not the strokes he promised after scoring two tons in that desperately tough tour of of New Zealand.

The other worry is Dinesh Mongia, who’s been hiding at No.7 and it remains to be seen if in times of trouble he will be able of deliver.

For every door closing there’s one that opens, however, and in walks Yuvraj Singh, the batting revelation of the tournament. His strokes and power were there for all to see; if only he can make the new-found maturity a permanent part of his game — sticking around and seeing India home, as he’s twice done under unstable conditions.

Kaif’s knock against Pakistan too showed that the Indians have taken turns in playing in lifting the team. And with Sachin Tendulkar deciding to play the fulcrum the Indian team has a aura around it which is hard to miss for their rivals.