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Journalism of Courage
As the Test commenced on Thursday, the Indians lined up for the national anthem, hands wrapped tightly around the next man8217;s back, suggesting each man was connected to the other, bonded by hip and hand like a bunch of Siamese twins. After wickets fall, they seem to be pulled together by some magnetic force into a huddle; there is no chanting of mantras, merely a voicing of solidarity, a declaration of support.
Spirit is never a substitute for skill, fortitude by itself no compensation for an inadequate arsenal but, without it, India will be laid bare in Australia. On this tour all manner of indignities will be heaped on them on the field and, without a collective resilience, they will not just be defeated but left despairing.
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Nevertheless, some riposte was required, some proof of worthiness and, on Friday, though the rain allowed only 16 overs, it was enough for India to produce a statement of dazzling intent. In the first session of 5.4 overs, India took 3-13; in the second session of 10.2 overs it took 4-48. Australia, which was 2-262 on the first day, crumpled to 9-323.
Midway through the day, in the bowels of the stadium, Rahul Dravid echoed his team8217;s philosophy. 8216;8216;I think we8217;re learning how to bounce back, to have bad days but still come out and keep at it. I think that8217;s why we8217;ve won Tests abroad. We8217;re no longer just being overcome by the problem, we are focusing on the solution8217;8217;.
The game, of course, knows no master; one day it is cruel, the next ineffably kind. On Thursday, LBW shouts were studiously ignored by unimpressed umpires and a wonderful catch taken off a no ball, and the Indians no doubt cursed the Gods and muttered darkly about karma. But yesterday it was Australia who felt the fates were conspiring against them.
Steve Waugh and Damien Martyn provided a triumph of miscommunication with Waugh running three and Martyn two, resulting in both of them at the same end and neither pleased. Waugh was the one to stay, but not for long. With Zaheer intent on leaving his calling card on his ribs, the Australian captain clumsily fended the ball down leg, just past Parthiv Patel. All looked fairly routine, till an alert Indian noticed a fallen bail: the captain had trod on his stumps. The crowd groaned at his duck, the Indians war-danced.
Wickets tumbled faster than Australia would have liked or India hoped, Adam Gilchrist going for a duck, Andy Bichel 11, Simon Katich 16, Jason Gillespie 8, a procession longer than those on Kolkata streets. The Indian step was lighter, as if suddenly rid of the lead weight of anxiety; fielders flung themselves around like amateur acrobats, balls were chased down with the glee of a guard dog tracking down a postman, and Laxman8217;s hands calmly folded, as if in prayer, over every catch that came his way.
Agarkar was sharper and straighter and Zaheer, completing his third five-wicket Test haul, ensured the ball obeyed his every command. He found a line, discovered a length, and did not stray too much from it, bowling with a rhythmic and pleasing fury. Later, he said coolly, 8216;8216;Fast bowling is all about consistency, about bowling in the right areas8217;8217; as if he had suddenly unlocked some mystery to the universe.
Of course, only those who find their future in tea leaves will read too much into India8217;s sudden spurt of success. After all, Australia still holds this Test by scruff of its neck, perhaps only its grip is a trifle looser. On this wicket, under these conditions, 323 is formidable.
India will soon find itself at the crease and if Greg Chappell, a walking manual on technique, had his way, he would instruct them as follows: 8216;8216;Look to be positive, don8217;t look to survive8217;8217;. India will do better if it opts for purpose over hope. Not only must overs be sternly weathered, but runs scored. No doubt Gillespie and Bracken will have them smelling leather but, as Chappell said: 8216;8216;If you worry so much about the short ball you commit to the backfoot, which reduces the options. You can8217;t hit half-volleys, miss scoring opportunities and that increases pressure.8217;8217;
India8217;s bowlers produced their version of a redemption song yesterday; now its batsmen must hit some high notes themselves.
