No cracks in this cracking unit

India is shining all right, but to be fair to the current crop of cricketers, the shine’s been there for the past three-four years. Everything is clicking. It’s a great batting line-up that gets cracking on any track and against any attack. Sometimes, all of them strike form together, and when that doesn’t happen, then some of them do well enough to pile up a substantial total. What happens then is that the average bowling attack has a fair total to defend, and attack the opposition, which is already burdened under the pressure of all those runs.

And more often than not, the bowlers don’t fail. They really put their heart in attacking the opposition. They don’t look bored or disheartened even on placid wickets. The team earlier had only one matchwinner in Anil Kumble. I have never seen Anil give less than 100 per cent on the pitch. He also adapts himself according to the set of players he plays with. Between 1992 and 1996, I saw him bowling only fast legbreaks with great accuracy. Now he is a changed bowler. He has developed a googly, started flighting the ball and most importantly, he can now bowl round the wicket too.

Yes, now we have another matchwinner in Irfan Pathan. He can swing the ball late, bowls yorkers and bouncers and can change the pace with deception. Like Sehwag, who plays his natural game irrespective of the situation, if Pathan can remain honest to himself and play his natural game he can continue for the Indian team for a long time.

This team is no doubt playing as a single unit. There is no jealousy or hatred in their midst. The youngsters are being encouraged and guided by seniors without any fear that they would take over from them one of these days. They have also become very aggressive. This is the way Aussies play . Rahul also marshaled his resources extremely well. But despite Rahul’s success as captain, the credit for building this team and transforming them into a great fighting unit goes to Saurav, and I am sure the players are aware that Rahul will not be contesting for the captain’s spot, and once Saurav’s back, it’s be the same again.