No need to mourn, match showed India on top, Aussies fading

Once the Indians are able to field a full-strength team they can move to the top of the rankings, a position they have not held since the World Cup was won twenty years ago.

Clearly, the Australians are a fading force because their bowling has lost its cutting edge. Actually, some of the Aussies trundlers might as well have been wearing dentures at the SCG. No longer can the Aussies attack relentlessly throughout the 50 overs, setting tight fields and forcing batsmen to concentrate upon defence. No longer can the batsmen take risks confident that the bowlers can repair any damage. Nothing lasts for ever.

Not that India’s team is without fault. Hard thinking needs to be done about the pace attack. By and large the best one-day bowlers have been tall because these fellows can extract the bounce that prevents batsmen hitting through the line. Unfortunately India’s opening pair in Sydney were small chaps and Adam Gilchrist was able to cart them around. Frankly India may need to choose between these slimline youngsters and to play Balaji and Nehra in support.

Nehra showed signs of life in Brisbane and bowls well when he remembers to hit the pitch hard or feels under pressure to protect his position. He has the height and pace needed to push the batsmen back and now it is a matter of proving that he has the brains and heart to match his abilities.

Balaji is a natural one-day bowler who has impressed the Australians by moving the ball around in a manner that has been hard to read. He seems happy bowling to left-handers, not that anyone actually enjoys bowling to Gilchrist as it resembles tossing marshmallows onto a fire. Accordingly, it might be worth giving him the new ball against the Aussies.

Pathan has been the find of the tour but he is still a boy and is bound to suffer from the exuberance of youth. Nevertheless he has a spirit that must be encouraged, a desire to have an impact upon the game. He does not hide, does not think or act scared and has the skill — though not yet the experience — needed to put his intentions into practice.

Spirit has been the cornerstone of this team. Of course the older players deserve more credit than even the youngsters. No touring party has arrived with a more impressive bunch of senior men. They have scored runs and taken wickets and their refusal to surrender has served as an inspiration to the novices. Australia defines itself with a baggy green cap that must not be betrayed. Although lacking an equivalent, the Indians have matched their opponents in every way, on the field and off it.

The players mix together in the evenings and play a cheerful version of volleyball before every game. The sight of the entire party laughing about some dispute in these jovial encounters confirms that Ganguly is not nearly as aloof as the Australians had supposed. It’s just that he does not dance to their tune any more than did Sunil Gavaskar.

India can win the trophy. The fuss about Rahul Dravid is a minor distraction that will soon be forgotten. India must not fall into the old trap of imagining itself victimised. Protesting is a waste of time. Dravid was caught red or rather yellow-handed — the referee could not have acted otherwise.

Throughout the tour India has been able to move forwards. Ganguly and his men must focus their entire energies upon beating the Australians. Neither Dravid or his captain can allow this small incident to fester. India has come a long way and with shrewd selection further progress can be made. Now is not the time to stumble.