Opening blues for Indians in whites

As covers were finally lifted — after three and-a-half days of the rain-marred opening Test — the focus shifted from the outfield to the 22-yards in the centre. As Chaminda Vaas’ first ball skidded to the wicketkeeper it was clear that the one-and-a-half-day dead Test would be played on a lifeless pitch — slow, low and two-paced. It was a type of track that aggressive Indian openers — Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir — wouldn’t have liked to bat on after their agonising long wait. Sehwag knew that patience was the key, but that’s one quality he isn’t quite known for. It was clear that the man who smashed the first ball he faced — in the opening Test of the series on an unexplored track — to the fence wasn’t quite keen to test the waters.

His average of 31 in the recently concluded ODI series against the same opponents didn’t quite make him circumspect as between those extravagant strokes edges flew dangerously close to the fielders. He was finally out for 36 — an innings very similar to those various frustratingly quick cameos he has played in the shorter version lately. If one thought that Tests would change things, it was not the case.

This also meant an opportunity to get his rhythm back after the rainy days against the opponent he will be facing in the coming days was missed. With the result too ruled out it was worth putting his head down for a serious practise session.

But Sehwag gave two reasons for this approach. ‘‘For an opener it is very irritating to sit out for three and-a-half days, not knowing when the call for bat will come. Plus I knew that with the SG Test ball it is only the first seven-eight overs that one can score freely. Later with the reverse swing coming into to play and wicket two paced scoring was supposed to get tougher,’’ he says.

While the part about the frustrating wait was justified, the second reason wasn’t convincing. Later in the day Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar showed the way to bat on this surface. Rahul took 13 balls and Tendulkar 12 to score their first runs. For Sehwag it was a first-ball four. Scoring shots: Rahul 3 from 95 balls, Sachin none from 69 balls while Sehwag had 7 from 28 balls.

While we are repeatedly reminded about Sehwag’s carefree, aggressive and treating the ball on merit batting theory but plans need to be changed if things are not going well. The Sri Lankan batsman Mahela Jayawardene — another purist in the Dravid-Tendulkar vein — too reminded the need for caution on this kind of surface. ‘‘It is a surface that is not conducive for strokeplay. One needs to stick around, wait for the loose ball and take maximum advantage of the scoring opportunities,’’ he said.

Sehwag also gave the bowler’s point of view on the surface. ‘‘There is not much in the wicket for the bowlers. It is tough for them to get wickets,’’ he says. Not really if the batsman are in mood to distribute early Christmas gifts.

BRIGHT SPOTS IN THE SHADE

The chances of getting a result are as bright as the sun was on the first three days of the first Test. Yet, there are bright spots Indians can look ahead to and examine

Tendulkar’s 35th ton

His 69-balls 11 not out today proved that Tendulkar has planned another long outing at the MA Chidambaram. Sehwag informed about the patience trick on this surface, and Tendulkar looks in no hurry at all. His 35th ton will see him go past Sunil Gavaskar to be the man to have maximum Test centuries in the history of the game. With Lara going past Allan Border as the highest run-getter and Tendulkar in striking distance of Gavaskar, the record books might see another significant change tomorrow.

Moment of truth for Ganguly

His body language at nets today gave a glimpse of how desperate Sourav Ganguly was to do well in this reportedly do-or-die game. As the team waited for the start of play, he went upto just-appointed national selector Sanjay Jagdale and shook his hands and exchanged pleasantries. Expected to bat at No. 6, Ganguly walked to the pitch after the game and stood there in the middle practising his shots. A perfect setting for him: Test dead, pitch dead and enough time on hand to cement his position in the side.

Dhoni’s Test debut

Ask MS Dhoni for an interview and he says nothing before he is actually a Test old. Expected to bat after Ganguly, Dhoni had a long session at nets after the game. Dhoni’s success as a Test player will play a big role in Chappell’s plan. As the sun faded, there stood Chappell — along with selector Jagadale — keenly observing Dhoni doing his batting drills. RP Singh, Harbhajan Singh then tested Dhoni on the practice pitch. An aggressive batsman at No.7 will go a long way in multiplying the options for Chappell. — SD