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When it comes to individual milestones,Indian batsmen are like decorated war heroes.

Written by Sandeep Dwivedi

Wellington | April 4, 2009 01:54 AM IST

4 min read

When it comes to individual milestones,Indian batsmen are like decorated war heroes. If hundreds and fifties were medals,many in the line-up would need a couple of body doubles to display their glitter. Every time these players have walked onto the field during this series,the public address system has announced their achievements,and the locals not quite used to such numbers being associated with their own players have dropped their jaws in disbelief.

In the four innings so far in the series,Indias top seven have scored 1,323 runs but somehow the magnitude of this effort hasnt translated into a corresponding increase in their personal milestones. Its a strange series in which the side trailing has more tons against its name.

While India have just three centuries from Sachin Tendulkar,VVS Laxman and Gautam Gambhir,the Kiwis have four hundreds and a double. For India,the players have been consistent but have missed statistical landmarks quite contrary to how things usually go for them.

Missing the trick

Over the series,three 40s,three 60s,a couple of 70s and an 80 have bucked the usual conversion rate,and the line-up with 106 tons and 195 half-centuries between them seems to have somehow missed a trick on this tour. Even on Friday,all the Indian batsmen fell after playing themselves in.

Despite losing the toss and put in to bat on Friday,the Indian players seemed to be in the zone,triggering heavy expectations in the stands. On a pitch that finally provided the platform for swings first appearance of the series,the early hours were uncomfortable. But all the top-four batsmen saw through the difficult period before failing to build on the platform they had laboriously prepared.

When Virender Sehwag is batting on 48,with the total 75 in the first 15 overs,the debate is usually about if the next scoring shot that will take him to 52 or 54. But Iain OBrien got a delivery to rise unexpectedly and Sehwag edged it to the wicket-keeper. It was then Gambhirs turn for an encore,and the last Tests hero,who didnt look quite as solid as he was in Napier,was trapped lbw by the left-arm seamer James Franklin.

Battle for survival

An hour after lunch,there were anxious moments for Tendulkar and Dravid with local boys OBrien and Franklin bowling in tandem. As the two stuck to a teasing length,deliveries barely missed the edge and nudges fell just short of the fielders.

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But the experienced Indian pair still survived,and played that one special stroke which is usually a precursor to many. Tendulkar swatted a short of good length delivery from Chris Martin from the front foot,stroking it to the cover region for four. And Dravid rocked back on the backfoot to punch a ball from Vettori between extra cover and short mid off.

But just when they had broken the shackles,Tendulkars uncertainty outside the off stump led to his dismissal,and Dravid fell after mis-timing a pull. On a tough day for batting,India will still be happy looking at the bigger picture,with the score 375/9. If this effort helps them win the battle again,the well-decorated players wouldnt mind missing a few extra medals.

Sandeep Dwivedi

Sandeep Dwivedi is the Sports Editor at The Indian Express. He is one of India's most prominent sports journalists, known for his deep analytical insights and storytelling that often goes beyond scores and statistics to explore the human and cultural side of sports. Professional Profile Role: As the Sports Editor, he leads the sports coverage for the newspaper and the website. Weekly Column: He writes "The Sports Column," a weekly feature where he provides sharp, narrative-driven perspectives on the biggest sporting news of the week. Podcast: He is a frequent contributor to the "Express Sports" podcast (Game Time), where he discusses evolving trends in cricket and other international sports. Areas of Expertise While Dwivedi covers the entire sporting spectrum, his work is particularly noted in the following areas: Cricket: He provides extensive coverage of the Indian National Team and the IPL. He frequently analyzes the leadership styles of figures like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Gautam Gambhir. He is known for tracking the transition phases of Indian cricket and the evolution of specific players like Kuldeep Yadav and Rishabh Pant. Athletics & Olympic Sports: He has written extensively on Neeraj Chopra’s rise in javelin, the nuances of Indian shooting, and tennis legends like Sania Mirza and Leander Paes. Human Interest Stories: A hallmark of his writing is his focus on the struggles and backgrounds of athletes, such as the sacrifices made by Shafali Verma’s father or the "silent battles" of veteran players like Cheteshwar Pujara. Notable Recent Work & Themes Leadership and Dynamics: Recently, he has written about the dynamic between Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma, arguing that personal friendship is not a prerequisite for team success. Sports & Culture: His articles often intersect with global culture, such as his deep dive into the 100-year legacy of the Harlem Globetrotters and their role as American soft power during the Cold War. The "Grey Areas" of Sport: He often addresses sensitive topics like the mental health of cricketers post-retirement, the "outrage industry" in sports broadcasting, and the impact of fan-wars on the game. Tenure and Experience Dwivedi has been with The Indian Express for over three decades. This experience allows him to provide historical context to modern sporting events, often comparing current crises or triumphs to those of previous generations. You can follow his latest work and columns on his official Indian Express Author Profile. ... Read More

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