Saurav brings luck, India end victory drought

There was a sense of impending defeat for the home team after South Africa, riding on a record opening stand, posted a mammoth total. The negative thoughts finding its roots from the fact that India has a reputation of being poor chasers.

Gary Kirsten and Herschelle Gibbs feasted on some purposeless Indian bowling to give their team a flying start. Gibbs lofted Ajit Agarkar high over cover and point boundaries to set the tempo. Kirsten took time to settle down. Butonce he did, he gave the bowlers a torrid time.

India’s woes were heightened by wicket-keeper Sameer Dighe, who muffed three easy stumpings. Gibbs was reprieved twice by the ‘keeper and then by the Robin Singh at square-leg. Kirsten was fortunate, too — Dighe the culprit, off Kumble.

Kirsten and Gibbs reached their ninth and third ODI tons in quick succession. Their 235-run for the first wicket bettered the South African record of 194 runs between Kirsten and Rindell against Pakistan in 1994-95.

It was part-time bowler Dravid who gave the much-needed breakthrough, inducing Kirsten to Jadeja at short point.

Dravid struck again when he had the dangerous Lance Klusener caught and bowled for no score.

A tired Gibbs was then gone when Agarkar latched on superbly to a heave over wide mid-wicket as India tightened the noose towards the final stages of the innings.

Saurav Ganguly gave a fitting riposte. He struck three elegant boundaries in the very first over, bowled by Shaun Pollock, and then repeated the act against Jacques Kallis. The advent of Hansie Cronje checked the run-flow.

But Pollock had Ganguly gliding into Mark Boucher’s gloves and Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid departed in the space of 12 runs as India were in a familiar position.

But Mohammed Azharuddin and Ajay Jadeja infused life, cuting out all flourishes and were content to pick runs in ones and twos. Azhar stepped on the accelerator after the drinks break, lofting Nickey Boje for a six. Jadeja took the cue as the game came alive again.

Just when Azhar looked set to get his fifty, Kallis had him caught at short mid-wicket. India were now 188-5.

Robin Singh joined a well-set Jadeja to upset SA’s calculations. They ran like hares and did not allow big-hitting chances as India were crept towards the target.

Jadeja clobbered Derek Crookes twice over the ropes and then struck Nantie Hayward straight over the sightscreen. Crookes dropped Jadeja twice at short point as he looked set to get another ton at this venue. But he sliced one from Cronje to Crookes, who held on this time.

In the final 10 overs India needed 59 runs for a win. A nervous Dighe joined Robin Singh but did not survive long. And it was left to Robin to shoulder the responsibility of guiding his side home. And he did it. But not before some drama in the final over.

Needing eight runs, got a single of the first ball, Pollock sent down a no-ball, picked two off the next and then Kumble’s attempted drive took the outside edge and flew towards the third man fence where Kallis dived and effected a stop. The batsman had run three and scores level. Umpire MR Singh called for the third umpires verdict on the legality of the stop. The green light blinked and the players walked off with the stands erupting in joy.

This elation was short-lived when the third umpire clarified that it was a clean stop and that India had to take one more run to win. With the spectators and officials on the ground for the presentation party there was utter chaos for a while. The players trooped in again. Robin Singh and Kumble scampered for a quick single to stamp India’s victory.