Vettori spins a web around India

As the first ball after tea saw Vettori ending Tendulkar’s four hour long struggle, New Zealand could dare to dream. As India finished at 390 for six, the last day’s equation became simple. The only chance for the Kiwis now to muster an unexpected win is to ensure a follow-on. For that they will need four wickets before VVS Laxman, who is unbeaten on 84, and the longish Indian tail manage 41 runs.

The day had started with Rahul Dravid and Virender Sehwag back in the hut early and that saw the start of the showcase event of the day.

Fleming’s strategy was simple: Vettori had to bowl a tight off-middle line with an off-side field packed with seven fielders. Vettori was spot on, in all the 40 deliveries that he bowled to Tendulkar, and the Indian maestro was in a spot of bother.

Tendulkar’s problem against left-arm spinners is the worst kept secret in international cricket and an area repeatedly exploited by the oppositions. The English had planned their plot with Ashley Giles and Zimbabweans had Ray Price.

But the Kiwis had a different approach and it was refreshing than all the others: Fleming was keeping it clean. While Giles and Price succeeded with the leg-side ploy but public outrage over the tactics had ensured Tendulkar got the sympathy. This wasn’t Fleming’s style.

In all of Vettori’s deliveries to Tendulkar they fell in three categories: the classic left-arm spinner, the armer and the away going ball. The only thing common about all these balls was the fact that all were unerringly bowled around the off stump and at a perfect length. Tendulkar just hit one four off Vettori and this is an indicator of the discipline with which the left-arm spinner bowled.

As a tribute to Vettori’s line, Tendulkar once during the innings changed his middle-leg guard to off-middle. The contest was at its peak during the lunch to tea session.

Tendulkar, despite being visibly out of touch, scratched around. Eight singles and one ‘two’ off Vettori meant Tendulkar the stroke player was somehow not allowed to emerge.

Talking about this situation, Vettori said after the match, ‘‘He seemed out of form, but he is a player who would change his batting approach to get back into the game.’’

As one has seen in the past, one felt that despite the discomfort Tendulkar would fight the odds and score a ton. With Vettori too well aware of it they tried a desperate move. He tried the old trick and went over-the-wicket with his line now focused on the leg-stump with a predominantly leg-side field. One thought Fleming had changed plan. But that was not to be. As Vettori bowled the first over after tea, he was back to round-the-wicket.

It was a deadly first ball to face after tea. A fastish armer had Tendulkar no time to react. The ball after a quick journey to the bat and pad reached the hands of Mark Richardson at silly point.

Vettori at the end of the day struck another blow. He had Parthiv Patel caught at short leg with a ball that jumped and turned and the writing was on the wall and clear.

New Zealand was not just back in the game but Vettori had made a point: A visiting spinner had made the better use of the local conditions once again.

One remembers Maninder Singh’s statement after the second day’s play. “One needs to bowl with a plan and with variety on this wicket. But our bowlers failed to do so,” he had said.

But today Vettori just did that.